Houseplant sales in the UK have increased by 50% since 2019, as more people realise what a rewarding hobby it can be.
How popular are houseplants?
Consumer studies published by Horticulture Magazine suggest cultivating houseplants has become one of the UK's most popular indoor pastimes.
The average UK householder spends £306 per year on houseplants, according to a poll of 2,000 adults by One Poll for Miracle-Gro. Younger people usually spend the most. The average person buys two new houseplants monthly, but those aged 18 to 24 buy double this amount.
Householders say houseplants have a positive impact on their life. Around half the respondents said they bought plants to "bring nature into their home", with 36% saying this "improves their mood".
More than one-third of adults said they couldn't imagine a home with no plants. However, it's not all plain sailing, with more than 50% of people saying they had accidentally killed their plants through a lack of knowledge.
The biggest issue is overwatering, with 54% of householders admitting this had led to the death of their plant: 30% said their plant had wilted and died because it didn't have enough sunlight.
Why do we like having houseplants in our homes?
Visually, houseplants add colour and create a sense of achievement as we watch them grow. Scientific studies have proved that plants can actually lift our mood: in less than 20 minutes, plants can help us to feel better.
It's not only seeing them that improves our mood: the aroma can also lift the spirits, according to research. A study conducted during the Covid lockdowns concluded people with houseplants had "significantly fewer symptoms" of anxiety and depression than those without. Being surrounded by greenery led to a feeling of getting away from social and physical issues.
What are some of the most popular houseplants in the UK?
Peace lilies are very popular, not least because they're easy to look after, but also because their white, sail-like flowers and dark green leaves brighten up the room. People also like Swiss cheese plants, as watching every new leaf uncurl is fascinating.
Cacti are also a popular choice, but need to be positioned where they can catch lots of bright sunlight. Cyclamens produce beautiful, dainty flowers, even in winter. They prefer a cooler temperature, so don't put them in direct sunshine.
Begonias are also popular. They prefer bright, airy rooms, with a maximum temperature of 13°C, and a little sunshine, but not continuous direct sunlight.
African violets need a minimum temperature of 15°C and should be placed in a bright room, although not in strong sunlight. They need artificial lighting to keep them happy in winter and encourage them to flower.
The amaryllis produces beautiful, large flowers when placed in rooms without direct sunlight, which can be too bright for them. They flower more in winter than in spring, so are popular as a houseplant that provides colour in the colder months too.
How long do indoor plants typically live?
Depending on the species, and when kept in the right conditions: on average, indoor plants live for between two and five years, but there are exceptions - some will live for upwards of 20 years.
If your indoor plants tend to die quite quickly, this is usually due to a number of common problems relating to their care.
You can help them live longer by avoiding beginner's mistakes, like underwatering. A symptom of this is if the leaves start to turn brown. If you notice the leaf tips are dying and turning brown and crispy, you should give them more water on a regular basis. Another reason for brown, dry leaves is putting your plants in too much direct sunlight. A combination of too little water and too much sun can prove deadly.
Do any houseplants endanger pets?
A note of caution: if you're a pet owner, please check that the houseplants you're planning aren't toxic to your four-legged friends - especially young dogs who might enjoy digging and chewing something new.
Aloe vera plants are moderately toxic to dogs and can cause lethargy, diarrhoea and vomiting if ingested. Some varieties of cactus plants can be harmful to pets because of the sharp spikes.
Azaleas are among the most dangerous plants for dogs. They contain a substance called grayanotoxinhor that is highly dangerous to pets. As well as causing nausea and vomiting, in severe cases it causes breathing difficulties and even coma.
Before you buy new houseplants, it's best to check with your vet, or via an expert website, whether they're pet safe.
5 tips for people caring for houseplants
If you're a newcomer to indoor gardening, or if your plants aren't faring too well, you might find these 5 tips helpful.
- Use the correct plant pot
Many expert gardening sites recommend using porous ceramic pots, such as terracotta. They dry more evenly after the plant has been watered. Another good option is a wooden planter, although plastic pots can be used if you're worried about the weight of ceramics, particularly when it comes to larger plants.
- Cut off any brown bits
Brown bits on leaves are a sign there's something wrong with your plant. The most common cause is insufficient watering. Whatever the cause, it's rarely very serious. While diagnosing the problem, you may as well trim off the brown leaves. They're not going to go green again and it will make your plant look prettier.
- How you can tell if your plant desperately needs watering
When the plant's leaves are going brown and crispy, this can be a sign it needs watering desperately. There are other simple ways to check before it becomes this serious. Look at the soil's surface. If you can see it's dry, water it immediately. There are other simple techniques, such as touching the soil with your finger to determine whether it's too dry. You can also buy a moisture sensor for an accurate reading of soil water levels.
- Does your plant desperately needs light?
One of the main warning signs that your plants need more light is a deterioration in their growth pattern. They may start to appear spindly, thin and weak. They may have a "leggy" appearance because they are growing quickly in their desperate search for a source of light. If the stems appear thin and gangly, it could be time to reconsider their location.
- Check for disease
Keep an eye on your houseplants and check for changes in their appearance. Crown and stem rot is caused by fungal mycelia often found in soil that is too damp. A nutrient deficiency can occur if you don't feed or repot your plant when necessary. Plants make their own food by photosynthesis, but extra nutrients may be needed to sustain new growth. Sooty mould is easy to spot, as it's a waste product produced by various pests. Identify the pests - ask for advice at your local garden centre if needed. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to clean off the existing mould.
Reuse plastic bottles to help houseplants
We've all read the news about the damaging effects single-use plastic bottles are having on the environment. Luckily, there are many ways you can reuse them for houseplants. It's a type of green upcycling process!
Turn big plastic bottles into plant pots – why not make your own unique hanging baskets? See our blog on Spring gardening to find out how!
Plastic bottles can be used to grow indoor culinary plants including thyme, parsley, basil and rosemary, or small tomatoes and peppers.
Turn standard-sized plastic bottles into little watering cans, ideal for tending smaller plants like succulents. Simply make a small hole in the lid of each bottle to allow a slow trickle of water. Four-pint plastic milk bottles from the supermarket can be turned into a larger watering can using a similar technique.
As a responsible company, Solent Plastics does not provide single-use plastic products. Our storage solutions are designed to last a lifetime! Whether you're looking for small storage boxes for seeds and bulbs, or sturdy shelving units for your plant pots, feed and compost, Solent Plastics has an environmentally-friendly solution.