The Revival of the Houseplants

By 13th November 2017Advice, Trends

Houseplants were once a hobby for the relaxed older generation who had time and knowledge to care for them. They have now crept their way back into our lives as the latest interior trend for the country’s most fashionable homes, shops and restaurants.

Statistics show that over the last two years houseplant sales have risen by 14% as the trend thrives. It also ties in very well with Pantone’s colour of the year, ‘Greenery’. The trend is encouraged by social media as a style-savvy, picturesque accessory that is ideal for urban homes.

Houseplants can be anything from large foliage to succulents in terrariums or potted orchids. Plants clean the indoor atmosphere, they help remove us from our ‘teched-up’ lives and urge us to reconnect to nature.

Two key factors to consider when choosing houseplants

  1. Light
  2. Temperature

It’s important to think about the location in your home that you want to fill before choosing your plant. Some prefer bright light, such as flowering houseplants, whereas foliage likes indirect light and moisture. When you turn your heating on, you must consider your houseplants; heating can be a killer for most indoor plants therefore it’s ideal to stand your plants on a tray of damp gravel to raise the surrounding humidity.

Ten houseplants that can survive bright sunlight

Try placing them north or east facing, as south can get too hot on sunny days

  1. Cacti
  2. Succulents
  3. African Violents
  4. Palargoniums
  5. Cape Primroses
  6. Begonias
  7. Aloe Vera
  8. Sting of Pearls (also known as String of Beads or Senecio rowleyanus)
  9. Ficus Cyathistipula (the African fig tree is perfect for indoors)
  10. Sansevieria varieties

A garden room is the ideal location for all these plants, providing plenty of light, space and ventilation.

Ten houseplants that like indirect sunlight

  1. Ferns (such as ‘staghorn’ or ‘boston’ are best placed in the bathroom or kitchen as they enjoy humidity)
  2. Peace Lily
  3. Cast Iron Plant
  4. Ivy
  5. Anthurium
  6. Spider Plant
  7. Begonia
  8. Dracaena
  9. Monstera deliciosa (also known as the ‘Swiss Cheese Plant’, will need support indoors to keep it upright)
  10. Palms (such as ‘Kentia’ or ‘Sentry’)

kitchen extension or orangery is more suited to these plants, providing the opportunity of shade and humidity.