With booming houseplant sales as we stay home during lockdown, many are looking at ways to brighten their rooms and improve air quality. Analysis of Google Trends data shows that searches for houseplants are 95% higher this month than they were last February, before the pandemic started to affect the UK.
But as we crank up the heating during the cold weather, there is a risk that radiators and open fires could be killing our plants. So we have researched the 10 most robust plants and offer tips on how to make your plants happy at home.
1. Pothos plant (Epipremnum) (£15)
Truly one of the toughest and easy care houseplants. They prefer bright light, but adapt well to lower light levels too. Best placed on a shelf where the vines can fall freely. Water every 5 to 7 days and keep soil evenly moist.
(Height range: 30-38cm Space range: 30-61cm Lowest temperature: 16-27 degrees Celsius)
Available here: https://www.patchplants.com/gb/en/plants/devils-ivy-110/
2. Mother in laws tongue (Sansevieria) (£10)
Sansevieria is a stress-free houseplant that seems to thrive on neglect! Will grow in just about any container. Allow soil to dry between watering.
(Height range: 46-91cm Space range: 0.6-0.9m Lowest temperature: 10-27 degrees Celsius)
Available here: https://www.patchplants.com/gb/en/plants/snake-plant-22/
3. Spider plant (Chlorophytum) (£6)
Easy to grow plant that can thrive indoors or outdoors. Can grow in containers or a hanging basket. Best to allow soil to dry slightly between watering.
(Height range: 15-20cm Space range: 20-25cm Lowest temperature: -1-4 degrees Celsius)
Available here: https://www.patchplants.com/gb/en/plants/curly-spider-plant-281/
4. Aloe vera (Aloe) (£7)
An easy to care for and useful plant. It’s soothing gel is often used for medicinal purposes. The soil only requires watering once the soil dries and it should only need repotting once every two years.
(Height range: 20-61cm Space range: 30-61cm Lowest temperature: 10-27 degrees Celsius)
Available here: https://en-gb.bakker.com/collections/aloe-vera
5. Money plant (Crassula) (£15)
A great plant for anyone wanting a low-maintenance plant or who is inexperienced with houseplants. Prefers a gritty soil that is allowed to dry out in between watering. In winter, water less frequently.
(Height range: 15-30cm Space range: 30-38cm Lowest temperature 10 – 27 degrees Celsius)
Available here:https://www.gardenersdream.co.uk/crassula-ovata-friendship-tree-in-12cm-pot-p1174
6. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) (£13)
When the plants is thirsty it will make you aware by drooping its leaves in an obvious way. Once water, it will simply perk back up again. Allow soil to dry between watering.
(Height range: 0.3-0.9m Space range: 0.3 – 1.2m Lowest temperature: 10-27 degrees Celsius)
Available here: https://www.gardenersdream.co.uk/spathiphyllum-sweet-silvio-peace-lilly-in-9cm-pot-p1466
7. Ivy (Hedera) (£7)
An incredibly tough plant that will adapt to most conditions. It is best kept high on a shelf or hanging basket so its leaves can hang. Watering is only required once every 5-7 days.
(Height range: 15-20cm Space range: 23-30cm Lowest temperature: 16-27 degrees Celsius)
Available here: https://en-gb.bakker.com/products/ivy-hedera-wonder?variant=31777920942155
8. Philodendron (£14)
This low maintenance and vigorous plant enjoys being misted in summer with reduced watering in winter. Typically a watering once every 5-7 days will be adequate depending on light and temperature. Can handle being in all kinds of containers.
(Height range: 15-91cm Space range: 30-91cm Lowest temperature: 16-27 degrees Celsius)
Available here: https://bloomboxclub.com/products/green-sweetheart-plant-philodendron-scandens
9. Eternity plant (Zamioculcas) (£15)
Happy in low light and requires little attention. Will be fine in most containers and only needs watering once soil is dry.
(Height range: 30-61cm Space range: 46-61cm Lowest temperature: 10-27 degrees Celsius)
Available here: https://hortology.co.uk/products/zamioculcas-zamiifolia-zz-plant?
10. Cast iron plant (Aspidistra) (£20)
This is a reliable, easy-to-maintain, and slow growing plant for indoors and outdoors. Will adapt to most types of soils and enjoys room to spread.
(Height range: 30-51cm Space range: 0.3-0.9m Lowest temperature: -18–12 degrees Celsius)
Available here: https://www.patchplants.com/gb/en/plants/aspidistra-44/
Plant expert, Tom Brown, offers these top tips to help your plants adapt to your home:
- “Provide a consistent temperature as much as you can, avoiding plants near doorways, draughts and heat sources like radiators and open fires.”
- “Humidity – misting plants daily or by placing your plants on a tray with gravel will allow surplus water to leave the roots and provides a little extra humidity.”
- “Clean windows for maximum light and clean leaves for photosynthesis. Dust can settle on large leaves in particular so give the leaves a wipe with a damp cloth.”
- “A well-insulated room avoids fluctuating temperatures which houseplants hate.”
- “Behind your curtains can be very cold, bring houseplants out from behind curtains at night, not subjecting them to that cold pocket of air, just inside the window.”
Sarah Broomfield, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said:
“During cold weather, it is important to heat your home efficiently but taking care over how you use your heating could have the added advantage of helping your houseplants to thrive
too.
“Also consider if you really need to set your thermostat so high. Keeping the temperature down by just one degree could reduce your bills by £80 a year.”
You can also find information on which houseplants are best for the different rooms of your house here https://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/best-houseplants-index/