Greening up Your Space: Interior Design Tips to Bring Life to Your Home with Plants!

Plants have become a staple in modern interior design, bringing a touch of nature and warmth to any space. They not only add aesthetic value but also have health benefits, such as improving air quality and reducing stress levels. However, not all plants are created equal when it comes to interior design. Mature, established plants have a unique charm and character that off-the-shelf plants cannot match.

Mature plants, particularly those that have been passed down through generations or have a personal history, bring context and personality to a space. Inherited plants can be a sentimental reminder of loved ones, while acquired plants can be a conversation starter or a way to showcase one's love for gardening. These plants have grown to their proper size and proportion, and their presence adds a touch of sophistication and maturity to a room.

Musa Dwarf Cavendish Banana Tree from Lively Root

For those who may not have access to mature plants, designers suggest creating the illusion of a larger, more established plant by combining several smaller ones in a large pot. This trick not only adds volume to a space but also creates a lush and luxuriant look.

When choosing a plant pot, it is important to consider the size and proportion of the plant, as well as the style of the room. The pot should be in proportion to the visible plant above the soil level and coordinate with the dominant style of the room. Additionally, the pot should be about ¾ inch bigger than the diameter of the inner pot to allow for air circulation.

It is also worth investing in plants that can be propagated through cuttings, as this not only spreads the cost over multiple plants but also increases the variety of species in one's collection. Moreover, propagating plants can be a fun and rewarding hobby.

When renovating a space, it is recommended to move plants out temporarily to avoid damage from chemicals or strong smells. While health and safety regulations for indoor paints and floor treatments are now stricter, it is still better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the health of plants.

Zen Pet Friendly Collection from Lively Root

In conclusion, incorporating plants into interior design is a great way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere in any space. Mature plants add character and personality, while smaller plants can be combined to create a lush and established look. When choosing pots, size, proportion, and style are important factors to consider. Propagating plants is also a great way to increase variety and spread costs. With a little bit of planning and care, plants can transform any space into a green and vibrant oasis.

Greening Your Windows: A Guide to Choosing Houseplants Based on Window Orientation

Houseplants are an excellent way to bring a touch of nature into your home. They not only improve air quality but also add aesthetic appeal to any room. However, not all houseplants are suitable for all types of windows. Different windows face different points of the compass, and each direction provides a unique set of environmental conditions that can either enhance or impede the growth of plants.

Photo by Ceyda Çiftci on Unsplash and Alex Perri on Unsplash

Here are some tips on selecting houseplants for windows that face different points of the compass:

North-Facing Windows: Cool and Shady

North-facing windows receive the least amount of sunlight, making them the coolest and shadiest of all windows. Plants that thrive in low-light conditions and cooler temperatures are ideal for north-facing windows. Choose green, nonflowering plants with large, soft leaves, such as ferns, ivies, and peace lilies. Plants whose natural habitat is on the ground are suitable here, as they need less in the way of light and are more likely to survive in a north-facing window.

It is crucial to avoid standing plants too far back in a room with a north-facing window, as they may not get enough light to survive. All plants require light to photosynthesize, so placing them near the window will help them thrive.

South-Facing Windows: A Lot of Light and Occasional Strong Sun

South-facing windows receive the most sunlight and can become very hot on sunny days. Plants that thrive when they have a lot of sun and warmth are ideal for south-facing windows. Choose plants with patterned and variegated leaves, as they usually need a light position. Thick-leaved and tropical plants from dry, desert zones, such as cacti, succulents, and other plants that have spikes or are covered with hairs, can survive on south-facing windows with a great deal of sun.

It is essential to water and sprays the plants more frequently on south-facing windows, but not in the middle of the day, when the sun may heat up the drops of water on the leaves and burn the plant.

East and West-Facing Windows: Plenty of Light but No Strong Midday Sun

East and west-facing windows provide plenty of light but not the direct, intense sun that south-facing windows do. Most plants thrive in these conditions, so choose whatever you like best. However, it is crucial to consider what may be outside the window. A building, a large tree, a balcony, or another structure can cut out so much sunlight that the window ends up with as little as a north-facing window.

Just because indoor plants are indoors, do not ignore the natural cycle of the seasons. No plants flower all year round, and there are some plants that, in their natural environment, hibernate during the winter season. Geraniums (genus Pelargonium), for instance, need to stand in a cool, dark place during the winter in order to put out new shoots and renew their magnificent foliage when spring comes.

It's a good idea to have one set of summer plants and another set of winter plants, just as people had summer and winter curtains in the old days.

Read interior designer Simone Elderot and her take on plants here.

Selecting the right houseplants for your windows that face different points of the compass can help them thrive and bring a touch of nature to your home. Consider the natural needs of the plant and the environmental conditions of your window when selecting the plants, and you'll have a beautiful, thriving indoor garden in no time.