Survival guide for your houseplants

Indoor gardening has grown into big business during lockdown with houseplant sales rising by a third and searches for ‘houseplants for sale UK’ increasing by 240 per cent since March.

Research shows that greenery is key when it comes to concentration, boosting mood and creating a calmer environment. A study by the American Psychological Association found that workers in spaces with plants showed 15 per cent higher productivity than those without, so they are a great addition to any home office space.

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Interior style advisor Rebecca Snowden said of houseplants: “They can easily transform your space and bring a tropical style and summertime feel into your home. Not only do plants serve as a great interior accent, but they also create a cleaner breathing space too.”

Rebecca advises that the Areca Palm, Swiss cheese plant, Devil’s Ivy and Trailing Ivy are the best options and offers these top tips for keeping these plants in shape...

Areca palm

A beautiful, fast-growing plant that needs to be placed near the window for direct sunlight. You need to water this every two to three days.

Swiss cheese plant

The cheese plant is easy to grow and only needs to be repotted annually. Water only whenever the soil becomes dry to the touch.

Devil's ivy

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A lush creeper plant that thrives indoors. Change the water every two to three weeks to maintain.

Trailing ivy

An evergreen vine suitable for indoor hanging baskets for a real interior statement. Only water when the soil is dry.

Although these houseplants are easy to maintain, there are some great alternatives on the market if you’re not an experienced gardener.

“There’s no reason to shy away from artificial plants,” Rebecca says. “Faux foliage these days can look just as real to liven up a room with pops of greenery, and you don’t need to worry about watering and maintaining them either.

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"Indoor plants are a versatile interior statement that work well in any room, from your bathroom to your kitchen, living room or bedroom, and complement a number of colour palettes.”

Rebecca is advisor at FurnitureChoice.co.uk where you can find more inspiration to bring a tropical feel into your home.

(photo: Shutterstock)