GARDEN DESIGNER BUNNY GUINNESS’S TIPS FOR CREATING AN INDOOR PLANT THEATRE

Position is key; plants prefer a more humid atmosphere than humans so if it is in a centrally heated space, choose carefully. I have shallow galvanised metal trays made to measure for my kitchen window sills, which are permanently full of plants – I hate a mishmash of messy saucers or rings on the wood from the pots. If you got these for your plant theatre shelves and put a layer of pebbles in the base with a touch of water, it would raise the humidity locally.

Consider the design, and don’t forget to make your collection look cohesive, as that way you get far more impact. You could go just for herbs, for example: basil does brilliantly on my dry, sunny kitchen windowsill all year round. Thyme is the best herb for mass use, and bay, rosemary, and parsley should do fairly well, too.

Pelargoniums are good inside – the scentedleaved ones with understated flowers are gems. A range of these would be lovely to brush your hand against to savour their fragrance.

I always have an aloe vera on my windowsill: any stings or rashes are easily treated just by cutting off a leaf and rubbing the sap on your skin. A range of other succulents and cacti mixed with aloe vera on a plant stand would enjoy the dry atmosphere indoors and take a minimal amount of care.