Tables Transform My Porch

November 26, 2025

Decorating doesn't have to be expensive or burdensome - just moving existing pieces of furniture can transform and refresh any room.

I always like to keep a collection of interesting container plants in my enclosed porch where I can see them every day. Most of my houseplants are kept in the greenhouse, so they can be closely maintained and then moved to my Winter House when I am home. For some time, I've been thinking about where I could put two unused long marble-topped tables. It finally came to me that they would be perfect for the porch - to hold many of my potted specimens, such as Rhipsalis, Dracaena, forced paper whites and amaryllis, and so many others.

Enjoy these photos.

: My porch is a lovely space for displaying houseplants. The floor to ceiling windows allow lots of light and the plants surround my desk, where I can enjoy them while writing or while attending remote meetings.

: I fill the spaces on both sides of the door with appealing and interesting specimens. All the furniture, including these plant stands, are black and the pots are natural light gray clay.

: But then I had the idea to move in these two tables – narrow marble-topped tables on strong, black cast iron legs, that fit perfectly. They brighten up the porch right away.

: I asked my head gardener, Ryan McCallister, to arrange the plants on the tables and add some more to the collection.

: Ryan and my housekeeper, Enma Sandoval, worked together. Enma brought in plates. Whenever I decorate with plants, I use silver, copper, glass, or white plates, purchased from tag sales or antiques fairs, under the pots to catch any water. I find them more decorative than the clay saucers that come with the pots.

: The plates are selected individually for each pot. Make sure it is wider than the bottom of the container.

: Some of the plants here right now include this potted rhipsalis. It is native to the rainforests of South America, the Caribbean and Central America. Rhipsalis is a cacti genus with approximately 35 distinct species. I have many types of rhipsalis growing in my greenhouse.

: Rhipsalis specimens have long, trailing stems making them perfect choices as indoor hanging plants.

: Also known as chain cactus or mistletoe cactus, the thread-like succulent stems on the cactus are narrow, green and in can grow several feet long.

: These plants prefer bright, indirect light. Rhipsalis plants also appreciate a good misting now and again and watering about once a week, or whenever the soil becomes dry.

: Displayed on its own or with other specimens, rhipsalis plants always get lots of attention.

: If you like growing plants, but don’t really have a lot of time to care for them, consider growing succulents. Succulents, which includes the cactus family, require very little maintenance. These plants are able to survive prolonged drought because they store moisture in their fleshy stems, roots, and leaves.

: This is Euphorbia lactea is also known as a “Coral Cactus.” It is a species native to tropical Asia, mainly in India. The showy part of the plant, the section that resembles coral, is called the crest. The ridges are spiny, with short spines.

: On the other side of the porch is a jade plant, Crassula ovata – another popular succulent characterized by its thick, woody stems and shiny, oval shaped leaves. It’s well known for its ease of care – it can live for many years if maintained properly.

: And look who is watching all the redecorating. It’s Lilium, my brown Persian longhaired cat. She is one of four cats that live with me in my Winter House.

: And this is Dahlia, a dilute calico Persian. My cats love to lounge in this enclosed porch.

: Dracaena has strap-like leaves that emerge in a fountain-like cluster from a thick woody stem. This plant can grow as much as six feet in height when grown as a potted plant. In outdoor settings, it has been known to grow up to 20 feet.

: On one end, I have these potted Monarch ferns. They are tropical ferns native to the Western Pacific Rim and loved for their glossy, green foliage.

: Forcing is the process of speeding up a bulb’s development by simulating the conditions of winter and spring – it’s a way of fooling Mother Nature and tricking the bulb to bloom before its natural time. These paper whites were started last month and they’re developing so beautifully.

: These are forced amaryllis. It won’t be long before they bloom.

: If you’re hosting this Thanksgiving and getting your home ready for guests, look around, switch some furniture, add a few houseplants – and watch the space transform. Redecorating with items you already have is easy… and a very good thing.