Hurray for Houseplant Week which runs from 11 – 17 January 2021. As we find ourselves spending much time at home in lockdown 3.0 it’s the ideal opportunity to consider how to bring the outdoors inside especially during these wintery months.
In keeping with our theme of #RestartRefreshRenew2021 we’ve researched the ideal houseplant companions. To be honest, if we had to decide on one New Year’s resolution this year, it will be to get more houseplants.
Why? Houseplants not only offer a sustainable way to instantly beautify the look and feel of your home with greenery but also can positively boost our moods. The horticultural benefits of tending to indoor plants can elevate well-being by reducing stress levels and increasing productivity. Some plants can improve our health by reducing toxins in the air. Who knows, this may spark a new-found hobby and you may discover you have green fingers, which, with the prospect of Summer and a pair of new gardening gloves, may provide a whole new hobby for outdoors too.
But what works best if you’re a beginner plant parent? What are some of the happiest houseplants (no fuss) and what makes them easy to look after?
Here’s our list of top 5 houseplants if you are just starting out:
Devil’s ivy
- With its marbled leaves, it can live almost in any light and wouldn’t mind if you forget to water it at times.
Swiss cheese plant
- We prefer to call it a delicious monster (‘monstera deliciosa’). The holes in its giant leaves are a sight to behold and that’s why it makes a glorious statement indoor plant in a living room or bedroom.
Peace lilies
- Low maintenance and sure to brighten up any indoor space, but requires very little attention.
Snake plant
- Ideal for beginners, easy to care and comes in a range of sizes. There is a study from Nasa to see which plants give out most oxygen, and this was one. Place them near your bed to help you sleep. They are a desert plant, so give out most oxygen at night.
ZZ plant
- Minimal light is no problem for this one and thanks to its unique root system infrequent watering is optimal. Perfect on a shelf.
Dracaena fragrans
- Looks like a palm tree but undemanding. So gratifying to watch it grow tall over time.
So, what else should you consider to provide the right environment and care for your indoor plants?
Natural light
- Windowsills are best during the winter months. If this is not possible, opt for LED bulbs which help support the growth of plants by producing a highly precise photosynthetic spectrum.
Temperature
- Be careful when using central heating as it can dry out the leaves. When you water, do the foliage watering and then the root watering, or just misting the leaves if they are dry and the soil is not.
Settings – what goes where?
- Ferns for the bathrooms as they love humidity.
- Succulents or aloe vera for desks. Do talk to your plants – studies by Nasa show that mild vibrations increase growth in plants. So, really look at your plants when watering them, show them companionship and attention.
- Herb pots like rosemary, thyme and basil in the kitchen will smell divine and you can use them whilst cooking.
Our final tip, the more the merrier! That’s us heading off to Instagram to obsess over houseplants some more.
Find out more about sustainability at Church House Westminster, including well-being and mental health.