“Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed… Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.”
-Henry David Thoreau
Houseplants immediately enliven and light up any room. First, it’s always nice to have something living and blooming in your house, apartment, or office. The extra oxygen is nice, too! Did you know that Prince Charles actually talks to his plants? So many have developed green thumbs and flourished as gardeners since the start of the pandemic; there’s nothing better when you’re cooped up at home than learning a new skill, getting your hands in some nutrient-rich soil, potting a beautiful plant, and then watching it thrive. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden patch or a spacious yard, you can plot out an entire flower or vegetable garden. If you live in a city and are able to acquire a community garden plot, that’s a wonderful gift in the middle of the asphalt jungle. Community gardens need our help! We need more of them. If you only have a windowsill, that’s okay, too! Think of Marilyn Monroe in Billy Wilder’s delightful 1955 comedy “The Seven Year Itch” with her tomato plants in the window (although one nearly hit Tom Ewell in the head).
Benefits of Living with Plants
Not only do plants indoors make our surroundings more beautiful and pleasant to be in, but they also help to improve the air we breathe! Indoor gardening is a must in the winter months when it’s cold outdoors. If you have a large window, try hanging plants from hooks. This will help maximize your space and add an exotic, natural flourish.
Must-Have House Plants
Chelsea Flowers has an impressive array of beautiful house plants! Drop by the shop to become a plant parent today!
- Fichus
- Fiddle Fig
- Money Plant
- Cacti
- Aloe
- Succulents
Orchids
“His heart was like a sensitive plant, that opens for a moment in the sunshine, but curls up and shrinks into itself at the slightest touch of the finger, or the lightest breath of wind.” – Anne Bronte
Find the perfect orchid from Chelsea Flowers!
(Double Phalaenopsis Orchid: “Certainty Orchid Single Twin-Stem Orchid” from Chelsea Flowers)
Orchids are known for their exotic beauty, but they also have a reputation for being a bit fickle. They are, however, completely worth it! An orchid can spruce up any space immediately. If you have an orchid in your home or apartment, guests will be immediately impressed with your elegant and refined taste. Now, we all know that orchids don’t like to be fiddled with too much: they like sunlight (but not too much) and warm conditions (so don’t keep them right by the window when it’s frigid outside). And God forbid, do not leave an orchid anywhere near the radiator during cold winter months! They need to be watered occasionally but not too much, so it’s a good idea to use a few ice cubes bi-weekly.
Tips for Developing a Green Thumb
- Remember that patience is a virtue.
- Do not overwater! This is probably one of the most common plants parenting mistakes.
- Make sure you know what sort of light and soil conditions your plant needs. Also, note how much water your plant requires (for example, aloe plants thrive when the soil is a bit dry). Make sure your pot is large enough so your plant’s roots have room to spread and a drainage hole is absolutely necessary so the soil doesn’t stay too moist. This can cause mold and rot.
For more information on the best house plants to buy and to purchase yours today, visit the Chelsea Flowers shop at The Lodge, Chelsea Harbor, London SW10 0XF.
To purchase orchids from Chelsea Flowers, visit the link below: https://chelseaflowers.co.uk/product-category/more-gifts/orchids/
The vintage images in this blog are sourced from @the_60s_interior Instagram page.