House plants are a wonderful way to bring a little bit of nature into a home, not only do they look wonderful but they have wealth of mental and physical benefits.
From purifying the air and filtering harmful chemicals to reducing stress levels. In fact. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that people who work in an office setting with plants and windows have a higher capacity for attention compared to those without access to nature.
I chatted with Ruth Monahan of Appassionata the best ways to add a splash of nature to your home and to find out which plants work best in each of the rooms of your home and how to care for them.
Know where you plan to put the plant
When it comes to buying a house plant there are so many plants to choose from it can be a bit daunting if you are starting out. From terrariums to succulents, or larger indoor plants and trees, it can be hard to know what plant is going to work best in your home?
‘Start by deciding where you would like your plants to live in your home. Otherwise, you risk buying lots of plants that mightn’t suit the space you put them in.’ Says Monahan
Lean on the knowledge of the sales assistant, they will be used to caring for plants and will be able to guide you as to the best kind of plants to go for. Different plants will be better suited to different locations and environments in your home so it’s important that you know where you plan to place your plant to ensure you get the right help.
Plants for your porch or entrance hall
Your home should give you a lift from the moment you open your front door and what a better way to ‘spray joy’ than to add some mood-boosting greenery.
Think about what you would like to see when you arrive home. For me, it’s a waft of lavender, some hints of bright colour & some texture so that I instantly feel relaxed as I step through the front door. ‘ Says Monahan.
A lovely idea is to create groupings of house plants with pots either side of your front door and mix them around to suit the seasons. ‘Rosemary, lavender & cosmos are perfect for summer’ recommends Monahan ‘Ferns, succulents & baby orange trees are a great autumnal mix, and for Spring you could have fun with lots of flowering bulbs’ she suggests.
Plants for your Kitchen
If you’re looking to bring the outside in, this is the place to do it. Unlike other areas of your home, the kitchen is a place where you will be spending a lot of time so your house plants will be less likely to be forgotten about.
‘I always have herbs relevant to each season in my kitchen, some maidenhair ferns and a lemon tree.’ Says Monahan
Instead of using flowers as your centerpiece on an island or dining table, why not add a collection of herbs instead? This is a great way to add some greenery and pretty up your space whilst being totally practical too. ‘Marjoram, bay, rosemary, thyme, salvia, nasturtium are all wonderful to have close at hand in a kitchen and make really pretty displays. Says Monahan. ‘Grab a few leaves to instantly bling up a summer salad.’ She suggests.
Plants for Your Living Room
We never feel that any room is finished until we’ve added a bit of greenery. House plants have a way of bringing vibrancy and clam to a space. Whether you prefer a more minimal style or have more eclectic tastes, there are so many options to choose from. The important consideration is how much light your living pace gets to help you make the right choice.
‘We would always recommend a dark green plant with waxed leaves like a monstera, kentia palm, howea palm or different forms of ficus as great investments’ for any living space. ‘They are also ideal for placing in a tricky or slightly shaded in a dark and light corner at home.’ Explains Monahan
Dusting the leaves of larger pants like these is very important. ‘These larger leaf plants also tend to gather dust so it is worth wiping down the leaves with a damp cloth regularly so that the leaves can breathe properly and keep fresh and shiny’ She explains.
Ensure that your plants are happily planted in a waterproof glazed pot to prevent leakage onto carpet or floors and if you don’t use the room on a regular basis, Monaghan recommends ‘setting a reminder to water the plants so that they stay looking their best and dress your rooms in style.’
Plants for Your Bedroom
House plants are a great addition to a bedroom, not only will they look beautiful but they are natural humidifiers, purify the air, and can help to evoke a state of tranquility and calm.
Aloe Vera is a great choice as it promotes better air quality by emitting oxygen at night instead of during the day. This giving the air around it a boost that could benefit your sleep. It’s also a fantastic choice for new houseplant owners as it is tolerant of neglect.
The peace lily is another great choice as it reduces the microbe count in your home’s air, which can relieve allergy symptoms. The leaves tend to drop when it needs a drink, letting you know that it’s time to water it.
When it comes to caring for your plants, ‘the trick is to water them regularly’ says Monahan ‘and remove any dried or dead leaves or flowers as soon as they appear.’ But most importantly, ‘Enjoy your plants, they are not a pinterest or Instagram trend but are living things that need to be minded – she explains – ‘Once you have mastered watering and looking after them, your plants will give so much back from looking beautiful to purifying the air all around you’.
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