By Relocation.com
Congratulations on your exciting moving experience. One simple way to add life and freshness to your interiors is to decorate it with plants. Plants not only add a touch of green but also a glimpse of nature. In some cases, a beautiful indoor plant can become the room’s primary accent piece. In others they can be sit discreetly on side tables and pedestals, whatever size they are, adding vibrancy that would not otherwise be achieved by inanimate decor.
If you want to decorate your room with plants, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Do you have the time to take care of your plant?
Plants look best in a room when they look healthy and are well cared for, when the green leaves glow with life and the plant stands proudly lush. Shriveled and withered plants suggest neglect. There’s nothing like a dying plant to dampen a room’s atmosphere. When hiring moving companies, remember to ask them for the best boxes to secure your plants.
Is there natural light in the room?
Plants thrive best with natural light, so it is best to place them in a room where there is ample sunlight coming from your window. In fact, the best place to keep an indoor plant, particularly large and heavy ones, are near windows which are kept open during good weather.
If you place a plant in a room or a place in the room where there is little sunlight, you will need to air and sun your plant often, at least twice daily for some varieties. Even plants that don’t crave as much sunlight would have to be brought outside once in a while.
And what about indoor temperature and humidity?
You also need to consider room temperature and humidity. Most plants thrive in humid conditions. But some plants like cacti prefer dryness. Make sure that the plant you get will match the heat and humidity in your home. But, if you would still like to keep exotic plants that require conditions that are very different, consider buying a humidifier (or a dehumidifier) and be prepared to control indoor temperature during winter or summer.
What size of plant should you get?
It’s a cliché but true: plants come in all shapes and sizes. And when you start looking for a plant for your living room or hallway you will find that there are tens of varieties to choose from. A good rule of thumb would be, first decide where you intend to place the plant — near a window? On a small side table or a big center table? On a desk?—and that should be your guide to size.
Small plants arranged artfully like miniature gardens in a shallow dish will look good on your coffee table. A medium-sized ornamental bush with or without blooms would look perfect on a side table or a pedestal. As mentioned earlier, it’s best to keep big and heavy plants near windows.
You’ll find that decorating with plants is enjoyable, but don’t overdo it! Unless you’re aiming for that ‘tropical jungle’ look, one, two or three in a room is the perfect number.
A few indoor plants can really brighten up your home
By Vance Stevens
Special to Relocation.com
While commercial settings typically offer an atmosphere of large, indoor plants, they don’t have to be limited to dentists’ offices and malls. In fact, indoor plants add beauty and function to any indoor space and can be a perfect addition to brighten up your home during those chilly winter months. Green plants also help filter the air, creating a healthier environment for work or play. And with a few strategically placed indoor plants, you can transform an ordinary space into a stress-free zone. Here are a few indoor plants that will help you brighten up your favorite room.
Palm – Coming in a wide variety of sizes and leaf shapes, palms range from just a few feet to over 20-feet tall. A few of the most popular pines are the Sentry and Bamboo palms, which can reach an average height of 9 to 10 feet, and the Areca and Chinese Fan palms, which average 5 to 6 feet in height. There are many different type palms to will meet your style needs.
Chinese Evergreen – The Chinese evergreen is an excellent selection for indoor gardening and decoration. With its low lighting needs and low maintenance, the plant is an aesthetic addition as well as a healthy one that is listed as a natural indoor air purifier.
Norfolk Island Pine – If you are looking to add a touch of the tropics indoors, Norfolk Island pines can reach a height of more than 10-feet and bring with them a rich aroma of the great outdoors. The plant’s resemblance to another type pine has made it a popular holiday decoration. Norfolks can survive in only household incandescent or fluorescent lighting if they receive a minimum of 16 hours of light each day.
Chrysanthemums – Chrysanthemums are resilient, colorful flowers that are grown indoors in any climate and outdoors. The plant is easy to care for and thrives with given exposure to at least a half-day of sunlight, moist soil and room to breathe. Chrysanthemums come in a wide variety of shapes and colors.
Ficus – There are several types of Ficus (also known as figs), and a large majority of them come well-suited for the role of large, indoor plant. Ficus Alii, (a type of Ficus characterized by deep green, long, narrow leaves) rubber plants and fiddle leaf figs are some of the most popular, and grow from 4 to 12 feet tall. The Ficus requires daily sunlight, ample humidity and water every 1-2 days.
Spider Plant – Spider plants are fast-growing, attractive perennials that feature slim, elegant leaves and small white flowers. A plant able to tolerate low-light conditions well, the spider plants can grow in the shade if given continually moist soil. If left in extended dry conditions, the tips of the long leaves will turn brown until water resumes. The spider plant is also excellent for filtering airborne toxins.
Wandering Jew – The wandering jew is a popular indoor plant that good for cleaning the air in the room. It is often grown in a hanging basket due to its sprawling tendencies. The plant’s 3-inch-long leaves are charmingly spotted and covered with a fine layer of soft fuzz. Place the plant in rich, loose soil in a dimly lit spot; remember to keep the soil moist for optimal growth.
Succulent/Cactus – There are several types of succulents and cacti that make impressive large, indoor plants. Milk Stripe euphorbia often exceed four feet in height and are nearly as wide. There are a number of tall, upright cactuses perfect for the indoors, such as Snowball, Silver Torch and the Column cactus.
If you have any questions, comments or inquires, please contact me at editorial@relocation.com.
