The apartment decoration is not complete without the inclusion of indoor plants. Besides enhancing the aesthetic value of a room, they give the following health-related benefits: improve air quality, reduce stress. In this guide, I will give recommendations to follow in order to fit indoor plants into the interior of your house, as well as, to make them grow healthy.
Picking the Best Place for Your Greens
The first thing that needs to be considered once you have decided to introduce some plants to the apartment is the location of the plants. One of the necessities of plant development is light, therefore, the location must be well illuminated by natural light. When choosing plants for your apartment, especially if it has little light, go for the ones that grow in areas with little light. It depends on a plant species, some of them are better adapted to low-light conditions, but one has to know it. For instance, the plants that are born in the areas of partial exposure to light will not be able to survive in a rather dark area.
Also, take into account the temperature and humidity of the spot. Pot plants should not be placed near sources of heat such as radiators as this dries up the soils and the plants. Windows that are found in areas with a lot of direct sunlight may burn the leaves as well. They can scorch the leaves. For individuals who have their plants placed in cold areas of the house, be careful about drafts that can come through the window or the door. Plant positioning is important as it determines the exposure of the plant to light and heat for effective growth.
Lots of Plants and Little Plants: How to Correctly Place Them
Each plant is not suitable for any given climate. There are some plants that favor humidity, such as the bathroom plants, and there are others that favor dry air. For instance, snake plants (Sansevieria) suit the washrooms due to humidity preferable for their growth and low light conditions. In contrast, types of plants such as cacti are ideal for rooms that are sunny and dry because they contain water in their leaves and do not need to be watered frequently.
Thus, the size of your space should also inform your selection of plants in order to avoid overcrowding of the space. Some types of plants, if placed in large quantities, make a room look very congested while on the other hand very small plants may not be easily noticed in a large room. Consider the speed with which the plant grows and how big it will grow when fully grown. There are plants that grow fast, and such plants can fill up the pot very quickly and hence be used for frequent repotting. Others are small and much easier to cultivate in small gardens or even on the kitchen windowsill. Selecting plants depends on the aesthetic value, durability, and impact on the environment such as light and moisture requirements plus the available space.
Keeping Your Plants Healthy
After you have chosen your plant type and arranged them, it is essential to take care of them. These practices encompass irrigation, which in most cases has to be done according to the species of the plant in question. Under watering may lead to wilting, dropping of the leaves, while overwatering may lead to root rot. From the experience, one has to establish the time that every plant requires for watering according to the season and room climate.
Another important maintenance that is necessary for plants is pest control. Domestic pests such as red spider mites, scale insects, and aphids are known to affect plants and multiply fast. Prune your plants from time to time and look for signs of pests; act immediately if you make any observations. The natural remedies like utilizing neem oil or insecticidal soap can also be used or at times one can mechanically eliminate the pests.
Another factor is fertilization; this is because the plants require nutrients to grow and this is gotten from the process. But access of such nutrients is harmful to your plants. A controlled-release fertilizer used at the time of the plants’ active growing phase should suffice. Besides, look for the diseases, these are indicated by the discoloration of the leaves and turn yellow, appear as spots or mold. If you see any disease symptoms, remove the infected part and treat it before it spreads to the other organs.
To Achieve the Variety and Interest, the Following Can Be Done
New frame of life says ‘variation is the spice of life’ and therefore, indoor plants are also divergent from one another. People, therefore, need to combine distinct varieties of flora to enhance the beauty of their environment in terms of color, texture, as well as curiosity. It may be useful to place plants with differently shaped, sized, and colored leaves. For example, it is suitable to have a large plant with large leaves such as monstera next to a small fern.
Another way of beautifying your house is through the passion for flowering plants. For instance, orchids are exquisite and classy plants while the African violet brings a pop of color to the flowers. Living plants such as pothos or spider plants, for instance, can provide some direction in terms of height and are ideal for taking up the space on the wall. They can be propagated in hanging baskets or in some other higher designated area, they give a draping look.
Tried and tested methods of interior design can be very enjoyable and fulfilling for homeowners, especially when they are fiddling with foliage. They never hesitate to interchange some colors just to get the best of it. If your taste runs to the rather glamorously specular sorts of plants, there are hundreds of thousands out there or if you find yourself preferring the kind of green-on-green arrangements, there are just as many.
Designing a Focal Point with Plants
Hence, they are not only items that can be placed around the house and beautify the house and rooms but can also be the central furniture in a room. I have learned that it is possible to utilize plants to create the focal point for a specific area of a room helping to establish the mood throughout the remainder of the place. This can be achieved by placing several plants of the same kind at a particular corner or a big attractive plant at a strategic position like a window or in the middle of the house.
When placing the plants, one should also mix heights and kinds of plants to add as much depth as possible. For instance, you can put a very towering fiddle leaf fig adjacent to a more compact plant like the ZZ plant. Some accessories at the bottom of the structure can complement it, for instance, a few small indoor plants. As for plant placement, you can put into use plant stands, shelves, or fancy pots to stack some plants.
Moreover, plants are effective in how some space is divided and separated within a room or a home. For instance, a tall plant can serve as a separator of a living and a dining area in the same manner as a wall would. There are many reasons to pay special attention to plant decoration; the choice of the right flowers and the location of the plants themselves may turn into a statement and a part of the general apartment design.
