Our renewed love of the humble houseplant is one of my favourite interior trends and it shows no signs of waning.
Houseplants can bring creative yet unpredictable layers of texture to a room. Consider the wild lush leaves of a potted palm tree breaking through the clean lines of a minimalist interior or incorporating a simple orchid to instantly add elegance to any space.
Houseplants can also play a pivotal role in improving indoor air quality absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, aiding our wellbeing by helping us breath more easily.
My favourite air purifying houseplants include the beautifully calm Peace Lily, with its soft dark green foliage and year-round flowers, bringing a touch of Zen to a living room or hallway. The white and green marbled leaves of the English Ivy look lush and bountiful hanging in macrame planters or cascading from shelves or bookcases. I also love how the graceful arching blades of the Kentia Palm cast shapely shadows across plain interior walls.
Though most plants take away oxygen at night, there are some like the proud upright snake plant that take in carbon dioxide, keeping oxygen flowing during the dark hours. This helps towards a restful sleep making these plants excellent bedroom companions.
For those with dire track records at keeping our leafy friends alive, these plants are all low maintenance enough to forgive the odd missed water. Not being particularly green-fingered myself, I’ve personally found these plants practically indestructible, unless overwatered.
Studies show being around plants can improve concentration, memory and productivity hence why I always recommend placing a few elements of green in the home office.
When it’s bleak and wintery outside with bare trees and barren flowerbeds, inviting lush greenery inside to create an indoor jungle not only looks and feels amazing, it also reminds us that spring is just around the corner.