Sophie Hughes is a plant connoisseur from Felixstowe and here she is to tell you more…
If you’ve stumbled across this article and stopped by for a read it probably means we have something in common. That something, being plants!
Now, not all of us are expertly green fingered. Some of us just love the beauty of an aesthetically pleasing being, living in our homes looking the part. But what many of us don’t know is just how beneficial these beauties can be. Did you know there are actually physical and mental benefits to having plants in our homes or office spaces. They can in fact reduce stress levels, and in the current climate who doesn’t love the idea of that. Indoor gardening has been proven to calm, soothe and relax us and recent studies suggest they can even boost our productivity and creativity. And of course one which you may already know is their incredible ability to benefit our breathing - or the very technical and hard to pronounce term Phytoremediation!
Phytoremediation is the process in which plants, roots and soil remove contaminants from the air, improving the quality of the indoor air we breathe in.
Now, as amazing as all this sounds you may be reading this thinking, “I can’t even keep a plant alive!” I think if you’re into the idea of house plants and this rings true, you may have been tempted (like myself in the past) to buy artificial. But, with all these benefits we’ve talked about you’d really be missing out.
The most common misconception of keeping plants is how much water they need. It’s important to find out where your plant is native to. This is going to give you a great indication of how much water it needs, when to water it and even where to water it! For example, from the root or simply spritzing the leaves. Wilted yellow leaves is usually a sign you’ve been overwatering, and if the soil is damp take that as a signal to let it dry out before you water it again.
To help you along your plant journey we’ve listed three of the most popular choices and easy to keep plants below, which could be just what you need to give you the confidence in beginning your collection of house plants.
Monstera: Native to tropical rainforests and otherwise known as the cheese plant. This low maintenance tropical plant can adapt to most light conditions and likes warmth and moisture.
Spider Plant: Fairly fast growing and can thrive when placed in indirect sunlight. Your spider plant will soon have spider babies that you can share with your friends and family. Think once-a-week watering just enough to be slightly moist in spring and summer; in winter, allow the soil to dry a bit more between waterings.
Cactus: Most cactus varieties with good drainage and a few decent hours of sunlight can be your perfect low maintenance indoor friend. They appreciate dry air and average temperatures, so are super versatile for most homes.
So, next time you’re visiting the Felixstowe seaside why not pop by and see what’s on offer at Felixstowe’s very own Beau Plants, on Beach Street. We really do have something for everyone in the houseplant department. Whether it’s your first purchase or you’re an accomplished keeper of plant life you’ll be given a warm and friendly welcome.
And remember don’t let anyone tell you you have too many plants. Maybe you just need more shelves!
Written By Sophie Hughes
Owner at Beau. Plants
