The indoor gardening craze has turned millions of individuals around the world into certified plant parents. Most people incorporate plants into their living spaces to spruce up their homes, but others add plants to improve their indoor air quality and mood. According to a survey of 1,000 respondents, it was found that the average person owns about 5 houseplants. The poll also reveals that those who own five or more houseplants are more likely to feel satisfied with their jobs, and they also report feeling more creative, productive, and happier in their home.
Plants are known to have multiple benefits for our overall health, so everyone should definitely consider indoor gardening for the sake of their well-being. Caring for plants indoors does present a few challenges though, especially if you live in a house or an apartment with limited space. Fortunately, there are ways to fill your abode with lush greenery without crowding your home. Here are some clever ways to incorporate plants into your small living space.
Place Tall Plants in Strategic Areas
Some people think that plants need a lot of care and maintenance to thrive inside a home, and that’s why many avoid having live plants at all costs. While it’s true that some plants are more finicky than others, there are quite a lot of indoor plants that only need a bit of sunlight to stay healthy, and they don’t need to be watered every day. If it’s your first time adding plants to your home, choose low-maintenance plants like pothos, snake plants, or Chinese evergreens. These plants do well even in low-light conditions, and they only need to be watered every 5 to 10 days, making them the perfect additions to your home if you travel often or if you’re too busy to do active gardening. If you live in an area with a dry climate, consider installing a whole-house humidifier to increase the moisture in the air. A humidifier can help create a suitable environment for your plants, and allow them to stay green and healthy all year round.
Once you’ve decided on what type of plants to get, think about getting one or two tall plants for your home. Tall plants can make your house look spacious since they draw the eye up, especially if these plants have slender trunks and branches. A tall indoor tree that barely grazes the ceiling, such as a New Zealand laurel or an olive tree, will add a touch of drama to your indoors while making the room look bigger.
Place these indoor trees in an area where they’ll be easily seen once you walk into the room. For instance, if you want to have a tree in the living room, place it near a picture window or beside the couch, and check to see that there’s lots of space around the plant to avoid squashing the leaves. If you can’t get a tall indoor plant, consider getting some medium sized plants and place them on elevated planters to create the illusion of height.
Group Small and Medium Plants
A good mix of small and medium plants is one of the easiest ways to create a green oasis in your home. But instead of placing them in random areas, group your plants in threes to create a striking look and increase their odds of thriving. Choose plant species to suit your space, and don’t overcrowd them so your plants can stay healthy all year round.
For example, if you want to have plants in a small air-conditioned living room, you can get a snake plant, an aloe vera, and a spider plant. Since all three plants have long leaves and do well in cold temperatures, they can all be placed on the mantle or on the floor. Plant them in matching pots or planters to create a cohesive look. Aim to have no more than 10 plants per room to avoid overcrowding if you have a small apartment or house.
Go Vertical
Got a shelf in the kitchen or living room? Instead of filling it up with knick-knacks, use it to house a few plants with trailing stems and leaves, such as English ivy, pothos, or donkey’s tail. Over time, these plants will create a cascading effect and you’ll have a green “wall” that won’t take up too much space in your home. If you don’t like trailing plants, how about having a shelf of potted herbs? This will enable you to save money and experience the pleasure of growing your food. If you don’t have a shelf, you can make a hanging planter with reclaimed wood, strong rope, and a few clay planters, or get some ready-made hanging planters to install on your wall.
You don’t have to have a large house to enjoy the benefits of indoor gardening. Consider these tips to incorporate plants into your indoor space, and see how living in a green oasis can change your life for the better.
