How to Spruce up your Space with a Green Friend
Adding a potted plant to a room can really transform the space. It’s also a great way to brighten up your home and purify the air. On top of all this, research has shown that being around nature can decrease stress levels and tension, which will be music to your ears if you’re a young professional or student. Every little helps, right?
Plants increase the amount of oxygen in the air whilst clearing out nasty toxins too, helping you to take a deep breath and relax at the end of a manic day.
The best news is that many of these incredible little seedlings are super easy to grow and keep.
We’ve rounded up a list of our favourite houseplants, along with some handy tips on how to keep them healthy.
Aloe vera
The thick chunky leaves of the aloe vera plant will offer interesting decoration to any home. Simply plant in a wide container, place in a sunny spot (although not in direct sunlight) and water once every couple of weeks.
They are very simple to keep, just be sure not to overwater. All moisture is stored in the leaves, rather than in the soil, so if the soil does look a bit dry, it doesn’t necessarily mean it needs to be watered. Instead, consult the leaves – if they look a bit droopy, water well.
Another reason that the plant is a firm favourite is the fact that it provides a number of healing properties. Aloe vera is a regenerative first aid kit. The sticky, cooling gel inside the leaves is an ideal soother for cuts and burns. So keep one on your kitchen window sill for when you next catch yourself on the oven, or scrape a finger whilst chopping up veggies.
On top of all this, the aloe vera plant monitors your air quality. It will display brown spots if the air is heavily polluted with unwanted chemicals, usually given off by harsh cleaning products and heavy traffic near your home.
The spider plant
Don’t be put off by its creepy crawly name, the spider plant is actually one of the most popular houseplants out there. The unusual-looking foliage can survive in cool temperatures, so it’s perfect for British houses and flats. It also looks great as a hanging plant, as the grassy leaves arch over, just like spiders legs.
To add to its appeal, spider plants are very easy to look after. Water moderately, more times than you would a succulent, but not every day. In the meantime, keep them out of direct sunlight.
Peace lily
If you’re a fan of floral, the peace lily is probably one of the lowest maintenance flowers to keep. And this is why so many people have them in their homes and offices. The beautiful green leaves and white petals go well with most decors and perk up a dull room.
The peace lily is also well-known for reducing toxins in the air, which is great if you spend a lot of time in your room, working and hanging out.
They also don’t need a lot of water and actually do better when they are under-watered, rather than overwatered. You can see if they need a bit of attention by looking at the topsoil – if it’s still damp, avoid spraying it.
The snake plant
With their impressive vertical leaves, the snake plant is a solid choice for adding some greenery into a bedroom or lounge. It also doesn’t need much light or water to survive, so it’s wonderful for busy schedules.
What’s more is that it absorbs unpleasant CO2 particles and releases oxygen into the air during the night. So if you want a clean air boost whilst you sleep, the snake plant is for you.
Just ensure that you keep the leaves free from dust – having tiny particles on the surface will stop the plant absorbing much-needed light.
Do you have any other tips for turning a home green? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.