Go green with house plants
“Plants that stay together spread the cheer on a bigger note”, believes Horticulturist, Beena Shah of Daffodils.
Make your own group
Perfection in each plant is not essential. A plant that is not too attractive on its own can look great when in a group or pot.
Select foliage plants with fairly tall, elegant or feathery foliage to combine well with blooms. Never mix foliage plants with colourful plants in equal proportions.
Use hardy plants, as these do not require much care. Adorn your entrance. Create a long lasting garden of indoor plants. Keep your display in scale with the area. Some plants can soften an area and add life to a dull spot.
Buy plants that can adapt to the environment. Above all, ensure that they have ample humidity for their needs.
For your bathroom
Humidity in the bathroom can be up to 80%, making it a cosy environment for indoor plants. Choose suitable plants based on the level of natural light that usually penetrates through windows or skylights. A variety of plants makes your bathroom a lush escape.
Horticulturist Dhaanya Nair, Green Magic recommends;
HIGH LIGHT – Opt for crotons, azaleas and cyclamens.
MEDIUM LIGHT – Choose peace lilies, calathea and aglaonema.
LOW LIGHT – Buy spider plants, Boston ferns and philodendrons.
You can also include African violets, bromeliads, parlour palms, cast iron plants, bird’s nest ferns, ponytail palms, zebra plants and begonias to your list.
Creating a kitchen garden
Along with providing an ample supply of fresh herbs, a windowsill herb garden is also very aromatic and simple to start. To create this type of garden, you will first need to choose which herbs you want to plant, and what you will plant them in. After that, all you need is a sunny window, potting mix, water, and a little bit of patience.
Choosing which herbs you want to plant can be one of the hardest parts of starting a windowsill herb garden. Herbs such as basil, chives, oregano, parsley, thyme, and rosemary are very popular, considering they are used frequently and rather easy to grow. Mint also makes an aromatic addition to any kitchen garden.
After you have decided which herbs you want, you can purchase the seeds or individual plants. Seeds for a windowsill herb garden can be purchased at any nursery or large chain store. Some stores even sell herb-growing kits, which include everything you need to get started. Many nurseries also sell herbs that have already been started.
Make your own trays
Choose plants that have similar lighting and watering requirements. Don’t club plants with varying heights together. For example, group different ferns together or use the same plant with different colour variations for more variety. For a beautiful centerpiece, use plants with colorful foliage. If you group several plants together in a container, cover the pots with small pebbles.
Keep your plants happy
Sometimes, taking a plant and walking around with it, placing it against other plants will allow you to see combinations that would work. Finding the perfect plant combinations will always be a process of discovery, even for the most experienced gardener.
