FOCUS ON: HOUSE PLANTS

I’m not very green-fingered at all but I love to have plants around. Every plant I’ve owned has ended up worse off once I’d gotten it home but I’ve never given up on them. Even the time I accidently left my cheese plant in the conservatory on the hottest day of the year and all his leaves crisped up. He was still alive, and I nursed him back until all his leaves grew back.

That’s the wonderful thing about plants – if you treat them right then they’ll thrive and give back so much joy! I was researching the best plants to have in your home, whether it be because they’re hard to kill, or they purify your air or can survive even if you forget to water them. I compiled a handy list of these houseplants into my Houseplant Guide to give you an easy at a glance list to help you pick your next plant.

I’ve also collected together some inspirational interiors that feature houseplants. They show the wide scope of ways you can incorporate plants into your space. Some of these interiors are plant-heavy and I know some people don’t have the time or space or light to have own so many plants (how long must it take to water them all!) but I hope that if you take a little inspiration to place one or two plants in your home I promise it will make your space more alive and instantly make your home more inviting and appealing.

Some of the ways you can incorporate plants into your home:

· Plant shelving

· A large tree-like plant in the living room

· Layering of plants on different levels – some on the floor and some hanging from the ceiling

· Hanging plants are great if you’re lacking space

· Plants surrounding your bath

· Cover the edges of the room – sideboards and ledges in plants in pots

· Create an inside living wall

· Drop hanging flowers over a dividing wall

· Create a string of hanging pots across a window

· A large cactus in a pot is a low maintenance way to make an impact with a plant

· Create a plant shelving system under a staircase

· Create an impact in an entrance or hallway with an oversized potted plant

· A ledge behind the bed is great for creating an inviting sleeping space (some plants are great for sleep so research the best plants with these properties)

· A little tree in a corner by the window

The important thing is to look at the space you have and pick the perfect plant or plants to go in that space.

Also included in this blog post are great tips for where to buy the plants from the houseplant guide - plus a few extras. If you’re not feeling green-fingered at all you can get the same impact of a house full of plants without the stress of trying to keep something alive with faux plants – some of them look so real, you’ll even fool the experts- until they get in close! And once you’ve decided what plants you would like you’ll have to give them somewhere stylish to live so I’ve added examples of some of my favourite pots and accessories to give you some inspiration.

And if you want some extra reading or a really beautiful coffee table book to go in your new plant friendly room, I’ve included some books on plants for you to enjoy.

If you’re not a plant mother but you know someone who is and need some gift inspiration for them; I’ve made a list at the end of this post of plant themed presents to give or to treat yourself with.