For The Love Of House Plants

DIY jungalow.

Reforestation, it seems, is the order of the day as plants fill every available space on our desks, in our homes and on our Instagram feeds.

Scrolling the hashtags is practically a full-time job – try #urbanjungle, #plantgang, #houseplantclub or #monsteramonday and watch your deadlines fly by untended as you look at green on green on green. (Also see: @boyswithplants.)

“People are turning their apartments into ‘house jungles’,” read The Washington Post. “Others prefer the term ‘urban rain forest’ or the cutesy ‘jungalow’. In this aspirational landscape, outlandishly and photographically lush is ideal, and filling your home with plants is ‘urban wilding’.”

via Instagram @folia_folia

Your green friends, though, are more than an Insta-ready interior trend.

Research shows that simply seeing plants can lower your stress levels. They drastically improve the air quality around you (NASA put out a report in the late 80s and it’s been the go-to ever since). And, there is also the Japanese tradition of nature therapy – a mindful walk in the forest to lower your blood pressure and up your mental wellbeing.

As if, though, you needed an excuse.

So, how to best take care of your jungle?

Know what they need

Do they need sunshine? Do they need water? Make sure they’re in the right place in your house. You want your green babies to thrive not just barely survive. The Peace Lily, for example, will tell you when it’s not happy. If the leaves are drooping, give it water. If the leaves are turning yellow, you’ve gone overboard with the drink. A good rule of thumb is to check the soil – if it’s damp to the touch, you’re good to leave it be.

Water them on the reg

Make it a Saturday morning ritual. Grab all your plants who are in need of a drink and whack them in the shower and let it run for a while. BYO rain. Also saves drenching your carpet.

Feed them

Some plants need a little help – be sure to fertilise as needed.

So, what are the best plants to invest in? Yes, we borrowed a little from NASA’s list too…

via Instagram @leaf_supply

Rubber Plant

The deep green and burgundy leaves are the perfect retro throwback. Treat it with bright, filtered light and water as it needs.

via Instagram @myplantlifebalance

Boston Fern

This is a bathroom special. Thriving in humid environments, besure to cut back their fronds in cooler months.

via Instagram @botanicalwomen

Mother In Law’s Tongue

Also known as a snake plant. In the right pot, it can grow up to two metres high. Super low maintenance and almost impossible to kill. Just don’t over water yours.

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