Autumn is here with leaves bursting with colour and slowly floating to the ground. As temperatures in Manitoba become chilly, it’s time to start thinking of ways to bring the beauty of nature indoors this winter.
Indoor plants are an excellent decorating tool that can instantly add comfort to any space. They also help to purify the air around them. There are several options when choosing the perfect plants to add life into each area of your home.
Placement
The amount of light in a space should dictate where you place your plants. Not all plants have the same light requirements which means you’ll need to be creative when choosing the right location.
Typically, the rule of thumb is south-facing windows usually receive high light levels while east, west and north-facing windows are generally considered medium light. If there is a room with no windows, low-light plants can be cycled into a naturally lit room for a few weeks before returning into a dimmer area.
A plant’s pot will also effect where it should be placed. Consider how each pot will look next to a specific piece of furniture. Various shapes and colours will affect this.
If you’re placing plants next to one another, it’s best to keep in mind how they grow; it may look odd if a tropical fern is placed next to a cactus. Keeping similar plants next to one another will make it easier when caring for them and will add a cohesive element to an interior.
Entertaining areas
Entertaining areas are often open spaces with plenty of light such as the living room or dining room. This allows for a variety of plants with large green foliage to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Split-leaf philodendron
The split-leaf philodendron is a popular houseplant that is easy to care for. It is native to the jungles of India, Panama and Mexico. This plant grows quickly and produces leaves that can reach three-feet long and two-feet wide. As the split-leaf philodendron matures, its glossy heart-shaped leaves will split from the outer edges towards the center vein which are referred to as cuts.
This large tropical plant is low maintenance and is prefect for any large space.
Kentia palm
The kentia palm will spice-up any corner with its slender trunk and long overhanging feathered leaves known as fronds, which are dark green in colour. This elegant shape will create a tropical feel that can reach a height of five to 12 feet.
The kentia palm is slow growing and is native to Lord Howe Island which is east of the Australian coast. This plant is easy to care for and will create a relaxing tropical ambience.
Silver falls
Silver falls will instantly brighten up any area with its cascading silvery green foliage. This plant is traditionally grown outdoors as groundcover but makes a spectacular potted plant when brought indoors. Silver falls is best situated on a high shelf or hanging from the ceiling. This plant loves to spread, so be prepared to trim it back once in a while when needed.
Low light areas
There’s no need to be afraid of placing certain plants in low-light areas such as a basement, bathroom or office. These plants are easy to grow and thrive in dim locations.
ZZ plant
The ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) plant is extremely durable and is often mistaken as an artificial plant since it is extremely low maintenance and almost always looks fresh. This plant has a waxy sheen and grows round leaves at its base that gracefully taper to a point. The ZZ plant originates from eastern Africa and does well under fluorescent light.
Snake plant
The snake plant has long two-toned leaves that grow upright. There are about 70 species of snake plant that can be found in the sub-tropical regions of Europe, Asia and Africa. This is an excellent plant for filtering air while incorporating eye-catching foliage that looks as though it’s slithering up through the air.
Pothos
Pothos is a wonderful plant for a busy lifestyle. It will spruce-up areas with low sunlight and can handle a skipped watering. Pothos plants can grow six to 10 feet in length and can sit in a pot or hang as a vine.
Pathos leaves are heart-shaped and are capable of flowering, although this is quite rare when kept indoors. There are a variety of pothos plants including golden, tricolour and marble queen.
Better sleep
Placing specific plants in the bedroom can make a huge difference in getting a good night’s sleep. Several elements such as insomnia, stress and poor air quality can prevent someone from getting the relaxation they need. Luckily, there are several soothing plants that can naturally promote sleep.
Jasmin
Jasmin’s gentle scent is a natural sleeping aid that reduces anxiety to allow for a peaceful sleep. Its dark green leaves are paired with star-shaped white to light pink blooms. This is a wondeful bedroom plant for restless sleepers.
Lavender
Lavender is a bedroom favourite with its purple blooms and greyish green foliage. This herb has a calming aroma that is known to lower blood pressure, slow down heart rate and reduce stress – perfect for inducing deep sleep.
Lavender originates from the Mediterranean which means it loves sunlight and dry soil. To help lavender flourish, fill its pot with an inch or two of limestone gravel with a soilless container mix. Alkaline can be added by blending a tablespoon of lime into the soil.
Gardenia
Gardenia has glossy evergreen foliage with white blooms to create an elegant shape. Its soothing fragrance will help you feel rejuvenated in the morning with a better quality of sleep.
Gardenia is native to Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands. To mimic these humid climates, regularly mist gardenia plants with water to achieve optimum blooms.