Houseplants – your garden in the home

It’s cold outside and if you are not inclined to venture into the garden so much at this time of year, think about how houseplants can bring colour and enjoyment into your home.

Flowering plants will instantly brighten up your environment. Azaleas, orchids and cyclamen are plentiful at this time of year. Phalaenopsis orchids in particular are widely loved as they look so exotic, need little care and will reflower year after year, producing larger stems of delicate flowers each time. Kalanchoe are a reliable favourite, with succulent leaves and small clusters of buds which colour up and flower for many weeks.

Green plants are an important addition to any home. As well as looking good, they can have a positive impact on health and well-being – indoor horticultural therapy. They can also improve air quality.As working from home has become more prevalent the addition of plants, as in an office environment, can improve general mood and productivity and reduce stress levels.

There are plants which will thrive in most conditions, but it’s worth remembering there are very few that will do well in cold drafts. Likewise, no plant will benefit from standing in water for more than a few hours, so be sure to drain off any excess after watering. Dark places with little or no natural light can be challenging, so pick carefully for these areas. Generally, most plants will do well in bright and airy conditions.

Houseplants can take time to acclimatise. They are usually grown in perfect computer-controlled conditions for maximum impact when displayed for sale, and real-world household climates can come as a shock. This will often show with leaf-drop, such as with ficus benjamina (weeping fig). Persevere, maybe with a boost of some liquid feed but definitely with plenty of light. Regularly turn them around so you get even growth.

Just as in a garden, a small investment in time in indoor plants can bring much enjoyment.

David Hogg

Buckland Nurseries