Indoor plants can be just as much fun to grow as your garden and can be the perfect way to fill empty space in your home. Abbey Ford tells you how to get a handle on what you need to know about this colourful, living decoration.
If you feel more relaxed when you're around indoor plants, your mind isn't just playing tricks on you.
This is scientifically proven to be true.
A study from NASA has shown that beyond the colour and vibrancy an indoor plant can add to your home, they also purify the air.
Just one plant in a room can help clear toxins from the air. Leafier plants have been shown to be more successful at filtering the air.
Consider plants such as the bamboo palm, spider plant or a weeping fig for the best results.
Consider plants such as the bamboo palm, spider plant or a weeping fig for the best results.
Each individual indoor plant has different needs when it comes to natural light.
While this is dependent on the species of plant, there are some general rules which can help you choose the placement of plants in your home.
Flowering plants require more light than other plants; plants with thicker leaves don't need as much light as foliage-only plants to thrive.
A cactus should be placed in a well-lit spot.
Consider placing your plant in a west-facing or east-facing position to receive the light from sunset or sunrise each day.
One for the most noticeable advantages of having a home decorated with flowering indoor plants is the lovely scent that carries throughout the house.
Plants with pleasant scents to consider include:
■ Jasmine: Emits a sweet scent that will remind you of spring.
■ Sharry baby orchids: Smells like vanilla to some, while others believe it smells like chocolate.
■ Gardenia: A floral smell like jasmine that is also considered quite earthy.
■ Geranium: Available in many scents, including rose, mint, lemon and orange.
