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Costumes, candy, and creepy-crawlies aren’t the only things you have to look forward to this spooky season. Houseplants can also set the mood for Halloween fun and make your place the talk of the town!
From arachnid-like features to carnivorous appetites, some plants have an array of spooky qualities that will prepare you for all sorts of Halloween mischief.
Check out these five strange plants that can liven up the spooky decor in your home!
1. Venus Fly Trap
If you’re a fan of Little Shop of Horrors, you’re probably somewhat familiar with the Venus Fly Trap. Venus Fly Traps are carnivorous plants that feed off of flies, spiders, crickets, and other insects. These fun (somewhat creepy) plants can be grown indoors or outdoors. The trick is to use the proper soil and care for this feisty creature to thrive.
Venus Fly Traps are bog plants that like their soil to be moderately moist. Be sure to use rainwater or reverse osmosis water for these plants since they don’t respond well to minerals and chlorine from tap water.
You’ll also want to make sure you only feed it 1-2 bugs per month during the spring and summer seasons. Once autumn arrives, the Venus Fly Trap will go into dormancy for the winter. Let it rest and watch it revive as spring arrives.
2. Monstrosa Orchid Cactus
This cactus has twisty, curly leaves that trail from the plant. These curls are actually a mutation of another plant, making it an odd and interesting addition to your spooky decor.
Monstrosa Orchid Cacti like bright, indirect sunlight and low-moisture soil—so be sure to check that the topsoil is dry before watering it. This low-maintenance plant has adapted to live in many different climates, so don’t stress too much about care. Just be sure not to overwater it!
This night-blooming beauty is just right for when you’re staying up late swapping spooky stories with your friends. Be on the lookout for those beautiful blossoms or you might miss them! They only open up in the dead of the night.
3. Spider Orchid
Aptly named for its appearance, the hair-raising Spider Orchid looks like it could crawl right off the vine! Spider Orchids need lots of room to grow, so put them in large pots they can live in for three to four years. Make sure to combine orchid bark into the soil and place the plant in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight.
Orchids are air plants, which means they survive on moisture from the air—and this plant’s flowers will bloom throughout the year depending on the intensity of the sunlight. Once they’ve fully bloomed, the flowers will be on display for six-eight weeks before moving into dormancy. When this happens, move it into a shaded spot to rest for six-eight weeks. The soil needs to remain fairly dry during this dormancy season, so don’t worry about watering it very often.
In nature, an orchid will collect moisture by anchoring itself to a tree trunk. So to turn up the scare factor in your home, place an object in the pot that your Spider Orchid can anchor to—making it appear as if it’s actually crawling upward.
4. Haworthiopsis Coarctata
Spotted and claw-like, this succulent makes for a wonderful and spooky addition to your home decor. This plant is slow-growing and not friendly to cold environments, so be sure to keep it in sunny and warm conditions. You can water it using the soak-and-dry method, which means you soak the soil and allow it to dry out completely.
This succulent has green flowers that appear in the summer. When the flowers bloom, a long stem comes from the center, appearing like a giant tongue. This plant’s claw-like leaves will remind you of creatures like Nosferatu and Edward Scissorhands, making it a spooky addition to your fall decor.
5. Old Man Cactus
If your spooky decor has a particularly ghoulish theme, then you’ll want to add the Old Man Cactus to your plant collection! This little guy grows white hair-like tufts all over its body resembling a favorite, friendly ghost. And much like Casper, this plant is great for small indoor areas and doesn’t take up much space.
The Old Man Cactus loves warm, dry climates and doesn’t need to be watered very often. Make sure it stays warm by keeping it out of the cold and in a sunny spot in your home. Be sure to inspect its hair regularly for pests that may try to hide in it.
Halloween can be a fun time to decorate your home in a unique way. As you prepare for this upcoming spooky season, don’t forget the fun and freaky factors these strange plants can bring to your decor! Before committing to any of them, be sure to call your local floral expert to make sure you can properly care for them and to see if they’re available in your area.
