Summer has officially arrived, and as the weather outside becomes warmer, our gardens are looking more beautiful than ever. But it’s the trend for bringing the outdoors indoors that is still going strong, making now the perfect time to bring some greenery into your home with fresh-cut flowers and potted shrubs. An easy way to breathe a little life into your living space, they can easily add warmth and personality to your interiors – but for those who have little experience with tending to foliage of any kind, it can be difficult to know where to start.
About 90% of questions and problems concerning plants can be removed by choosing the right plants for your home, so doing a little homework before you buy could save you the worry about whether you’re looking after them properly later down the line.
At this time of year, there are many different shrubs and spring flowering bulbs for sale, but not all of them will be suitable for the climate and conditions inside your home. The easiest way to go? Choose plants that don’t require excessive amounts of attention, and get to grips with their basic needs so that there is little room for error. Almost invariably, all plants need sunlight and water – but not all of them demand heat lamps, finely tuned temperature conditions and distilled water for irrigation.
So, if you’re eager to avoid high-maintenance shrubbery and keep your pot plants simple this summer then look no further, because we’ve picked out some of the easiest indoor plants to care for.
Aspidistra
This plant has numerous advantages: it is shade tolerant and safe for children and animals. Its special feature is slow growth, so if you want to observe the results of your care, this plant is not the best choice for you. It is simple to care for; you only need to water it after the soil is completely dry and wipe the dust from the leaves.
Fittonia
Among the advantages of this plant are shade tolerance and the fact that it inform its owner about the need for watering – you will understand by the state of the leaves. It is a groundcover plant, a fast-growing one, and there are many vivid species, meaning there are plenty of options for you to choose from. Water it after the topsoil dries, bathe in the shower once a month, and it will be just fine.
Succulents
If you have a bright spot that receives plenty of sunlight then you can enjoy stunning architectural plants by hanging succulents and cacti.
These desert plants just need a south facing window to thrive and be self-sufficient. They can survive months without watering and there is no need to worry about humidity or fertilizing. Neglect them and they will love you for it. Fill empty walls or hang them from the ceiling in bright rooms.
Sansevieria
Sansevieria is valued for its shade tolerance and its wide variety of representatives of the species. It is also slow-growing and doesn’t require a lot of watering, making it the perfect pick for an indoor plant this summer. Water it after the soil is completely dry and wipe the dust from the leaves.
Arrowroot
Another shade-tolerant plant, arrowroot is fascinating for its interactivity – putting its leaves together and closing them up in the evening, then opening them up again in the morning. Arrowroot is a ground cover plant that spreads and grows actively. Water it to the halfway point whenever the soil dries out and protect from direct sunlight for optimal results.
Asplenium
You’ll notice a pattern here because, yet again, asplenium is another shade-tolerant choice, which is great if your interior space doesn’t get natural sunlight flooding into it all day. Undemanding to air humidity, it’s a special plant that comes from the fern family – which just so happens to be one of the oldest in the world. Water whenever the top layer of the soil dries, wipe the dust from the leaves, and bathe in the shower once a month.
Philodendron/Epipremnum/Scindapsus
As well as being fast-growing, these plants are happy with varying levels of sunlight – but be warned, because its vines are capable of covering your entire living space! A great plant if you’re looking for that climbing effect, they can look great draped across hearths and fireplaces. Once again, watering them halfway when the soil dries out and wiping the dust from the leaves is all the care that’s required to keep them thriving.
