KEEP YOUR PLANT OBSESSION sustainable
Though it might be literally green, even your indoor jungle has an environmental impact
Considering the sciencebacked health benefits of the humble house plant (and that they’re an inexpensive yet effective decor option), it’s no surprise they’ve been cropping up everywhere.
In 2020, Australians bought more than two billion of those leafy babies, spending a massive $2.6 billion.
However, house plants don’t just come at a cost to us – whether it’s the plastic pots they come in or the miles the more exotic breeds travel to end up in your home, these potted pets have a significant environmental impact.
If you want to keep your plant obsession green, Dominic Hooghuis and Duncan Hilder, co-founders of The Plant Runner, have wise words for you.
SHOP RIGHT
As thrilling as plant shopping can be, just because something looks stunning in the window of your local nursery, doesn't mean it will stay that way once you take it home.
Make sure you choose the right plant for your space and lifestyle. Think about where you will place it in terms of lighting and temperature.
If your plant looks dull and location doesn't seem to fix it, the pair also suggest treating your plant children to some TLC with Neem Oil Leaf Shine from The Plant Runner for that extra bit of love.
PROPAGATE
If you have a plethora of plastic pots lying around and existing plants flourishing, why not avoid excess packaging and save money by propagating? Here’s how to do it: • Find a mature stem on your plant. You want one with a bit of length to it so that when you snip, your plant won't look like it had a bad haircut.
• Find a node along the stem. A node is a junction where the leaf meets the stem and has a slight raise.
• Make your cut with sharp, good-quality secateurs. A clean snip reduces the chance of infection and helps the cut heal over quickly. Duncan and Dominic recommend you cut 1cm or so below the node.
• Clear off any foliage around the node and other leaves that might end up in the water. Leave the foliage that will remain above the water.
• Place your cutting in a vessel full of water. Duncan and Dominic love using amber glass bottles to hold cuttings, as the amber protects new, vulnerable roots from harsh UV light.
• Place your cutting and the vessel in a bright location, but out of the way of any direct sunlight. After a few weeks, you should have some roots long enough to plant!
SHOP LOCAL
There are a lot of nurseries to choose from, so the best way to keep things sustainable is to purchase from your local.
This saves on the double handling of the plant, reducing the risk of it being battered around in the post. It also gives you the chance to interact with staff and make sure you’ve got your plant requirements sorted.
OPT FOR
ECO TREATMENTS
We all know that house plant care can be tricky. You want to rid your plant of pests and help it grow big and strong, but can you do so without harming the environment with chemicals found in some fertilisers and insecticides?
Dominic and Duncan believe it can be done and agree on the importance of choosing a plant-care brand with a sustainable mindset.
The Plant Runner offers a range of organic products with carbon-neutral or negative ingredients that are made in Australia and sourced sustainably.
UPCYCLE OLD POTS AND GO TERRACOTTA
With decor-mongers releasing new pots frequently, it can be hard to stay on-trend.
But, as Duncan and Dominic note, there is one pot style that only seems to get better with time – terracotta.
Not only do these pots seem to work in any setting, but they develop a beautiful patina with time.
Additionally, if you opt to reuse, remember to sterilise each pot before use to remove any pathogens that might be lingering around.