Where can you buy houseplants?
I buy my plants from various places. You will find the best-quality plants in a proper plant shop, plus I always like to support local plant shops that employ dedicated professional staff. They’ll also be able to give you tips and advice on which plants are right for you and how to look after them.
I’m not a fanatic, so I buy my plants here and there. If I like something, more often than not I’ll yield to temptation. You can also find plants everywhere from nurseries to grocery stores. I was once told off by a committed flower shop owner who told me that I had “sold my soul to the dark forces” by buying plants at IKEA. Plants bring out passionate feelings in people.
WHAT PLANTS DO YOU GO FOR?
When looking for plants, go for the ones with strong, green, healthy and robust leaves, and avoid those with yellow, red or brown patches on their leaves. A weak and brittle stem can also be a sign that there is something wrong. Pests are often visible, so do a thorough check to see that the plant is free from insects, both on top of and underneath the leaves. However, if the plant has been trimmed in the shop, for example if the top shoot has been removed, this isn’t usually a bad sign, as plants sometimes become damaged during transport to the shop.
ARE PLANTS POISONOUS?
Both children and house pets may find it exciting to touch and taste plants. Most houseplants are not poisonous, but the sap of some plants may irritate the skin, mouth, throat and stomach. Swallowing the sap may cause discomfort, such as itching and stomach ache. If an accident does happen, the recommendation is to rinse your mouth and drink plenty of water – cold dairy products such as yoghurt can also reduce discomfort. If symptoms are severe, you should see a doctor.
Plants with irritating sap
