Save Our Swiss cheese plants
Houseplants are super-trendy festive gifts ... but they can die in days without the right TLC
HOUSEPLANTS have never been more popular and, over the festive period, countless specimens are likely to be snapped up and given as presents. Yet despite best intentions, some of these beauties will fail to thrive in our care or turn into a bit of an eyesore, rather than something that enhances our interior spaces.
Of course, it doesn’t have to be this way. Indoor plants will flourish if you put them in the right place and give them some regular care and attention. And they will really earn their keep, rather than become a blot on the interior landscape, if you dress them up with some attractive containers and display them creatively.
Once you get a new plant, make sure you give it a good spot. Most prefer bright, but indirect light. Sadly, some rooms are a little on the gloomy side, especially over winter.
A clever way of boosting light levels is to use LED grow lights – these generally come with a timer but can be turned on and off by hand.
As a rule, avoid placing plants on windowsills above radiators as the rising heat will dry out compost, resulting in flowers fading, stems drooping and leaves shrivelling. Similarly, don’t display small plants on mantelpieces above working fireplaces or larger ones too close to an open fire.
Houseplants tend to be sold in plastic pots. These aren’t particularly pretty, so disguise with decorative covers – woven jute, seagrass and sisal ones are bang on trend. Make a note of the size of the pot to be camouflaged before shopping and avoid those with holes in the base to prevent water damage to surfaces.
The perfect decorative cover should be slightly wider and deeper than the original pot, ensuring that the black or terracotta coloured plastic is hidden. If the cover engulfs the pot, put expanded clay pellets in the bottom to give it a lift – this stuff also absorbs excess water, preventing roots sitting in a puddle.
Once they are dolled up, indoor plants can be displayed in many ways. Smaller ones are perfect arranged on windowsills, decorative mantelpieces and bookshelves, while large specimens make great statement pieces for the corner of a room – for maximum impact, use them as a centrepiece for a dramatic group display.
A stylish way to show off plants is to place them on stands. Keep things simple by putting individual houseplants on tripod stands – a group of t hree i n graduating heights makes an eye- catching feature. A tiered or ladder- type structure is a space- saving way of exhibiting a collection of living treasures.
Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’, string of pearls (Curio rowleyanus), Ceropegia woodii and other houseplants with lax or trailing stems look great in hanging pots. Another option is to use these prostrate varieties to add interest to vertical surfaces by displaying in wallmounted containers.
A huge range of hanging planters and wall pots are available from home furnishing shops. They come in all manner of shapes, sizes and styles, and are made from a variety of materials – metal containers will deliver a contemporary touch to interiors, while macramé plant hangers add a fun, retro vibe.
Different plants have specific watering and feeding requirements, so gen up on individual varieties to ensure they thrive.
Otherwise, remove any dying flowers and leaves, and if necessary, prune vigorous plants to keep within bounds. Remove dirt from glossy leaves by wiping with a soft, damp cloth.
Houseplants will occasionally attract pests. In my experience, the ones most likely to appear are mealy bugs – sap-sucking insects that look like tufts of cotton wool. They are difficult to eliminate as they hide in hard-to-reach places, but can be controlled with organic pesticides, such as Doff Greenfly & Blackfly Killer.