In the era of social distancing and work-from-home jobs, Saralyn Wasserman shares her favorite way to infuse life, color, and tranquility into our homes: using houseplants. With an expertise that allows her to turn any dwelling into a thriving oasis, Saralyn is a maestro in the art of botanical transformation.
In this article, Saralyn Wasserman delves into how to turn your home into a lush indoor garden using carefully selected and lovingly tended houseplants.
Are you ready to transform your home into a green sanctuary, bursting with life and color? Imagine walking through your front door and being greeted by a tropical oasis that calms your senses and purifies the air. Their vibrant foliage and organic contours can infuse any home with warmth and elegance.
Choosing the Right Plants
Creating an indoor garden paradise requires carefully selecting houseplants that suit your space.
Consider Lighting Conditions
Houseplants have varying light requirements, ranging from low to bright — including indirect light. All plants need light, but some plants tolerate low-light conditions much better than others. Be sure to match the conditions of your space with the light needs of each plant. Consider windows, curtains, and the changing direction of natural light throughout the day to choose the right plant for each location.
Consider the Humidity in Your Home
As with light, some houseplants need high humidity to thrive. Many tropical plants fit this description, such as fig trees, ferns, and prayer plants. Understand the pre-existing humidity levels in various locations throughout your home and choose plants that will thrive under those conditions.
Selecting Houseplants to Match Your Lifestyle
Each plant comes with its own care requirements. Some are forgiving and resilient, while others are delicate and need close attention. Saralyn Wasserman recommends that when starting your indoor garden, be sure to choose houseplants that align with your lifestyle — and the care you can provide. For example, low-maintenance options like ZZ plants, pothos, and snake plants are perfect for beginners and people with busy schedules. On the other hand, if you enjoy the process of nurturing plants, and your schedule allows, you can choose more demanding varieties that require regular care.
Incorporating Houseplants into Your Home
Once you’ve chosen the right houseplants, it’s time to position them around your living space.
Finding the Perfect Location
Different plants may thrive in differing locations within your home. For example, bathrooms are ideal for humidity-loving plants, while bright light near a window is perfect for sun-seeking plants. Pay attention to each plant’s needs.
Saralyn recommends plants that will tolerate low light, such as snake plants, pothos, ZZ plants, and peace lilies for spaces that have limited natural light.
Enhancing Aesthetics and Ambiance
Saralyn Wasserman asserts that houseplants are the ultimate decor enhancers with their vibrant colors, and varying shapes and textures, and they can add a touch of natural beauty and elegance to a room.
Saralyn recommends using the organic lines of plants to artistically break up straight lines in the home. She also encourages mixing plants of varying shapes and textures to maximize visual impact, such as combining tall, spiky plants with bushy, trailing ones.
Larger plants such as monstera and fig trees can be used as focal points and to add a sense of drama to a room. To make the most of vertical space, add hanging plants such as ivy, ferns, and spider plants to provide a touch of elegance and gracefulness.
Caring for An Indoor Garden
Having transformed your home into a lush paradise, proper care for your indoor garden becomes paramount.
Watering and Soil Requirements
Ensure you water your plants according to their specific needs. Overwatering or underwatering can lead to a variety of problems. Also, use well-draining soil to prevent root rot and promote healthy growth.
Providing proper lighting and temperature
Consistent lighting and temperature are crucial for your plants’ well-being, so make sure they continually receive the right amount of light, and that they stay within their preferred temperature and humidity ranges. Artificial plant grow-lights are a very good option when your plants need more light than your home can provide. Also, humidifiers and pebbled water trays can supplement when more humidity is needed.
Pest Control and Plant Health
Saralyn Wasserman states that maintaining a thriving indoor garden necessitates continual plant pest control and maintenance. Here are some tips to keep your plants healthy and pest-free:
- Regularly inspect your plants for potential pests and diseases.
- If you identify an infested plant, isolate it from others to prevent the pests, fungi, and/or viruses from spreading.
- If you encounter pests, use insecticidal soap and/or neem oil to treat the plant.
- Keep your plants clean by removing dead leaves and debris.
- If your plant outgrows its pot or shows signs of root-bound stress, repot it into a larger container.
Pruning and Grooming Your Plants
Regular pruning and grooming will help maintain the shape and appearance of your plants by encouraging bushier growth — a key to maintaining a plant’s lush appearance.
The Benefits of Houseplants
Beyond the aesthetic appeal, there are numerous benefits to creating your own green oasis.
Air Purification
Houseplants can filter out pollutants and toxins from the air, generating cleaner and healthier air to breathe. In fact, plants like bamboo palm, spider plant, and gerbera daisy are known for their remarkable ability to absorb and filter harmful chemicals and pollutants from the air.
Humidity Regulation
Plants can also increase humidity levels as they release water vapor into the air. This increased humidity can contribute to a more comfortable and healthy living environment.
Creating a Tranquil and Relaxing Atmosphere
In our increasingly isolated and technology-driven lives, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the natural world. Houseplants can help bridge that gap by bringing nature indoors, delivering peace and tranquility to your home — even if you live in a bustling city.
Summary
In conclusion, transforming your home into a lush paradise with houseplants can be fulfilling and enjoyable. With the right selections, placement, and care, you can create a serene and vibrant haven in your living space and bring happiness and tranquility to your life.
