The Irish Mail on Sunday

Add a plant to make a statement

Take inspiratio­n to add a statement plant to a room for an architectu­rally interestin­g visual and bring nature indoors Emily Westbrooks

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We all know plants are one of the hottest (and possibly longest lasting) interiors trends going at the moment. But most of us tend to pick up small plants, in part because they are inexpensiv­e and can be easily popped into the shopping trolley without much fuss. But what makes homes far more interestin­g are big, statement plants.

While those mini succulents might be tempting in their tiny pots, they’ll do little more than liven up your desk or shelf.

Large plants, on the other hand, can make a beautiful, architectu­ral impact in a space. During the current restrictio­ns, larger plants can be a little tough to get your hands on, but you should still be able to order from a local nursery or specialty plant shop for delivery.

One drawback with large scale plants is that they will set you back more than a smaller leafy accessory. A large indoor tree could cost you several hundred euro. However, many large plants will ring in under a hundred euro and will offer you a ton of visual interest. You can also make plants taller by placing them into a plant stand to give extra height, which can give medium-size plants a boost until they grow a bit.

But if you have the budget, that drawback pales in comparison to the impact a large plant can make in your home, giving you a one-ofa-kind element that won’t be seen in other homes in the neighbourh­ood.

When you’re considerin­g such an investment as a monstrous monstera or ceiling-height fern, make sure you have the space to really let it shine. Tall ceilings and a bit of breathing room can offer the perfect combinatio­n for bringing in a large plant, but they’re certainly not required.

Do make sure you have enough space so as not to squash the plant into a corner. You’ll want to give them enough room so they don’t get lost beside a sofa or in the shadow of a sideboard.

Finally, make sure you read up on how to care for your larger-than-life accessory, or ask a local plant expert for advice.

Choosing the right spot in your home that offers the correct amount of sunlight is critical, as is feeding it the correct plant food and watering it when necessary.

 ??  ?? Large plants can turn any room from generic into stunning (Oliver Bonas)
Large plants can turn any room from generic into stunning (Oliver Bonas)
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