Greener on the Other Side
Bringing the Outdoors In
Summer is officially upon us, so there’s no better time to treat your indoors to a taste of what lies beyond its walls – we’re talking plants.
Truth be told, adding pot plants can do wonders to an indoor space. Not only do they add a touch of life, they cleanse the air around us, refresh oxygen levels, and can make us feel relaxed and happier. Nowadays, we often see houseplants featured in every picture perfect setting – that new hipster café or that cool Instagram post – they’re even fast becoming a status symbol!
However, there’s so much more that goes into buying a plant than just finding something that looks nice. For example, you need to know its needs, consider the difficulty levels involved – i.e. care and attention, because let’s be honest, many of us do tend to forget about them at some point!
So, being the novice that I am on this subject, I decided to hunt out some expert advice – Holly McDowell, plant-lover and director of Lush Lane – was my winning ticket.
Newfound respect
“Plants have made a ‘resurgence’ in interior design,” says Holly.
“There’s a new respect for indoor plants, people now see the difference they make to a space; they like to experiment with different styles in various spaces; and even opt to gift plants instead of flowers.”
Top tips to help them thrive…
- Natural light: For plants, light is food. Give them bright, indirect sunlight i.e. close to a window, but out of direct sun or they will burn.
- Watering: Balance the frequency and volume of water. Most indoor plants prefer the top soil to dry in between watering. If you can see something wrong in the foliage or colour, you’re most likely watering too often.
- Repotting: Normally once a year,around spring is the best time.
- TLC: This involves picking off deadheads, dusting, turning the pot, fertilise once a month.
Holly’s top three plants for beginners…
Rubber Tree
This one is a classic easy-care indoor tree and can grow to the ceiling when cared for correctly.
Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law’s tongue)
These can survive weeks without watering, are tolerant of low light and are pretty forgiving of neglect.
ZZ Plant
These are also super easy to care for, they don’t require direct sunlight, and only need watering when the soil is completely dried out. (Undoubtedly one of the easiest plants to keep alive.)