"My personal style of decor is specific, because I have a great love for the Modern movement, but I always want to keep it approachable by adding practical, grounded complements. My Noda Horo kettle is a good example of something that's very well designed, but pragmatic. Ideally, I'd always be surrounded by objects and decor that feel forever fresh." -Aurelia, UX Designer. View on The Landing.

What makes your space “you”? Bringing your own personality and flair to your home is one of the most enjoyable parts of decorating, and from the color palettes you lean towards to the houseplants you choose to nurture, every piece of your home is a reflection of the singularity that is you!

We asked some of our team members to envision their own character-filled home, and the results were delightful. Check out their creations and inspirations (we used The Landing mood board app), and don’t be afraid to create your own!

“I love color and shapes but worry too much about things clashing and always end up defaulting to white. The result is usually a clean, minimal space with a pop of color. That’s what I love so much about plants— their vibrancy is enough to bring a stark white room to life!” -Barbie, Head of Brand. View on The Landing.

Dracaena Lisa

Zanzibar Gem

Cascading Pothos

"I give myself free reign to indulge in everything I love when it comes to my home, which means lots of prints. It's a far cry from my taste in fashion, which is almost exclusively black. At home I have kilims, bizarre antiques, chinoiserie florals and lots of handmade baskets. I prize vintage over new items in almost every scenario, and have furniture from the 1890s to the 1970s. Material is key-- I'm still seeking a few perfect cane chairs." -Allison, Plant Stylist. View on The Landing.

“I’m full of contradictions when decorating. I despise clutter, yet I love to pile on the texture. I’m a Virgo so I can be a perfectionist, yet I prefer a perfectly imperfect look: a rogue chair, mismatched patterns… Above all I strive for coziness, and to me that means actually looking and feeling lived in (and yes that means accepting the occasional clutter, too!). And of course, no space would be really mine without my total couch potato of a dog, Duna :)” -Renée, Marketing Director. View on The Landing.

Bird's Nest Fern

Monstera Deliciosa

Rubber Plant

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Easy Care Plants, Delivered

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Photo Credit: Margaret Austin

Remote office need a little sprucing? Or perhaps there’s simply an absolute mess behind you, which you completely forgot tidy up before your 8am meeting. Of course a living plant will drastically improve your Zoom game, but in the meantime, here’s a gift from us to you: a few backdrops to instantly put some lush greenery in your corner! Tested by our team and Plant Stylist approved, you can’t go wrong with a beautiful, plant-filled background.

How to use: simply right click, save, and upload to Zoom! Keep in mind that once you’ve set it as your background, the logo will read backwards for you (but not your audience).

Working In Paradise

Morning Light

Urban Oasis

At Home With Léon & George

Parisian Cafe

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Indoor plants, potted & delivered

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

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Photo: The Whinery

Nothing enriches indoor spaces quite like plants. They add texture, vivacity and vibrant color to interiors while doing double-duty by purifying the air. Of course, we could go on and on about their benefits all day. But when you combine them with our second favorite of nature’s inventions (coffee!) we are almost speechless with delight! Check out the incredible cafes below that have incorporated living greenery in magical and bountiful ways. 

Coffee & Plants

Photo: Coffee & Plants

Located in beautiful, sunny Pasadena, this cafe has exactly what we all need: Coffee and Plants! Featuring an Instagram-worthy wall of living greenery, cascades of rich crimson roses and an entirely-plant based menu, Coffee and Plants is well worth the trip- and pet-friendly!

62 W. Union Street, Pasadena

Seesaw Coffee

Photo: Shiun Quian

An ode to an exceptional tree. We confess to slight Game of Thrones flashbacks with the breathtaking emphasis Seesaw Coffee’s Beijing location has placed on their central, expansive tree feature. But the greenery doesn’t stop there- lush, jungle-like greenery abounds in this aesthetic marvel, designed by Nota Architects.

433 Yuyuan Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai

The Starbucks Cafe at Yomiuriland’s Yani-Biyori Greenhouse

Photo: Yomiuri Land

You’ve never seen a cafe quite like this! Yomiurland’s is replete with cascading greenery and flowering plants. Trust an iconic garden to go all-out with their new cafe. Even the Starbucks sign is made of living plants! 

Yanokuchi, 4015-1, Yomiuriland

Coperaco Cafe

Photo: Ewout Huibers

Crowned with a canopy of trawling ivy, Jersey City’s Coperaco Cafe features gorgeous, blonde wood slat construction and breathtaking marble as well as some of the most lush indoor greenery we’ve had the pleasure to witness. A cafe, treehouse and greenhouse in one-- it doesn’t get better than that! 

