How to greenify your space

Want to grow some plants at home, but don’t know where to begin? We’re here to help

OK, so by now, we all know the power of houseplants. Having greenery in your home doesn’t just look great, it’s also been proved to lower stress and make you more productive. But if you’re a natural-born plant killer (we see you) or you haven’t got much space, it can be tricky to know how to get started. We asked the experts…

FOR YOUR INDOOR GARDEN Nik Southern, founder of florist and plant company Grace & Thorn, offers her advice on keeping houseplants WHICH PLANTS SHOULD I PICK?

Try and choose a few plants with different textures – for example, something spiky next to something soft and billowy creates visual interest. When it comes to greenery, more is more – plants work better in groups because they release moisture as part of their photosynthetic process.

WHERE SHOULD I PUT MY PLANTS?

There are few rooms that are completely wrong for plants – even a bathroom with minimal light can be filled with greenery. Ferns, palms, aloe vera and money plants all work well here.

HOW SHOULD I DISPLAY THEM?

The right pot can make all the difference. Tonal ceramics and pops of yellow look great with most houseplants.

HOW DO I KEEP THEM ALIVE?

Don’t be scared to cut off yellow or brown leaves – removing them means you’ll leave a healthy plant behind.

Dust on your plants’ leaves blocks sunlight, so clean them regularly with a wet cloth.

Heat and sunlight dry out soil, so pour a little topsoil into your pots when your plants look worse for wear.

Plants need repotting every 12 to 18 months. Choose a pot around an inch bigger than your current one.

Remember that leafy plants will often want more moisture, whereas plants with thicker structures – like cacti, snake plants, or plants with woody stems – only need water every few weeks to keep them happy.

Whatever your space, it’s best to start by adding structural plants. Using evergreen varieties will provide you with a year-round green backdrop, which can be enhanced with other plants as the seasons change.