Indoor plants
There is a very high probability that every home has at least 1 houseplant. Even if you haven't bought one yourself, someone has certainly given you one as a gift. For many, indoor plants are indispensable, for others a source of stress. How do I keep this plant alive? Why does my plant get yellow leaves?
This blog focuses on 1 topic - you guessed it – indoor plants 😊
A bit of history about indoor plants
In ancient Rome, indoor plants were already seen as a decoration of their atrium (open courtyard in the house). These were mainly native species at the time. During colonisation, plants travelled the world, leading to the appearance of botanical varieties from tropical rainforests or even desert plants. Since then, it has become normal to keep plants indoors as decoration. Over the years, we can certainly recognise different trends, which like many events in history, come popping back up regularly.
What trends are there in indoor plants?
Throughout the years, indoor plants have become a part of our interiors. As such, they follow certain trends, although it is hard to predict which plant will be "the next wishlist plant".
Plants with beautiful flowers
Climbing plants on moss poles
Hanging plants
Plants with variegated leaves
Plants with colourful patterns on the leaves
Plants with exceptionally beautiful leaves
Plants that purify the air
Minimalist plants
Plants in terrarium
Etc
Trends lead to some plants being bought more than others at certain times. This popularity is a recurring phenomenon. Although it can take several years for a plant to become fashionable again. For example, it took +/- 30 years since the 1970s for the Monstera deliciosa, also known as Swiss cheese plant, to become hot topic again. Other plants that also made a great revival from grandmother's time include the Chinese money plant or pancake plant (Pilea peperomioides), snake plant (Sansevieiria) and the rubber tree (Ficus elastica).
Other plants are less trend-sensitive and are a regular item in many a living room. They are usually grown in very large volumes and are therefore constantly available at lower prices.
You probably have 1 of these indoor plants in your living room:
Kalanchoe, Areca palm, Dracaena (corn plant or dragon tree), Hedera (ivy), Spathiphyllum (peace lilly), Yucca (needle palm).
Or maybe you have an incredibly large number of houseplants in your home, but not a single one from the above-mentioned list. That especially says something about you - yes you! You are trendy!
Why exactly are these plants called "houseplants"?
Most houseplants grow in the wild, just not always in our climate. They thrive in tropical climates with high humidity, warm temperatures and 12 hours of daylight. So you can't plant them in the garden, and leave them outside all winter long. They need at least 10-14°C, which you can give them inside the house or bathroom, for example.
Can you put indoor plants outside?
In recent years, we have had nice warm summers, which means we spend a lot of time on our terrace, balcony or in the garden. Of course, you can bring your beloved houseplants outside to add to the cosiness outside.
Just be careful of the following:
- Houseplants are usually not used to direct sunlight - adjust them step by step.
- Water evaporates faster in sun and wind - so water them regularly.
- Keep a close eye on the night temperature - colder than 14°C is too cold.
If you take your plant collection outside, you should also be especially careful not to buy too many new plants. When the sun is shining, it is of course hard to resist all those beautiful wish-list plants. After the summer, you need to get the whole collection back inside and it would be sad if there were no more room for some of the plants.
Why do people have indoor plants in their homes?
Brightening up your home with beautiful houseplants is something of all regions and all ages. Whether you want to purify the air in your living room, or you are addicted to plant shopping, no problem - it is definitely a healthy hobby! Sometimes a plant is seen as a piece of furniture. Instead of placing a decorative lamp or a sculpture, you might as well put an eye-catching indoor plant in your living room.
We talk and write a lot about the younger generations ( millennials and Gen Z), who are getting married later and later (or not at all), co-housing in rental properties and therefore have different needs. Because they do not live in their own homes, they like to surround themselves with their plant babies. That way, any space can be transformed into their own personal spot! Also, taking care of the plants on a daily basis, gives meaning to your life - who doesn't get happy, when your little plant grows and grows and grows!?!!?!
Where to buy indoor plants?
Because of the hype, houseplants are being thrown at you, so to speak😊 You can get them literally EVERYWHERE. Plant shops, furniture shops, interior design pop-up shops, coffee shops with plant sales, online shops, marketplaces, facebook groups, instagram plant accounts, pop-up plant sales.... you can't list all the places where you can buy plants nowadays.
In future blogs, I would like to visit different plant shops, and make separate blog posts around them. If you would like an article about your shop on this blog, please contact me.
Enough written about houseplants - my fingers are starting to itch to take care of mine!
Have fun reading about indoor plants while visiting this blog!