Handsome Houseplants
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Handsome Houseplants
Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash
You may be limited with jobs in the garden particularly when the weather is poor during the colder winter months, so why not connect the indoors with the outdoors. Selecting plants for the home has many health benefits both physically and psychologically.
Physical health benefits
Less breathing problems created by better indoor air quality through the removal of VOCs like Benzene and Formaldehyde.
Reduces blood pressure
Reduced fatigue and headaches by 25%
Psychological benefits
Improved mood
Reduced stress levels
Improved attention span
So now you know why plants are beneficial for the home, next you need to know what your plants need to thrive.
Remember these basic considerations:
1. Temperature
2. Light levels
3. Humidity
4. Watering & Feeding
Temperature
Due to our climate in the UK we may be limited to growing plants in our gardens based on their ability to survive cold temperatures. This is described as their hardiness. Tender plants which are less hardy require warmer temperatures to survive and may only be displayed in the garden during the warmer summer months or if you’re lucky enough to have one, a conservatory or greenhouse throughout the year.
Most homes usually maintain a temperature of 12-25ºc ideal for growing a variety of plants.
Light Levels
I personally find it more satisfying to walk into a room to see plants thriving in the right conditions then to see plants wilting and dying, I’m sure everyone would agree. So the importance of observing your environment is paramount to success. Like in the garden you wouldn’t place a shade plant in bright sun or a sun loving plant in the shade as that’s just asking for trouble. The same goes indoors. Observe the light coming in throughout the day and determine whether or not you have a bright room or one with low light. Most plants require either bright or direct light, indirect or filtered light or low light.
Humidity
Humidity is slightly trickier to measure unless you have a hydrometer or an appropriate measuring device. Humidity can be friend or foe to plant success. Plants grown in rainforest and jungle environments love a humid environment however desert plants like cacti and succulents prefer drier areas. Radiators can dry the air and decrease humidity and this could affect the placement of your new plant. Bathrooms are a great place for high humidity loving plants providing the other environmental conditions are right.
To increase humidity there are a number of methods.
Placing plants close together can create a microclimate increasing humidity naturally.
By placing the potted plant atop of some wet pebbles can also achieve this.
You can also buy humidifiers which can also help. Victsing is a highly rated humidifier also used as a nightlight and essential oil diffuser.
Watering & Feeding
Watering and feeding is another essential part of plant success and due to growing indoors, it doesn’t receive water naturally through rain.
This in my opinion is a problem area for a lot of people and overwatering or under watering often leads to plant death. With all the other considerations in place overwatering seems to be the one thing that I see most as the cause for plant death. Unlike outdoor pots which contain drainage holes to let water escape from beneath, indoor pots do not, meaning in most cases the plant sits in water creating anoxic conditions. If a plant remains in anoxic conditions for too long it can lead to ethanol poisoning through prolonged anaerobic respiration in the plant, in turn killing it.
To prevent this try to prop up the plant inside the larger plant pot; this will prevent the plant sitting in the water. Also when watering, water thoroughly and allow it to drain before returning to the container.
Knowing when to water and feed is specific to the plants needs and information on this can usually be found on the plant label when purchasing or online.
So you know why plants are beneficial indoors and you now know what they need to thrive.
Now to have some fun and find the perfect plant and how to display it.
There are so many unique and quirky ways to display your plants. Look out for unusual containers from car boot sales or charity shops and turn unwanted items into talking points. I have made a few terrariums one of which is made from an old fish bowl.
In this I have made a rocky arid landscape with the addition of some Tillandsia (Air plants). I’ve also made a beach landscape with old driftwood and shells also with air plants in a long glass terrarium.
Try grouping contrasting plants together in different and unusual pots.
You can really be as creative as you like with this and are only limited by your imagination.
So here’s some ideas of plants to get you on your way to creating your indoor jungle.
Tillandsia
Air Plants
Tillandsias are great plants and require very little care. Most Tillandsia species are epiphytes and some are aerophytes, which have a minimal root system and grow on shifting desert soil or on hang in the air on tree branches. They are known as airplants as they are covered in specialised cells capable of rapidly absorbing ambient humidity. These are great low maintenance plants and there are over 650 species to choose from. If you’re looking for something quirky these are a great choice. I buy my Tillandsias from www.lovetillys.co.uk, They have a great range to choose from and lots of helpful information.
Cacti & Succulents
Cacti and succulents are excellent houseplants that are low in maintenance and require little watering. There is such a huge variety of texture and colour. I really love these plants and are a personal favourite of mine.
Under the right conditions some cacti can produce some beautiful flowers. I’m currently propagating over 50 varieties of cacti and succulents in my heated propagator in my office/ indoor garden. I have found there to be a good variety of cacti amongst other indoor plants at Ikea. However if you want the joy of nurturing a cacti or succulent from seed like me check out www.chilternseeds.co.uk.
Sansevieria
Mother-in-Law’s tongue
My Houseplant hero commonly known as Snake plant or Mother-in-laws tongue. This plant is hard as nails and can really stand up for itself. According to a NASA clean air study, Sansevieria trifasciata is capable of purifying the air by removing toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. Sansevierias use the crassulacean acid metabolism process, which absorbs carbon dioxide at night, although oxygen is released during daylight. Nighttime absorption of carbon dioxide purportedly makes them especially suitable for bedroom plants. I have two of these in my house, one of which is a Sansevieria trifaciata and the other a Sansevieria bacularis 'Mikado'. If you’d like to get your hands on a Sansevieria check out www.crocus.co.uk.
Begonia rex
Cultorum group
Another of my absolute favourites, the stunning Begonia rex. There is a huge variety of these beauties and I would love to collect more. The only thing stopping me is space! The broad leaves come in all different shapes, and colours. They really do brighten up a room and are so visually appealing.
If you’d like to add Begonias to your collection visit www.dibleys.com with over 150 RHS gold medals behind them.
So, there you have it. Why not have some fun designing your home with plants that will bring you joy and improve your well-being.
Remember you’re only limited by your imagination.
Happy Gardening!
