There’s a plant to suit everyone
Your lifestyle and personality are all-important factors for what plant you might succeed with. Which plant do you most recognize yourself in?
The starter If you’re completely green when it comes to plants, get a robust plant that is easy to look after. Suggestion: emerald palm (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The plant serial killer Are you a serial killer with a whole lot of plant deaths on your conscience? If that sounds like you, then you need to get a plant that’s difficult to kill. Suggestion: mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)
The jet-setter Are you a jet-setter with a busy job, lots of travel and the joys of the gravy train? Not home that often? You need an independent plant – get yourself a cactus. Suggestion: fishbone cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger)
Busy parents with young children If your job, children, clubs and activities all make demands on your time, you should go for robust plants that can tolerate some neglect. Suggestion: areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
The caring owner Do you like spending time with your plants – checking up on them, talking to them, tidying them up and tending to them a lot? Suggestion: calathea (Calathea orbifolia). This green, tropical beauty has a few needs, but is strikingly attractive. Definitely my favourite.
The smart one If you have the horticultural smarts, then go for a challenge. Suggestion: maidenhair fern (Adiantum). If you can manage this, then you know what you’re doing! Although exceptionally pretty, its need for plenty of watering, misting, plant food and light demands a lot of its owner. Fear of failure has prevented me from getting one of these – but perhaps it’s time for me to try?
The plant nerd Are you one of those nerdy types who likes plants that are unusual or a bit different? Do you also like to experiment and read up on plants and their various needs? Suggestion: avocado plant (Persea americana). To start producing your own home-made avocado plant, buy an avocado from the shop, eat it and put the stone in water – it’s that easy (see Avocado).
The fashionista Obsessed by trends? Get a Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa). Having said that, that was last year’s trend ... How about a false shamrock (Oxalis triangularis)? If you’re an on-trend plant person, there is the risk of having to replace your plants – big time. Probably best to just choose a plant you like.
The gourmand If you like to eat your plants, then there’s a veritable sea of green herbs that you can grow indoors year-round. Suggestion: parsley (Petroselinum crispum). If you put a small plant cultivation light or an LED light beneath your kitchen cabinet, you’ll be able to harvest fresh parsley year-round and add it to your meals straight from the pot.
The health-conscious If you’re concerned about the air quality in your home, get yourself a real air filter, such as golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum). This will help to remove contaminants from your interior air so that you can feel healthy and energized, have better skin and enjoy better sleep.