How to Decorate Your Pots to Suit the Plants
The type of pots you decide to get for your plants plays a critical role in the design of your interior style. Pots can be made from clay, glass, metal, or wood material and one is likely to find a pot made from any of these materials having a unique look. For simplicity and neatness, pots should be simple, black, or any shade of one color. According to the design of your ceremony area, if you want to make it look more natural, then you should use some terracotta pots or baskets that are wicker/weaved.
This also means that you can paint or even add other decorations to the pots that you want to use. This is an interesting activity, which may be carried out individually and results in the formation of an extraordinary plant collection. For example, you can paint pots with geometrical shapes, strips, or with plain color that complements the walls of your apartment. Another way is to apply decals or stickers to add a touch of the ridiculous to the situation.
The most important thing is that the pots should be appropriate for the plants themselves and the interior of the rooms where the plants are placed. Bear in mind that the size of the pot is also significant; it should be of a reasonable size depending on the plant. A pot that is too small will not allow the roots to grow to their full capacity while a pot that is too big can cause the plant to rot from being waterlogged. Correct choice of pots not only serves a purpose of beautifying the plant but also complements the general interior design of your home.
Techniques for Windows for Plant Growth
Something as simple as windows is the perfect position to place indoor plants, especially those that need a lot of light. That is why it is recommended to locate plants on windowsills or beside windows for them to be exposed to the sunlight necessary for their growth. The number of hours of natural light depends on the direction in which windows and doors are placed. South-facing windows offer the maximum light while the North-facing offers the minimum. Windows oriented east and west allow medium lighting conditions which are quite suitable for most houseplants. A window garden can also beautify the look of your apartment if done properly. The light that gets into the space through the plants adds a warm and rather welcoming touch to the interior. There are tall and different kinds of plants which can be grouped closely one to another to form a thick carpet. Some other options like hanging plants will help one take full advantage of the height of the house. When choosing pots for your plants you should understand that if your windowsill space is restricted you can place your plants on stands, shelves, or use baskets for hanging them. Not only does this optimize the space it also creates interest. Those windows that face east or west, especially those getting the afternoon sun should avoid planting certain species that may be easily burnt. How about sheer curtains which will reduce the intensity of the light making the environment gentle for the plant.
Creating a Green Wall
A green wall or living wall is another creativity when it comes to planting in an apartment. This can range from a simple laid vertical garden space to as complex as a fully laid wall project. Henceforth, green walls not only create an aesthetic feature but also enhance the quality of air besides increasing the production of calming effects.
When planting a green wall you can simply let the vines such as the ivy or pothos grow upwards and spread outward. Mobile planters or pots which are hung on the wall are also utilized in the hanging of various plants. If you want more order use this trellis or grid-like approach to direct the growth of the plants.
If you cannot afford a full wall of greenery, you can have a part of the wall greenery or even have a corner greenery of the walls of the room. It is a useful setup particularly in instances where the available space in an apartment is small. A green wall can be a great feature and very inspiring and can also help bring some green into the concrete jungle.
The Process of Integrating Artificial and Natural Plants
For the people who would like to make their environment look more green but do not wish to deal with plant care, artificial plants might be a decent choice. Earlier, fake plants were not very good but nowadays, they are much better and look almost like the real thing. They are not dependent on water or sunlight or by any means, ensuring that they grow properly; it works best in areas that real plants will not grow.
Introducing both the artificial and natural plants to the indoor garden also works effectively to help create a more appealing and interesting indoor garden. For example, you can use fresh plants in areas where there is enough light and place fake plants in areas that receive low amounts of light. Altogether, it can contribute to forming a fuller and richer look of the flowerbeds without the necessity of growing many plants.
Living with artificial plants can also be a sensible decision if one often travels or is always on the go. They offer the benefits of greens that one does not have to water them, trim or clean as often as the other plants. Thus, artificial plants also need some care as to their appearance; they look more beautiful when kept clean and dust free.
Designing a Space that Can Be Used to Achieve Relaxation with the Assistance of Plants
Various types of plants can become a beautiful accent in the atmosphere of relaxation or meditation in your apartment. It is evident that a view of trees by itself efficiently lowers stress levels in the body. Accompanying these effects, the creation of a separate zone with plants will only add to these advantages and become a quiet oasis in your house.
It becomes possible to have a comfortable chair and a cushion with soft lighting and plants placed around the area. It may also be advisable to apply plants that release scents that have a calming effect on humans and such plants include lavender and jasmine. Other plants that are also suitable for a relaxation zone include ferns, the so-called heralds of death or peace lilies, and snake plants as they can be grown with little light.
Having plants at the workplace also plays the function of contributing to the creation of a more pleasant working environment. Research has as well indicated that workers who have plants in their office tend to be more alert and the quality of air inside the office is also boosted. Some small plant on the desk or several larger pots on the nearby shelf could help to create a pleasant working atmosphere without looking hospital-like.
Conclusion: Helpful Tips on How to Introduce Greens into Your Home
Introducing greens into an apartment is one of the most efficient and uncomplicated ways of enhancing the appearance of an apartment through introducing liveliness, colors, and serenity. For the gardening beginner or those of you with the natural ability to grow anything, there are a variety of options that are available for the consumer. Thus, the correct choice of plants, their placement, and correct care will help to create an attractive and unhindered atmosphere at home.
In combination with creating focal points and green walls to the integration of artificial and natural plants, there is much that one can do. The idea is simple and that is to enjoy the trial and error process and get the best plant that suits you and your home. It is not a secret that making your apartment as green as possible can have multiple positive effects on your life, so, here are some easy ways to do it.