It's Houseplant Week (January 11-17) and Lottie White, a self confessed plant obsessive who, amongst other things, is responsible for the gardens at Glasfryn in Mold, gives us her guide to becoming a successful houseplant parent...
Houseplants do not live indoors by choice. The history of how they came to be in our homes is a very interesting one and an entire subject in itself.
But what we do need to know is how to help our plants adjust to their new homes.
Of course your cacti has not come straight from Mexico or your beautiful new peace plant from the rainforests in Colombia.
Strains have been developed to cope better with new environments in our homes. But no plant will lose its characteristics evolved over millions of years.
Our goal is to imitate the environment as closely as possible. A healthy, happy houseplant will have had its cultural requirements met. We need to replicate its natural growing conditions by giving it the right amount of humidity, light and water.
• Spider plant - Chlorophytum Comosum
An elegant and graceful plant, a classic of the indoor garden. It's ideal for beginners as it's so easy to care for.
A rewarding plant to have, its ability to rapidly propagate itself when happy. A 'pup' or 'plantlet' from the mum plant will root easily - you will end up wondering what to do with all the new plants.
These plants look beautiful in a hanging basket or on a top shelf, so the trailing foliage can hang in a cascading manner.
Origin: South Africa rainforest
Preferred location: Bright, indirect sunlight
Temperature range: 15 to 22c
Water: Likes to dry out in between waterings. Use rain water, chemicals in tap water causes brown tips
Humidity: Happiest in low humidity
Special features: This plant earns its keep and will purify your air. Once highlighted by NASA for the way they help to remove pollutants from the air.
• Devils Ivy - Epipremnum aureum
Also known as golden pothos, a lovely evergreen vine, very attractive when trained up a wall.
Incredibly resilient and a very easy going plant, can tolerate the most neglectful houseplant parent.
If looked after well this plant can become a companion for many years and stay beautiful as it grows old.
Origin: Tropics of Southern Asia
Preferred location: Not fussy, will do fine in almost any light. But will grow quicker in bright light. Avoid direct sunlight though as will scorch the leaves
Temperature range: 10 to 22c
Water: Water relatively freely when in active growth, let the compost dry out in between. Reduce watering in winter
Humidity: Average to high. Loves to live in a bathroom
Special features: If your devil's ivy becomes too large or stems a little sad, no harm will come to the plant if you do a little pruning, it will encourage new lush growth. A bonus to owning a devil's ivy is that it will improve the quality of the air in the home.
• Dragon tree - Dracaena Marginata
Another great plant for those just starting their indoor garden. So many of the houseplants can be demanding but this one is not a diva.
Good for places where not much space is available. They are slim and slow growers, yet vibrant and can really make a statement.
Origin: Tropical and subtropical African regions
Preferred location: Bright, indirect light. Given too much and the leaves will scorch
Temperature range: 18 to 32c - never below 15c
Water: Dragon plants prefer under watering. Try and aim to have the top two inches dry. Use your finger to feel the moisture underneath
Humidity: High. Dragon plants like a spot near the kitchen or bathroom.
Special features: Do not panic if you see your dragon tree loosing leaves. They naturally shed leaves as they grow. Take care of your dragon and in turn it will look after you, another plant that cleans the air you breath and its beautiful green foliage a calming effect on the mind.
• Peace Lily – Spathiphyllum
A great addition to any indoor garden, a tropical species that delights its owner with a beautiful striking white bloom, usually in spring.
A pampered plant may bloom more though. When not in bloom this plant has lovely glossy foliage. A favourite to be given as a thoughtful gift.
Origin: South central American rainforests where they thrive on the forest floor
Preferred location: Manages in most conditions, but to flower the peace lily loves a bright environment
Temperature range: 15 to 22c
Water: Prefers to be underwatered. Will let you know when to water as leaves will droop when a drink is needed. Leave top inch of soil dry.
Humidity: Will thrive in high humidity
Special features: The dark green leaves can be dust magnets, wipe down the lush foliage with a damp cloth. This will help the plant process the sunlight and keep it happy and healthy.
• Aloe Vera - Aloe Barbadensis
Also known as the first aid plant. A favourite succulent for many. A very attractive and beneficial plant that will add a focal point to your indoor plant display.
This plant when happy will repay you with 'pups' - the babies at the bottom of the mum plant. Just divide and re-plant.
Origin: Arabian peninsular. South central American rainforests where they thrive on the forest floor.
Preferred location: Will enjoy bright light, but not direct sunshine
Temperature range: 15 to 32c
Water: This plant holds lots of water in its handsome leaves. So infrequent watering needed, only when the soil is dry.
Humidity: Needs low humidity, loves very dry air
Special features: Not only a stylish home plant to have this plant can be used be used for its healing properties. The gel inside its leaves can be used for treating minor injuries such as sun burn. Full of vitamins and anti-bacterial properties. Just snap of a leaf and rub the gel inside over the affected area.
Lottie's top plant tips:
Try and use rain water to give the plants a drink. Natural, clean and has good minerals to help plant growth. Will reduce the risk of brown spots on the foliage.
Houseplants need to be cleaned. A healthy plant needs to be free from dust. Remember a plant's natural habitat is outdoors where they get washed in rain and blown in the wind. Clean leaves will help the plant to use the sunlight to growth and be pest resilient. Easiest way to dust your plant is to wipe the leaves with a damp soft cloth.
In the wild, plants are found in groups that have similar growing conditions together. If you can try and replicate this in the home Not only will they make a stunning display but it will make them easier to care for. If you put humidity loving plants together they will create a mini natural pocket of moisture, its own little natural environment.
If you tend to kill plants with love - over watering - buy a moisture meter. Most plants can bounce back from under watering but not so much from over watering as root rot will occur.
• Looking for some inspiration for inside or out? Check out Lottie's gorgeous Instagram - @littleplantslady
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