777 S. 3rd St, Harrison, NJ

Petersham Nurseries Cafe

Photo: Petersham Nurseries Cafe

Another gem of an English garden, Petersham Nurseries Cafe is an elegant restaurant in a traditional glasshouse. Featuring an array of gorgeous live flowers, (jasmine and bougainvillea feature prominently) this beautiful restaurant features seasonal, local food and breathtaking centerpiece bouquets. With pom-poms of hydrangeas, fragrant roses and exquisite desserts, who could possibly ask for more! 

Off Church Ln, Petersham Rd, Richmond

Dalloway Terrace

Photo: Dalloway Terrace

Nestled in London’s Bloomsbury District, you’ll find Dalloway Terrace: a gorgeous indoor/outdoor eatery and cafe, complete with classic striped awnings and bentwood cane seating. With fruiting citrus trees trained in beautiful trellises and classic, English greenery, Dalloway Terrace brings to mind the very best of a UK vacation. Perfect for toting a John LeCarre novel and dining al fresco! 

16-22 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London

Arvo Cafe

Photo: The Whinery

No surprise that Honolulu would feature some of the most stunning and vibrant tropical plants in the U.S.! And with its indoor and outdoor areas absolutely abound with greenery, it’s the perfect place to grab a lunch of sustainably harvested fare and relax in the sun. 

324 Coral Street at SALT, Honolulu

3 Arts Club Cafe

Photo: 3 Arts Club Cafe

An absolute stunner both architecturally (this restaurant is housed in an enormous, elegant glass house) and in terms of its abundant greenery, the 3 Arts Club Cafe is housed in Chicago’s glorious Restoration Hardware. Luxe seating and verdant trees surround its iconic central fountain. 

1300 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago

Fleur Universelle

Photo: Fleur Universelle

We’ve never seen anything quite like Tokyo’s Fleur Universelle. Featuring a flower shop and tea shop, chock-full of gorgeous blooms and situated behind a statuesque tree, this hidden gem is straight out of a fairytale. It even has a fantasy-worthy treehouse, accessible by ladder! 

3F Fleur Universelle, 5-15-11 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo

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INDOOR PLANTS, POTTED & DELIVERED

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New this summer, our hand-picked collection of outdoor potted plants was inspired by the tradition of Mediterranean container gardening and our personal connection to Southern California’s legendary climate. We are so excited to bring you beautiful outdoor plants that will flourish and adorn your outdoor space for years to come. Each plant is sourced from our trusted, California-based nursery partners, and nurtured from the very start for a lifetime of good health and strength. 

You don’t need ample outdoor space to enjoy the magic of watching a tree grow, thrive, and bring forth delicate foliage and glistening, colorful fruit. We’ve ensured that this pleasure is accessible to all our customers, by pairing our outdoor plants with weatherproof, hand-finished ceramic stoneware pots that are suitable for small and large spaces alike. Whether you’re decorating a small balcony or a spacious entryway, these outdoor plants are a perfect fit.

The varieties we’ve chosen for this collection are classic legacy plants, with timeless, painterly  silhouettes and the strength to thrive over years and become a part of your home’s heritage. They create enchanting focal points for the welcoming atmosphere of porches, doorways or patios, and are a natural complement to our indoor plant varieties. With their requirement for generous light, these new plant varieties are intended exclusively for outdoor placement.

The Olive Tree and Bush, Olea europaea have elegant, silvery green foliage, and are naturally both pest and drought resistant. With generous light, these varieties produce a profusion of fruit within months, featuring a classic olive flavor profile and rich in antioxidants.

The Meyer Lemon Tree and Bush, Citrus meyeri, are adorned with vibrant green foliage and emanate an enchanting, fresh citrus aroma. With ample light, and over the course of several months, these varieties push forth delicate, white blossoms and exquisite, sun-sweetened fruit. From cocktails to baked goods, you’ll always find a good use for your Meyer lemons. 

The Sago Palm, Cycas revoluta, is a textural dream, with feathery, high-gloss fronds and a richly tactile, deep mahogany trunk. With their preference for indirect bright light, Sagos are well situated for outdoor areas that receive some shade. Slow growers, Sagos have been known to live for hundreds of years. 

Shop our new collection of luscious greenery for inspired outdoor spaces.

Have you ever wondered when humans began keeping houseplants? We did, so we took a break from trimming our Braided Money Trees and did a bit of research. It turns out the history of houseplants goes way, way back. And while we all know about some, iconic plant/human pairings (Persephone and her pomegranate, Eve and a certain Tree of Knowledge, the list goes on!) we wanted to delve deep into the history of potted, indoor houseplants in particular. After all, they’re our passion! 

