Weekend Expedition

Makeovers, Mishaps, and the Raemoir Recruitment

This past weekend was a whirlwind adventure. It began with a much-needed spring clean and ended with a celebratory afternoon tea for Taylor’s Aunt’s 21st (definitely not 72nd!) Birthday. But as any true jungle explorer knows, a family outing is always a prime opportunity for a rescue mission.

The Great Living Room Re-Zone

On Saturday, we woke up with the “Spring Clean” itch. We spent the morning decluttering, watering, and re-imagining our living room compositions. We introduced two major structural changes to our jungle:

The “Lego & Moss” Shelf: We found a circular metal shelving unit at a charity shop that finally gave our Marimo Moss Jar (created at Highland Moss last year) the stage it deserved. We styled it alongside an IKEA Gasteria succulent, a 3D-printed octopus, and our LEGO Tiny Plants collection—a perfect low-maintenance corner for those of us curating a balanced jungle.
The Hanging Horizon: We repurposed a disused curtain pole to house our hanging collection. We used geometric pots to give our Devil’s Ivy (Pothos) a fresh start. This Pothos took a heavy beating during the Great Thrip Outbreak of 2025, and while it survived, it’s been looking a bit weary. We’re hoping this new vertical home—alongside our String of Hearts—is exactly the “sky-high” motivation it needs.

The Window Cleaning Chain Reaction

Of course, it wouldn’t be a day in our house without a little drama. While cleaning the windows, a misplaced elbow triggered a catastrophic chain reaction. One knocked pot led to five casualties: a Flaming Katy, a Snake Plant, a Spider Plant, a Haworthia, and a Christmas Cactus.

As frustrating as it was to see our hard work literally hit the floor, we treated it as a “forced opportunity.” It was the perfect excuse to refresh their soil, check their roots, and ensure they were properly hydrated after their tumble.

The Recruitment Drive: Raemoir Garden Centre

On Sunday, after a lovely afternoon tea at Raemoir Garden Centre, we went scouting. Their current range is heavy on foliage, and we couldn’t resist bringing home a few new recruits for the family:

Christmas Cactus: A much fuller, bushier specimen than our current “clumsy” survivor.
Euphorbia Milli (Crown of Thorns): Currently flowerless, but the leaves are vibrant and healthy. A classic “tough-as-nails” addition.
Codiaeum (Croton): Bold, fiery red and green leaves that add an instant pop of color.
False Aralia: The delicate, dark texture of this one provides a perfect contrast to the vibrant Croton.

📍 Jungle Pro-Tip: The “Accidental” Repot

Turn a Spill into a Skill: If you accidentally knock over a plant, don’t just scoop the dirt back in. Use the moment to inspect the roots for rot or pests. It’s the universe giving you a chance to do a “health check” without the guilt of disturbing the plant on purpose!

Todays Specials Guests

The newest members of the family, currently in VIP quarantine.

Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii): A thorny, architectural beauty. It’s built like a fortress and can handle the brighter, drier spots in our home.
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum): The “Artist” of the group, bringing high-definition reds and oranges to our foliage-heavy collection.
False Aralia (Plerandra elegantissima): Sophisticated and moody with dark, lacy leaves—the perfect “Gothic” contrast to our brighter tropicals.
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera): A fuller, bushier recruit brought in to bolster the ranks after our “window-cleaning mishap.”

The established members who just moved into their new “High-End” displays.

The Hanging Horizon (The Curtain Pole Display)

Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum): Our resilient Pothos. After surviving the 2025 Thrip Outbreak, it’s finally getting the vertical space it needs to trail and thrive.
String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii): The delicate, cascading partner to the Pothos, adding a touch of romance to our new geometric hanging pots.

The Metal Frame Unit (The “Curio” Zone)

Marimo Moss (Aegagropila linnaei): Our underwater “pet” from Highland Moss. It finally has a shelf that does its unique, spherical shape justice.
Gasteria Succulent: Stationed alongside our Lego Tiny Plants Collection, this small Ikea Succulent has brought together the great contrast between artificial Lego plants and the aquatic feel of the Marimo Moss jar.

The Recovery & Redesign Zone

The “Window Survivors”: After their accidental tumble, our Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum), Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana), Zebra Haworthia (Haworthiopsis fasciata), Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera) and Moonshine Snake Plant (Sansevieria) have been freshly potted and given a hydration boost.