Four houseplant tips to brighten your home and your mood
YOUR home can feel a bit bare after all of the Christmas decorations are gone.
Houseplants are an affordable way to liven things up.
Here are some tips . . .
CLEAN AIR: You can spend hundreds on a fancy air- purifier but certain green plants will help remove toxins for a snip of the price.
Claire Bishop, senior buyer for garden centre chain Dobbies, recommends plenty of Spathiphyllum, also known as the Peace Lily.
It’s easy to look after, too.
Or make more impact with dramatic Monstera which has big, glossy leaves.
MOOD BOOST: Houseplants have been shown to reduce stress levels, says the Royal Horticultural Society.
You can add joy to your living space by grouping together different sizes of plant.
Claire says: “Try styling spider plants, and trailing plants in baskets for a jungle feel.
“Or climbing plants can be supported with moss poles to encourage growth and stability.”
HOME SPA: Transform your bathroom into a spa-like retreat with a little greenery.
Ferns and other green plants do well with humidity, Claire advises.
Compact plant succulents are also great, especially for smaller spaces.
When choosing plants for your bathroom, Claire says you should consider how much light there is and what temperature it is.
If you don’t have much light, opt for Calathea, also known as the Prayer Plant, which has visually striking foliage.
Tillandsia, also called Spanish Moss, is another option and can be styled hanging down from shelves.
LEARN FOR FREE: Dobbies is running free “grow how” demon-strations in store every Wednesday this month at 10.30am and 3.30pm.
You can book a place or join on the day.
The sessions cover the basics of houseplants and how to care for them.
Or try downloading the RHS Grow app which offers free features such as plant profiles with expert growing advice.
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