A Passion for House Plants

By Katherine Sorrell

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A Passion for House Plants

Go green in style with our guide to creating a beautiful indoor garden in any room

There are many good reasons why we are all falling in love with house plants once again. They look amazing, for starters, adding colour, pattern, texture, interesting forms and a feeling of vibrancy wherever they are placed. They can fill a dull corner, provide soft screening and even help dampen down noise levels. They have proven physical benefits, too. The Royal Horticultural Society reports that indoor plants have been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce fatigue and headaches by up to twenty-five per cent. Intriguingly, patients in hospital rooms containing plants report decreased post-operative pain. This is powerful stuff! And then there are the psychological benefits: the satisfaction of nurturing something, perhaps from a small seedling, and watching it grow into a healthy, thriving, mature plant. There’s the regular pleasure and almost hypnotic task of watering, misting and pruning. There’s the link to the wider environment – perhaps we feel closer to nature through our house plants, even if we live in a busy town or city. The psychological benefits of house plants, says the RHS, have been shown to include reduced stress levels, a better mood, increased productivity and, potentially, an improved attention span. Whether it’s a solitary spider plant or a full-on biophilic bonanza, it’s true to say that plants just make us feel good.

What plants to choose?

When selecting house plants, it is wise to focus on those types that are happiest to live in our homes, where the environment is shadier and has greater fluctuations of temperature than in their normal habitat. Some of the most low-maintenance species – which not only have attractive leaves but are also pretty hard to kill – include: the aforementioned spider plant; the Boston fern; several varieties of dracaena, including the corn plant and dragon tree; Sansevieria trifasciata – aka the ‘snake plant’ or ‘mother-in-law’s tongue’; rubber plants (ficus elastica); peace lilies (spathiphyllum); aspidistra; and even good old ivy. Of course there are also succulents and cacti, which come in an enormous range of shapes and sizes, from tiny to towering, and tend to be relatively easy to care for.

If following fashion is of interest, a quick glance at social media will tell you all you need to know about the most on-trend plants of the moment. The mostdiscussed plants on Reddit in 2020, for example, included the pothos, monstera, philodendron, calathea, hoya and peperomia. On the other hand, the world’s most Instagrammed houseplants include the Swiss cheese plant (monstera deliciosa), fiddle leaf fig (ficus lyrata), Chinese money plant, snake plant and money tree.

Where to put your house plants

First, the practicalities. Generally speaking, plants need good light (but not overly bright, direct sunlight), and a position that’s neither too close to a fire or radiator, nor too draughty and cold. For darker rooms, such as bathrooms, make sure your plants can tolerate shade (they will probably love the humidity). A stable and waterproof base is obviously a must and, if there is any question that the plant might be harmful to children or pets, make sure it is

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well out of reach. Then it’s all about the aesthetics. A huge, statement plant looks incredible in the corner of a hallway, living room or dining room, or you can achieve a similar effect by grouping several plants together. Smaller plants can get lost on the floor, so try placing them on side tables or raising them up in tall planters. Obvious destinations for a row of small plants would be along a mantelpiece, high shelf or window ledge, or you could dot them among books and vases in a bookcase. Hang them from the ceiling or in front of a window, stage them on steps, or pop them on wall racks. Grouping in odd numbers always looks best, and a range of differing widths and heights looks relaxed – unless you are opting for a very smart, minimal, uniform look, of course. Think about the colours of the leaves – again, you could opt for varying shades for interest, or try for a more regulated appearance. What always looks nice is contrasting leaf shapes – tall and spiky with round and flat – creating a pleasing, natural variety. How many to use? It’s up to you – but be warned, this is an addictive hobby and you’re likely to end up with not only a green thumb but also an all-consuming plant obsession.

1 Many plants thrive on humidity, so placing them in a bathroom is a great idea. Ionian bath in copper, £5,082;

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2 Huge plants make a grand statement in a living room, especially combined with bold colours and architectural fittings. Charlotte Chandelier, £380, with 18cm pendant shades in Posh Pink velvet, £35 each,

Pooky. 3 Personalise a home work space with a series of small plants, placed at different heights for variety.

Gerry Floor lamp, £161; Drax desk lamp in black, £137: both Pooky.