So take a stroll into the past with us to learn about the history of potted houseplants, and how they’ve grown to become the steadfast interior accent they are today!

The very first indoor plants

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the practice of indoor gardening with potted plants can be traced back to the early Greeks and Romans. Older civilizations like Ancient Egypt, India, and China also made use of potted plants, but mostly in outdoor spaces and courtyards. For pots, terracotta reigned supreme-- with the exception of the Ancient Romans, who gravitated toward marble planters (so chic!).

Japanese, Vietnamese and Chinese cultures have unique traditions of dwarfing trees for ornamental purposes, known variably as Hòn Non Bộ, Penjing and Bonsai. These plants were designed to reflect the form of fully-grown trees in nature, and were often accompanied by decorative rocks and even water features to simulate natural landscapes.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, in what is now modern-day Iraq, even featured a custom garden, specially curated for the wife of King Nebuchadnezzar II. It showcased the foliage of her homeland, with date trees, statuesque cedars and meadows.

The Renaissance and Beyond

The Middle Ages weren’t great for houseplants, or, it can be argued, for much of anything! During this period in Europe, cultivated indoor plants were largely restricted to monasteries, and plants were grown for practical purposes (primarily for food and medicine) rather than for pleasure or aesthetics.

So, thank goodness for the Renaissance and the cultural transformations it ushered in! During the renaissance, orangeries came in vogue, and global exploration, a la Christopher Columbus, meant that an influx of new-world foliage was brought home to showcase in Europe. 

The Ultimate Horticulturists: 1840-1930

With industrialization and the Victorian era, ordinary peoples’ homes were beginning to resemble more closely the homes we know today. They were warmer, thanks to central heating from coal or iron furnaces, which allowed people to take their cultivation of indoor houseplants to new heights. Ferns were exceptionally popular for their dense, luxurious foliage, and were often placed in pillar-style containers called jardiniere. Other plants that we still know and love (and sell on Léon & George!) were popular as well, like Cast Iron Plants and Kentia Palms. 

In the late 1920s, potted houseplants became available on the market for the first time (prior to this period, it was necessary to grow one’s houseplants from bulbs or seeds). The first nursery to offer potted houseplants to the market was based in Southern California-- truly a dream land for plants, and where Léon & George is based today! 

The remarkable ease of purchasing potted, grown houseplants inspired a tremendous wave of new plant owners. Plant and garden societies sprouted wildly, and fashion and interior design trends were replete with florals and botanical prints. 

Earth-First Decor: the 1960s and 1970s 

The 1960s and 1970s were all about reverence for greenery and nature. Pothos varieties, Staghorn Ferns and more were used to create fecund indoor jungles, often paired with macrame, hand-built ceramics, and nature-themed decor. Many of the current trends in plant styling are throwbacks to this fertile time of peace, love and plant worship.

Minimal Accents: the 1980s and 1990s

The 1980s and 1990s looked to the future (and sometimes to space!) for stylistic inspiration. Popular materials were minimal and fresh, like glass, lucite and industrial metal. Plant styling took a backseat during the 1980s, and stylish designers limited their greenery to thoughtfully placed focal plants which played well with gleaming surfaces and geometric designs. 

The 1990s brought with them a resurgence in popularity of the orchid. From Susan Orlean’s The Orchid Thief to high-fashion prints worn by the likes of Madonna, orchids were the ultimate iconoclastic plant variety of the 90s, blending femininity with their famously sculptural silhouettes.

The Aughts to Today

Houseplants experienced a resurgence in popularity in the early 2000s, and have remained steadfast components of interior decor trends for the last two decades, with water-wise varieties holding court in the spotlight for the last twenty years. As our climate changes and we embrace minimalism, (then maximalism!) the junglelow (and the drought garden!), vibrant, easy-care varieties like succulents, cacti and hardy plants like Snake Plants or sansevierias continue to reign supreme. 

Credit: Encyclopedia Brittanica & Mirror80

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Indoor plants, potted & delivered.

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Spring styling may be in full swing, but so are occasional cat naps during those cozy April showers. From dining room set ups (who’s ready to host again?!) to living room jungles, we love seeing your #LeonAndGeorge moments at home. See which posts our Plant Stylists admired the most this month, and make sure to keep tagging us to show off your style!

Taking cat-napping very, very seriously with the pet-safe Cast Iron Plant.

