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Staying alive: 6 striking plants to bring green into your home (even if you don't have green fingers)
Our pick of low maintenance but hardworking houseplants with high survival rates.
HOUSEPLANTS HAVE A fantastic ability to transform a room, making them a trusty companion people who don’t want to get too adventurous with renovating.
Aesthetically as well as atmospherically pleasing, they introduce fresh air and are a joy to witness growing and changing as the time goes by.
But what happens if you have more of a black thumb than a single green finger? Well, you could take the fake route, but the good news is that there are plant options out there that are hardy in nature, so they thrive with little nurture.
With so many names flying around, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve rounded up five tough options that will have you identifying your Aspidistra from your Maranta in no time.
Look sharp: With its pointed leaves and hard exterior, the Sansevieria is a great jumping off point for novice plant owners. It’s also called the Snake plant for its design that resembles the reptile’s skin. Take a leaf out of @thepottedearthco’s bright kitchen and make sure yours enjoys plenty of indirect light and don’t over water it.
Snake plants do their best to filter the air and introduce oxygen, so they’re great in busy, high-traffic areas. Word of warning though, these plants have the nickname Mother-in-law’s Tongue, so you might want to think twice before gifting it to certain family members. Pick one up at Johnstown Garden Centre.
High society: If you’re looking to spruce up a corner of the dining room or kitchen then something like a Parlour palm, which thrives in humid areas, could be your answer. @thehandandgrowco plays with scale and goes large, matching their dining table and pendant light in size, so the Parlour doesn’t drown the space.
Also called the Chamaedorea elegans, these plants, again, are best in indirect natural light and need little watering. In fact, under watering is often better than over watering as it avoids the dreaded root rot. You can start small with this one from Garden4You.
Thank heavens: One of the most satisfying things about keeping houseplants is seeing them change as each day passes. This is particularly true of Prayer plants, or Maranta leuconeura – their leaves literally fold up, like hands in prayer, when evening rolls around.
With this in mind, where you place your Prayer plant can take some consideration. Choose a bright space in the home if you want its interesting design to show – darkness will have it in a constant state of prayer. This might require elevating them in hanging pots like @plantsofwroclaw to optimise them for the light they need. According to Urban Plant Life, they grow best in low and medium light and can even do well under artificial plant lighting. Their care might need a little more thought, but they’re worth it.
Say cheese: A common motif in the design world, Monstera deliciosa (or Swiss Cheese plants) have adorning everything from cushion covers to curtains in recent years. Instantly recognisable for their large, split leaves, Monsteras need a lot of space, so that empty corner of the living room is ideal.
They’re creepers, so they like to grow up trees and other plants in the wild. You can help this along by introducing a small trellis or pole like @plantroost has. They should be watered once a week, with their leaves lightly misted, daily. They’re also notorious for catching dust, so a regular wipe will do them wonders and let them breath. Pick one up at Urban Plant Life.
Tough stuff: By now, you’ve probably noticed that plant nicknames are quite descriptive. This is no less true in the Cast Iron Plant’s case. The Aspidistra elatior can live in much harsher conditions, making it a great choice for those who travel a lot or work long hours.
Slow to grow but hard to kill, one of their main requirements is that they’re kept out of direct sunlight to avoid sunburn. @thejoyofplants has made theirs right at home and created a jungle-inspired corner where the greens and rich woods complement each other perfectly. Get yours from Clarenbridge Garden Centre.
Creep of faith: Unlike many of its houseplant relatives, ivy (English Ivy or hedera helix) needs lots of sunlight – though indirect to avoid sunburn. Maintenance-wise, the soil should be left to dry out before it’s watered, so a good pot with effective drainage is essential. In the same breath, it shouldn’t be overwatered, so once you have the light sorted, it suits homeowners with unpredictable schedules.
An image packed with inspiration, we love @mrcigar‘s brightly lit living room – certainly a lesson in keeping houseplants and getting the light just right. Give your ivy room to grow and the freedom to creep and it will as happy as it is on this staircase. Find some at The Garden Shop.
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