In the world of modern interior design, where clean lines and smooth surfaces are often the goal, houseplants can often seem out of place.
Their wild nature can sometimes feel at odds with the simple aesthetic of your home, making their placement an afterthought.
The truth is that with the right placement and care, they can be a hugely positive addition to any house. Having plants indoors can be extremely beneficial; plants can help to improve your mood, making you happier and more productive, as well as having a cleansing effect on the air around you.
To help you out, we’ve decided to share our top tips for integrating houseplants into your home.
Know your plants
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Before you go on a shopping trip to your local garden centre, you need to do your research. Knowing what kind of plant will thrive in the space you have available is essential, as a wrongly placed plant can quickly perish.
Different plant varieties have their own requirements, for example, some plants like a lot of sun, while others may prefer shade and occasional sun. Be aware of what conditions you can provide and buy wisely.
Gardening Know How has an extensive resource on various kinds of houseplants, including articles on plant care and information on certain problems. You can check here for information on specific species to help you plan your plant purchases.
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The same goes for knowing what kind of care you will need to provide your plant; for example, if you travel a lot, you should not pick plants that require regular special attention unless you know someone who can provide them with it. Choose plants that can thrive around your busy lifestyle.
If you are new to caring for houseplants, you might appreciate this list of easy-care plants from the House Plant Experts, which pulls together some plants that can really tough it out on their own should you be a bit forgetful.
Try a plant stand
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Once you have established what kind of plants that you can accommodate, you can begin to get creative with your choice of display and where you place them.
Corners are an often unoccupied space in rooms, so placing a plant stand in them can quite literally bring some life to them. Many plant stands have more than one level for storage, so you will be able to put several plants onto them for a fuller effect.
Be creative with your pots and planters
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The pots or planters that you choose for your plants can have a real effect on their look. Selecting a new container is a great opportunity to pick something that really complements both your houseplant and the décor of the room.
Go for a pot with a shape and colour to match the foliage and form of your plant, but make sure it will not look out of place on the grander scale of your room.
Terracotta pots are usually a safe bet, they go with most plants and don’t look out of place against many interior styles, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other containers.
Add some colour with a flowering plant
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Houseplants that flower can add fragrance and a little bit of charm to a room. With the right care, a flowering houseplant can bring these qualities to your home for prolonged periods of time, allowing you to enjoy the sight of their flowers as part of your décor.
There are many varieties of plant that can continue to thrive through the winter, like azaleas, whose flowering period falls during the colder months.
There is a breed of azaleas that are especially adapted to life indoors, so not only will they enhance your room with their white, pink, and red blooms, with the right care they will flourish in almost any room you choose for them.
Wyevale Garden Centres have a produced a useful guide to caring for indoor azaleas, which contains essential advice to help you keep your plants blossoming.
Follow our tips to add some natural flair to your home with indoor plants. Provide them with the right level of care and they will reward you with years of colour and an improved quality of life.