@emmalwillet

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Gorgeous spring styling by the talented Los Angeles based designer Brittaney Elise. Is there a plant that says “fresh” as much as the Bird of Paradise?

@brittaneyelise

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We love seeing your plants and pets! Especially when they’re this cute (not just the puppy, the Silver Evergreen, too!).

@danniremender

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Spot the pup! Good luck finding him in this indoor jungle, featuring big beauties like the Bird of Paradise and Kentia Palm. A tastefully verdant living room like this is a dream come true.

@theweekendmixologist

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Money can’t grow on trees, but if something this cute could bring some good luck, why not give it a try?! This little Braided Money Tree is well taken care of with our new moisture meters (included with all large and XL plant sets!).

See on Instagram→

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What makes a ceramic pot such a high-value object? It’s not just the sensation of luxury and permanence that they imbue an environment with. Functionality and quality are also key, for reasons both pragmatic and aesthetic. 

At Léon and George, we believe that stoneware ceramic pots are the natural choice of vessel with which to pair our plants, and we’d love to tell you why. The history of ceramics is fascinating, and we think you’ll agree that it takes more than a little alchemy to craft the perfect ceramic pot for a beloved plant.

A Little History

Ceramic was first fired in high-heat kilns as long ago as the 1700 BCE in China, during the Shang dynasty period. The pottery from this period was stunning and surprisingly modern— from geometric vessel shapes to incised etching and vibrant glazes, this early pottery feels almost uncannily aligned with current trends. True style never expires, we suppose! As history progressed, ceramics evolved, reflecting the aesthetic trends of their era and serving a host of practical functions. 

The Material World

Léon and George pots are constructed of stoneware, a mixture containing predominantly clay, as well as kaolinite, mica and quartz among other minerals. These ingredients, combined with the process of firing the clay in super-high heat, combine to ensure that stoneware is exceptionally strong, while still being able to maintain stunningly vivid and delicate glazing. 

Stoneware and high-fire clay feature superior waterproofing, and high-fire clay pots are extra-hard and durable. These vessels are resistant to cracking and chipping, and gleam with a gorgeous finish. 

Details, Details

The devil’s in the details, and ceramics have long inspired the creative imagination. From the opulence of porcelain (Miessen, Limoges and so much more) to the fantastically functional and moderne stoneware ceramics of the Mid-Century (we love Gainey, Bauer, Heath and of course Homer Loughlin’s Fiestaware) the lines and shapes that make up a ceramic pot are exceptionally deliberate design details.

Shop our handmade ceramic planters here.

Story and Sustainability

A well-loved object is a talisman, with a value that exists outside of the world of currency and cost. Quality ceramics are made to last (and Léon and George’s pots are no exception). The process of creating ceramics is deeply connected with the earth— after all, at their essence, they are clay. So sustainable manufacturing practices are paramount for a valuable ceramic pot: a luxury, but also a necessity. 

We’re design enthusiasts here at Léon and George, and the meeting of function with form is a constant obsession for us. So we hope you’ll take a look at our collection of hand-glazed, hand-finished ceramics, crafted in our proprietary lightweight and waterproof stoneware.

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Indoor plants, potted & delivered

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

SHOP NOW

Spring is here and with it the urge to open the windows, let the fresh air in, and roll up our sleeves for a bit of spring cleaning. Of course there’s nothing quite as fresh as a living, breathing, and air cleaning plant! See how our customers are styling their homes and freshening up their spaces with their favorite #LéonAndGeorge plant sets this spring!

Who said spring had to be bright florals? A gorgeously moody celebrity makeover for @caitylotz, featuring both the Rubber Tree and Red Congo.

@brittaneyelise

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If this isn’t t he cutest photo of our Monstera ever taken, we don’t know what is.

@poppyonperry

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Her caption states it perfectly: wishing spring into existence with the Zanzibar Gem.

@rebekah_bailey

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Acing the accent game with an adorable Pilea Peperomiodes, the perfect little dose of bright spring vibes.

@modernhousevibes

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There’s never a bad time for a home office makeover, especially with an extra tall Snake Plant serving as the perfect anchor for this minimalist space.

See on Instagram→

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February’s over already?! That seems to always be the sentiment, year after year. And with spring just around the corner, our days are a bit longer and things feel a bit brighter, especially after the eternity that was January! Before we roll up our sleeves and dig into spring refresh and cleaning, let’s savor the quiet days of winter and the coziness of our favorite people (or pets?!) — we saw a lot of them this month in your favorite #leonandgeorge moments this month at home!

We love to see your before and after photos! Especially when they include a gorgeous Cascading Pothos as the final touch.

