Don’t Kill It! The Ultimate Houseplant Guide

from Cheshire's Golden Triangle Local July 2024

Experience Vibrant Community Living at Richmond Villages Nantwich

by Rick Simpson

Biophilic design, the incorporation of nature from the entire globe into our homes and workspaces, has steadily increased for multiple reasons but, without complicating the issue, the primary reason is a simple one, it makes us feel good.

In an increasingly techy world, the basic instinct within us is to stay connected to nature. In the summertime that is relatively simple, roll open those bi-folds and let the sunshine in and spend time outside. Sadly, our climate means those opportunities are all too infrequent.

The many wellbeing benefits of houseplants are available to everyone, they are hugely adaptable, some are table plant size, others perfect for trailing from a shelf and of course the medium and spectacular floor standing plants that can turn virtually any room or area from so-so, to so stunning.

The most common phrase I hear from people is “I always kill them!” The key to success is actually a simple rule which nature has taken millennia to perfect. All plants have evolved according to their environment, in other words you have to match the plant to the space.

A humidity loving plant that likes good indirect light will thrive in a bright bathroom, so choose it. With the best will in the world we cannot change nature, so work with it!

Selection and Care Tips

Every time a client, whether in our retail shop or for a large commercial project, asks what plants they can have, my first question is, “What is the light like in the space you have in mind?”. Once this is figured out then the options are opened up.

The good news is there are always multiple options for most indoor locations, the only exceptions being the obvious of very low or no natural light, or a south facing very large window. All living plants live through the sun’s energy so faux is the only option in total darkness. There are numerous plants that thrive in full sun such as the Ficus family, Crotons, Succulents and Cacti, again following the rules of considering the plant’s original home, such as semi-desert or tropical regions.

Andrea & Rick from Tropica

The even better news is that in the majority of homes or workspaces, the light is medium and indirect with perhaps full sun for a couple of hours a day, the majority of houseplants, or as we call them tropical plants, prefer this. This is because they flourish well below the dappled light created by the high tree canopy in their native environment.

Unfortunately, the labels on many plants are symbols which are generic and somewhat unhelpful, especially considering they can represent a reasonable investment and you want them to actually thrive, not just survive. We take a different approach, as well as each plant having brief but precise bullet points regarding required light, humidity and watering, we will engage and ask the key questions on these points and present multiple options.

The other unfortunate aspect of buying from superstores or similar is their transport, storage and in house care between departing the nursery and sitting on the shelf. Has this been done correctly or has the plant been stored at some point below the temperature in which it can survive? Has the plant been drowned or underwatered? You will only know the answer a month later as the plant may not thrive despite your best endeavours.

Watering, or the lack of it, is also vital. Unlike UK garden plants that will often need daily watering in hot or dry spells, with a few exceptions, houseplants can go 1-2 weeks between watering, in fact this is vital for their long-term wellbeing.

Large plants in large pots will always need less frequent watering than a tiny plant as the volume of compost will easily hold enough water to ensure the plant has a good quantity of moisture to meet its requirements. So, if holidays are your thing, no problem! Just give it a little thought. Perhaps move it away from a bright window or give it a little more water than usual.

Remember all houseplants will need only a third of the water during the winter than they require in their peak growing months, which are April to August.

To assist photosynthesis, clean your plant’s leaves on a regular basis either with a microfibre glove or clean lint free cloth.

Misting for many plants is a much more effective way of keeping them hydrated, so if you feel the urge to water, but the compost is moist, just give the foliage a good mist, especially if that is the instruction on your Tropica label!

Once you understand the rules it really is as simple as 1-2-3-do-re-mi.