So you want a houseplant.
There are plenty of options available for you to get that leafy green utopia going on in your house.
Whether you’re a green-fingered planting veteran or someone who’s trying to add some nature to their space for the first time, there’s something for everyone online.
And we’ve made a bit easier for you to browse some of the best-looking, unkillable, low-maintenance plants that are sure to brighten up your home.
After all, adding some greenery may be beneficial to your mental health.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), they have numerous positive effects on our minds.
They told Metro.co.uk: ‘We know for sure that plants and gardening are vital for our mental health.
‘There’s nothing quite like being around and interacting with nature to relax and help ease the mind. With gardening, simply focusing on the task in hand, be it weeding, pruning, or planting, can have an astoundingly positive effect on your mood.’
Here are some plants you could add to cart that will look good and probably make you feel better too.
Prayer Plant, £14.99, Beards & Daisies
Although this one is super easy to care for (an ideal beginners plant), Prayer Plants love a little TLC and will always benefit from regular misting using warm water and soil kept moist.
Ideal locations include bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms and studies.
Dracaena Fragrans Steudneri, £16.99, Beards & Daisies
This is a low maintenance houseplant. It will benefit from occasionally dusting the leaves to unblock its pores. If the environment has low humidity this plant will benefit from regular misting.
Water regularly during the spring and summer months, reduce during the winter. Wait until the top layer of soil is dry before watering gently. avoid over-watering as this can cause root rot. Leaves may discolour if overwatered, if underwatered they may appear to curl at the edges.
Tall Golden Pothos, £24.99, Beards & Daisies
This is an easy to care for houseplant. In fact, it is almost impossible to kill it and will remain green even when kept in the dark.
Ensure your plant is kept moist with weekly watering and regular misting, however the soil must be completely dry before topping up. Expect to reduce the frequency of watering during the winter months.
Medinilla magnifica rose grape, £34.99, RHS Plants
The cluster of flowers appears on pendent stems that cascade over the edges of the pot, and although quite small themselves, they are surrounded by large, showy bracts.
Keep them well-watered during the growing season, making sure the excess water drains away freely but cut back a little during the winter.
These plants prefer a humid environment, so avoid placing near a radiator and mist the foliage with water regularly. Feed with a good general-purpose houseplant fertiliser from spring to late summer and maintain temperatures above 15C in winter.
Aloe Rauhii Snowflake, £7.50, Gardens4U
Aloe Snowflake produces beautiful rosettes of green spotted leaves that resemble snowflakes because they are more white than green. It can produce bright orange flowers tipped with yellow. Can be stored indoor or outdoor.
Bromelia (three included), £52.99, Bakker.com
The tropical Guzmania tala, the bladed Vriesea ‘Shannon’ and the striking Guzmania ‘Orange’ are all bromelias that are ready to be enjoyed In their anthracite pots. These plants bloom just once and for a period of three to six months.
These tropical plants need very high humidity so spray the leaves at least once a week. This prevents the leaf edges from drying out. The plants do like light, but not the blazing midday sun. Always keep the soil moist, without letting the plants stand in water.
Phalaenopsis ‘Elegant Polka Dots’moth orchid, £29.99, RHS Plants
Keep the compost moist during the warmer months, but in winter you should reduce the amount it gets, and only water them occasionally. Ideally when watering, you should let them stand in a tray of water (or kitchen sink) so they can soak up as much as they like for an hour or two.
Afterwards, let the excess water drain away completely. It is always best to give them a a good soak when they get quite dry, rather than watering little and often. Their preference is for soft, tepid water.
Hoya Linearis, £22, Leaf Envy
The Hoya Linearis is a beautiful plant with small, narrow leaves on long cascading stems. This easy to care for plant is a great option for hanging planters and will reward good care with lots of growth and stunning cream-coloured flowers.
Cacti, £3-6, Patch Plants
Cacti are laid back on watering so give them a small drink when the soil is fully dry.
In warmer months, give it a dose of cactus feed once a month to help it grow.
Alocasia cuprea, £50, Patch Plants
It enjoys a warm moist atmosphere that reminds it of its native home in Asia. It needs nice moist (but not soggy) soil, bright light (but not direct sun) and lots of moisture in the air and it will be happy as can be. It will also benefit from a feed once per month in spring and summer.
Dumb Canes, £40, Patch Plants
The diefenbacchia’s common name, dumb cane, comes from the fact that the liquid that drips from its leaves can cause a temporary loss of speech if ingested. For that reason this plant is not recommended for homes with small children. This is a grown up plant for grown up homes.
It’s used to growing in humid conditions in dappled forests, so it loves lots of moisture in the air and a lot of bright, indirect light. It will also appreciate a feed with liquid fertiliser once per month in spring and summer. With the right conditions, it will grow quickly to become a really impressive houseplant.
Monstera Obliqua Monkey Leaf, £9.95, Homebase
The Monkey Leaf is a new very popular and trendy variety of the cheese plant. With its compact growth and many holes in its foliage a real piece of natural art in your living room.
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MORE: How to water your plants correctly
MORE: Eight houseplants that are notoriously hard to kill
MORE: How to know if you are overwatering your houseplants
source https://metro.co.uk/2020/09/14/where-to-buy-houseplants-that-are-affordable-low-maintenance-and-pretty-to-look-at-13265515/
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