Inner beauties
London botanical-styling company Geo-fleur’s founder Sophie Lee is an indoor grow pro. Here she shares tips to get your houseplant party started.
1 Don’t drown them. Be warned: overwatering is the most common killer of houseplants. It isn’t fatal at first, but if you continue to do it, it will kill the plant. Watch out for the first signs your greenery is in trouble and stop watering immediately.
2 Give them a break. You may be surprised to learn that nearly all plants need a rest period, which is usually in winter. During this time, you should water and feed them less, and let them be a little cooler.
3 Up the humidity. Central heating and other heat sources can make the air inside your home very dry. When growing indoor plants, it’s a good idea to increase the humidity in the air by misting their leaves.
4 Keep an eye out for trouble. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there will be times when your plants get into trouble. One or two small insects or other pests can be removed easily, but if you get an infestation, it may be game over. Vigilance is key. •
5 Group them together. You will have noticed the interiors trend for arranging plants together. That’s not just for aesthetic reasons – it’s also because nearly all plants grow better when they have their friends around them.
6 Learn how to repot. Some plants are slow-growing, whereas you’ll have to run to catch up with others’ growth spurts. It’ll pay to learn how to repot now, before your specimens overgrow their homes.
7 Choose wisely from the start. Sadly, it’s impossible to keep a rare plant that only survives in jungle-like temperatures inside a cold flat. And even someone with the greenest of thumbs can’t make a shade-loving plant survive in a sunny window.
8 Invest in some good-quality gardening tools. A plant mister is a must for watering, increasing the humidity in the room and reducing dust on your plants’ leaves. Drip trays are great for watering plants from the bottom, and some good-quality fertiliser will keep them looking and feeling as healthy as possible.