@just.paint.it.white

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Basking in that morning light, with the (pet-friendly!) Cast Iron Plant.

@oh_charlyboy

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If this isn’t a perfect moment then we don’t know what is! Welcoming home a new Monstera Deliciosa, side by side with a Bird of Paradise.

@siegejol

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A color coordinated plant shelfie with the Jade Pothos.

@thenamestesa

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We’re not sure what we love best about this. The dreamy mudroom, the perfectly placed Bird of Paradise, or the pup! @greenandgrainstyle

See on Instagram→

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Flowers or plants? Have both, with these easy care flowering plants for indoors.

There’s no denying the beauty of fresh flowers, but wouldn’t it be nice if they lasted longer than a week or two? Luckily there’s more ways than one to bring nature’s beauty into your home, and flowering plants for indoors are a great way to enjoy both fresh flowers and fresh greenery year round.

With the right care, many flowering plants can last for years and even decades, bringing fresh blooms and beauty without pause. While some flowering plants will only bloom a couple times a year while indoors, others will bloom year round with just minimal care.

At Léon & George, we also know how much you love to send plants to your loved ones near and far; after all, plants are a symbolic and attractive gift for any occasion. But sometimes the occasion calls for flowers, which is why we’re thrilled to introduce our first collection of flowering plants for indoors. Combining the ephemeral beauty of cut flowers with the enduring longevity of potted plants, we’re happy to say that you no longer have to choose!

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or for a gift, here are a few of our favorite flowering plants, potted in our signature handcrafted ceramic planters and acclimated for life indoors.

Queen of Spades Anthurium

Dramatic in looks yet unfussy in character, this Anthurium is a head turner to say the least. Bright light and water once a week are all this plant needs to bloom year round.

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Snowdrop Calandiva

As a member of the succulent family, it should be no surprise that the Calandiva is an incredibly hardy houseplant. With small clusters of white flowers that last 6-8 weeks, this plant generally blooms in winter and spring, though it can be easily “tricked” into blooming year round.

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Peace Lily

A popular, incredibly resilient indoor plant, the Peace Lily has lush, deep green foliage complimented by delicate white spathes, attractive flower-like leaves that can last for months.

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King of Hearts Anthurium

Bright scarlet red flowers are what make this small Anthurium the perfect alternative to a bouquet of roses. Though there is no fragrance, with bright light the plant will continuously produce fresh flowers for years to come.

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January often gets a bad rap. The holidays are over, New Year’s resolutions are on, and of course, it’s very cold out, yet winter has barely just begun. All the same, it can be a month filled with new beginnings, inspired by our instinct to seek out light and levity and prepare for the year ahead. There’s never a better time than January to bring in a leafy roommate or two: to brighten up the space, to cure the winter blues, or simply to start the year off on the right foot. Here are our favorite #LeonAndGeorge moments of January!

When your Monstera grows like crazy, even in the dead of winter.

@thistleharvest

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It’s all about the details, like this lovely console moment with a Jade Pothos.

@thenamestesa

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A perfect pop of green in this subtle yet colorful living room set up, featuring the Bird of Paradise.

@kirankhabradesign

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Just one Monstera Deliciosa is all it takes to complete this bright bedroom sanctuary.

@theworldvillageproject

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A large Snake Plant in good, colorful company!

@sheroames

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Two Texans turned New Yorkers, R’el & Marcus (@theplaceiwastellingyouabout) share the warm space they come home to after adventures discovering everything their city —and beyond—has to offer.

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How did you know this home was for you?

Honestly we were on the fence about this apartment. But we fell In love with neighborhood and our bedroom light. It faces south west without any buildings blocking the sun throughout the day, which is a pretty lucky thing when you live in NYC. After adding our own personal touches like light fixtures and art the place really started coming together.

An adorable Fig, and an adorable pup.

What inspires you when you decorate?

We really get inspired from the places we see along our travels. When we see so many unique ways to style and decorate, it makes us want go home and change some things.

A Fiddle Leaf Fig and Monstera Deliciosa bask in the afternoon sunlight.

What are your plant care secrets?

We are constantly learning all the time about plants, which is one thing we really like about owning plants. But, we would say one of our plant care secrets would be, don’t be afraid to give your plant a real shower in the tub. We saw a huge difference in our plants when we started giving them showers especially before travel. Also, one of our good friends Jeremy recently gave us a water metering tool and it’s been a game changer.

All photos by R’el Dade and Marcus Lloyd. Find them on Instagram or their blog to follow along their adventures!

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Monstera Deliciosa

Fiddle Leaf Fig Bush

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