The nation has turned to indoor gardening in recent months, with houseplant sales rising by a third and searches for ‘houseplants for sale UK’ increasing by a huge 240% since lockdown was announced in March.

In light of the nation’s new love affair with indoor greenery, Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at FurnitureChoice.co.uk, shares her top tips for introducing and caring for houseplants in your home. 

Houseplants are a modern-day interior staple, and as Rebecca continues: “They can easily transform your space and bring a tropical style and summertime feel into your home. Not only do plants serve as a great interior accent, but they also create a cleaner breathing space too.”

What’s more, research shows that greenery is key when it comes to concentration, boosting mood and creating a calmer environment. In fact, the American Psychological Association found that workers in spaces with plants showed 15% higher productivity than those without, so they’re a great addition to any home office space. 

In terms of the best indoor plants for your home, Rebecca advises that the Areca Palm, Swiss Cheese plant, Devil’s Ivy and Trailing Ivy are the best options. Whilst introducing houseplants into your space has its benefits, it’s important to maintain and care for the new additions too. Rebecca offers her top tips to keeping your houseplants in shape: 

• Areca palm - a beautiful, fast-growing plant that needs to be placed near the window for direct sunlight. You need to water this every two to three days.
• Monstera adansonii (swiss cheese plant) - one of the most popular houseplant options, the cheese plant is easy to grow and only needs to be repotted annually. Water only whenever the soil becomes dry to the touch.
• Epipremnum Aureum (devil’s ivy) - a lush creeper plant that thrives indoors. Change the water every 2-3 weeks to maintain. 
• Hedera helix (trailing ivy) - an evergreen vine suitable for indoor hanging baskets for a real interior statement. Only water when the soil is dry.

Although these houseplants are easy to maintain, there are some great alternatives on the market if you’re not an experienced gardener. “There’s no reason to shy away from artificial plants,” Rebecca says. “Faux foliage these days can look just as real to liven up a room with pops of greenery, and you don’t need to worry about watering and maintaining them either.”

“Bringing  the outdoors inside is a calming way to reconnect with nature,” Rebecca says. “Whether artificial or real, houseplants add a tropical touch to your home and can help create a feeling of calm and peace.

“Indoor plants are also a versatile interior statement that work well in any room, from your bathroom to your kitchen, living room or bedroom, and complement a number of colour palettes too. A whitewashed colour scheme instantly creates a light, airy and summery space, which when paired with a pop of greenery with plants, helps achieve a modern, Scandinavian look. Pastel pinks also work well with green, for a summery colour palette that contributes to a relaxed atmosphere. 

“Houseplants are one of the easiest ways to instantly brighten up a space and we don’t expect them to go anywhere soon!”

For more inspiration on how to incorporate a tropical feel into your home, please visit:
https://www.furniturechoice.co.uk/advice-and-inspiration/5-ways-to-decorate-with-tropical…