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No soil or water needed: Macrame leaves inspired by houseplants for people without green thumbs

Let’s face it: only a handful of plants posted online by newly-minted plantitos and plantitas live to see the day (offline). It’s part of the experience actually. Getting to know new species and finding if it is suited in your environment and your capacity for caring. The fact is, not all people have green thumbs and it doesn’t help that most indoor spaces are not fit for plant habitation.

The feeling and warmth that these plants bring into any space are just priceless, which makes them all the more aspirational at a time when we spend our waking and sleeping hours indoors.

[READ: Being plantitos and plantitas is actually good for our mental health]

Lucky for us who can’t keep plants alive, there are hardy varieties like the snake plant, cactuses and many others which can endure long waterless days and less-experienced hands.

For those looking to cohabitate with another living thing other than their family members, but are not equipped with what one might call basic plant instincts, the next best option is—no, definitely not plastic plants but plant-like home decor like these macrame leaves.

[READ: 6 houseplants to buy for a better sleep]

Simple Sentiments, a line of macrame and other handmade woven accessories and home decorations, makes these wallhangings inspired by popular plant species like monstera, traveller’s palm, fan palm, yemane tree, alocasia and some other philodendrons.

You don’t need water, soil or fertilizer for these verdant pieces. Each leaf is about 16 square inches and comes in six different shades of green. An entire assemblage of these is 60 inches wide and 40 inches long.

The brand is known for its intricate pastel-colored feather wall hangings that look straight out of a Pinterest mood board. But, according to their Instagram page, the macrame leaves are even more difficult to make because of many factors.

“One, the cords are much longer and brushing them out has become more laborious. Two, the leaves need to be shaped as they dry. They sort of expand and shrink in different parts so we needed to keep adjusting until they dry out completely. Three, we needed to balance the different shades of green so that it’s much more visually appealing,” the post read.

[READ: Shower plants exist—here’s why you should grow one]

The set has yet to be available for purchase but according to Simple Sentiments, a selection will be made available this week on their website.

“Now we’re thinking whether to offer this as a set or maybe deconstruct to individual leaves,” the brand added.

Yes, shopping for new things—these macrame leaves included—gives you a certain serotonin hit, but so do working on small recreational hobbies like baking, cooking and yes, caring for plants. Speaking of hobbies, macrame kits are also available on Simple Sentiments’ website, if you want to be a little more hands-on on this plant-like project.

With its inclusions like an 8mm cotton cord, you can try your hand at making these woven leaves. Delivery is available through JRS Express nationwide and through Grab Express and pickup for Metro Manila.

Header photo courtesy of Simple Sentiments Instagram page

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Christian San Jose: