How not to kill your plants if you’re a millennial
MILLENNIALS get a lot of stick in the media – if you’re to trust the headlines, this particular group of people have ruined everything.
The majority of this negative press is arguably unwarranted, but there is one thing a lot of people aged 23-38 can agree on: It’s really quite hard to keep your houseplants alive.
Maybe they didn’t have the same gardening education as their parents or grandparents, but whatever the reasons might be, there’s a whole group of people out there struggling with the seemingly simple task of not killing their plants. We asked horticulturist Jamie Butterworth for some easy tips millennials can follow to help their plants survive.
IT might be tempting to pick whatever plant you like the look of best, but a little bit of research will go a long way – especially if you’re the kind of person who’s been unsuccessful in taking care of houseplants in the past.
Jamie recommends trying out Aspidistra, Monstera or cacti.
USE your common sense. “Plants that naturally grow in the desert, such as cacti, won’t want to be holed up in a shady bathroom,” Jamie says. “And similarly, a shade-loving plant won’t want to be next to a south-facing window.”
You should also try and avoid placing your beloved shrubs next to hot radiators or frequently used air conditioners.
“PLANTS are great at letting you know when they’re not happy,” Jamie explains.
“By growing them somewhere obvious, you can take steps as soon as they look a bit peaky.”
JAMIE says: “The plants I grow at home are all resilient and tough, and only need attention every few weeks.” He recommends Schefflera Arboricola, otherwise known as the Dwarf umbrella tree.
A BIT of greenery in your home can be multi-functional if you pick a plant that tastes good as well. Grow your own herbs, chillies or quick to harvest salad leaves.