There’s no better way of adding some greenery inside your home than by displaying a range of potted plants in various spaces.
We chatted to Carolyn Ashmore, a landscape designer and founder of The Atrium, to find out how you can create feature spaces in your home by using indoor potted plants.
Five ways to display plants inside
1. There are so many creative ways to arrange indoor plants. A simple two-pot cluster with matching smaller and larger pots works wonders to brighten a dull corner. I’m also seeing a movement towards taller pot styles that mimic vases but are planted with pot plants.
Atrium Plants
2. Plant stands are also trendy at the moment and are available in a range of materials from mild steel to wood. They add interest, height and drama to an otherwise average plant-in-a-pot scenario, particularly when pairing a tall plant stand with a lovely hanging plant that drapes down.
Atrium Plants
3. Macrame plant hangers have made their comeback from the ’60s and are great for boho-chic interiors and beach houses. Making use of hanging planters from the roof saves space in confined areas and adds an ethereal dimension. Hanging plants like the Pothos are great air-purifiers and make splendid dangling displays. You can also train them up a trellis, pillar, staircase or shelf.
4. Wall-mounted plant pots are also great space savers. EcoPots, which has just launched in South Africa, has introduced a new wall-mounted self-watering system, making it super easy and mess-free to hang plants. Lechuza also has a wall kit, which can make a fabulous green artistic display.
Lechuza
5. Use plants to frame bold pieces of furniture. You can also display plants behind a couch, in between the couch and the wall. Place the plants on top of stands, stools or even a pile of books to create different heights. A seating space surrounded by lush greenery is so inviting!
Atrium Plants
Top tip
When grouping plants, always remember to contrast textures. Pair a plant with large bold leaves next to one with fine, thinner leaves, or pair something that wouldn’t make sense like a cactus and a palm. Use plants with dark green leaves next to plants with lime green leaves.
Taking care of your indoor plants
– The number one tip is never to let your indoor plants sit in water. This is the biggest mistake people make. As most indoor planters don’t have drainage holes, the plant ends up sitting in a puddle of water after it’s been watered directly in the planter, leading to root rot. It’s better to take the plastic nursery pot out the planter and water in the sink. Wait for the water to drain out the drainage holes before returning the nursery pot to the planter. Also place a layer of small stones/pebbles at the bottom of the planter to prevent excess water from pooling.
– Most indoor plants like to dry out at least 2cm to 3cm down from the top surface of the soil before being watered again. The best thing to do is to stick your finger in the soil and feel if it’s moist or dry – overwatering is more dangerous than under-watering.
– Give your plants enough light near an east/north-facing window. Morning light is the best kind, while harsh afternoon light can burn leaves.
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