Indoor plants- Allies in health and decor

In any space at home or in the office, plants enhance any room. They help in the curb appeal of the listed property.  According to philosophies such as Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra, they help optimize energy flow and offer practical solutions to divide spaces and create pleasant corners. Not only do the decorate, they are a health benefit because of their air filtering qualities.

Plants are great for first impressions. They make our homes look happier and more welcoming. And that is just what we need when showing properties to potential buyers and renters.

Nowadays most people start looking for properties online. When scrolling through pictures, plants can help give a sense of scale to the spaces they are in.  They also add visual depth.

When you declutter your home to prepare if for sale, plants can fill in the empty spaces.

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Plants also remove toxins from the air, related to so-called volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). These include substances such as formaldehyde (found in carpets, vinyls, cigarette smoke, and garbage bags), benzene, and trichlorethylene (both emitted from synthetic fibers, inks, solvents, and paints).

Caring for interior plants

When choosing plants, it is necessary to be realistic about our time and willingness to care for them. You can ask your local nursery which are the recommended species for your interior and what is their basic care. However, experts agree that the key is a good dose of common sense and observation to recognize your needs.

Choosing your plants

In today’s increasingly small homes, the ideas are limitless. You can start with a small plant inside a glass vase and adorn it with white stones. This is a different and natural solution that highlights the green of the leaves. If you have more space, you can use taller plants, such as bamboo, known as vegetable steel for its hardness and flexibility.

Another species that will bring a sculptural air to the room is undoubtedly the cactus (some look like real works of art and are perfectly integrated into design environments and do not need much water). Regarding where to place them, there is nothing established. However, take into account that, in hallways the light tends to be more scarce. The kitchen, for example, can benefit from a touch of color if a violet or some edible plants such as rosemary and basil are present. These can also add a pleasant smell to the environment.

Orchid’s are always very elegant and delicate. They are used to add a pop of color, even in minimalist environments. If potted, these plants do not need the base plate. Regarding its location, the same plant will tell us if we have placed it in the right place or not. When the surroundings (humidity, temperature, lighting, etc.) are appropriate for the species, if the specimen does not thrive, try moving it around.

The Succulent – Their unique shape and sizes add instant visual interest anywher you place them. Some can grow up to three feet tall (high-impact indoor look). Smaller varieties, like the popular aloe vera, work great in small, sunny indoor spaces. They like room temperatures (around 70 degrees) and lots of sunlight. Avoid frequent watering because they prefer drier soil.

The Spider (chandelier): they add visual interest to a room and have not gone out of style after years. They like evenly moist soil and bright to medium lighting conditions. Keep at temperatures from 60 to 75 degrees.

The Dieffenbachia (called Lottery, in our countries): Used to provide a tropical appearance due to its long leaves. It thrives in normal room temperature conditions and in uniformly moist soil under medium or low lighting conditions.

The Zamia: it thrives in moderate to bright light. It has a slow growth habit and does well in good potting soil as long as the container has excellent drainage.

Dracaena trifasciata (snake plant). They are practically indestructible! Usually needs to be watered 1-2 times a month. It will rot easily if overwatered. It needs moderate to bright lighting in order to be healthy and look good. Ideal for beginners because of its low maintenance!