EPICURE Early Spring 2020

EPICURE home & garden
A PLANT FOR
EVERY SPACE IN
YOUR HOUSE
The sale of houseplants has grown considerably in the last
few years - a 10-15% year on year increase since 2013
according to the RHS. It is particularly prevalent among
young people - not so much as part of a décor choice
but more to fulfil a desire to have something to care for and
look after. For urban dwellers and workers there are also the
perceived health and well-being benefits. The RHS website has
the following: ‘As well as looking good, houseplants support
human health in homes, offices, school and hospitals.
If you have never had a plant in your life, having a plant at
home is the perfect place to start – and there is such a lot of
choice! My first books were on the subject of house plants and
I love to have plants of all types sharing our family home.
There is an enormous body of research going on at the
moment into the beneficial effects of various species, how
many you need to benefit either physically or mentally, what
specific problems they can alleviate and which species can best
tolerate the various conditions they are exposed to indoors.
Lack of light, temperature fluctuations, infrequent watering -
or too much watering - pity the poor indoor plant and yet for
all of the privations we put them through they still flourish!
As I travel around the country I see so many lovely orchids
on windowsills and the moth orchid or Phalaenopsis must be
present in a high percentage of British homes. You could also
chose a Spathiphyllum or peace lily, a Madagascar Dragon
Tree, Dracaena marginata or an English ivy Hedera helix -
drape them from cupboards and bookcases, group them for
more impact, have one large statement plant for a Wow factor,
whatever you choose make room in your life for a plant!
A Practical Guide to Growing Healthy Houseplants by
Matthew Biggs - matthewbiggs.com
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