Now that we’ll be stuck at home, may as well pick up a new hobby...

For us the last couple of weeks have meant focusing our efforts on how we can grow both as people and as a brand.

Now more than ever we think we are all realising the importance of organisation and creating a space that we really enjoy being in. We’ve learnt to sit and listen to our thoughts, our community and even pick up a few new hobbies along the way.

So, today we thought it would be fun to introduce our new hobby for others who might want to try something new at home - Growing plants indoor.

Whether you want to grow a single trailing vine, a luscious leafy monstera, or some herbs, fruits or vegetables that you can use in your cooking, this is the perfect time to get into indoor planting.

Where to find plants..

You can buy plants from local stores — many are offering contactless delivery during quarantine.

These stores that sell plants also typically have everything else you’ll need like planters and pots, soil and fertiliser if you need it.

If you have a green-fingered neighbour, friend or family member, you can also propagate a plant.

Choose the right plant for your home..

The first step to becoming a successful plant parent is being honest with yourself about what kind of light you have and how much time you’re willing to spend caring for your plants.

Do you have floor-to-ceiling windows? That’s great, we’re really jealous, but also keep in mind many plants don’t need that much sun exposure.

When selecting a new plant take a look at the instructions on a plant before purchasing. If it says high or direct light, bright, sunny rooms (they will face the south or southwest) are perfect. Medium/in-direct light plants require a spot in a bright room, but perhaps farther away from the window. Low light plants will thrive in darker rooms - rooms that face the north or have a smaller window.

Do you live in a basement apartment with a selection of pocket-sized windows? Let us be the bearer of bad news - the plants that will thrive in your home are limited.

Don’t be discouraged, read on to find more ways on how you can be a better plant parent.

How much effort do you want to put in?

Are you going into this with a positive attitude, thinking you will soon own a thriving mini-nursery?

Great, get all the plants. Or perhaps you’re the one who tends to kill plants, but you’re going to do better this time! You swear!

Let’s start with more approachable plants before we commit, all of which will be more forgiving to beginner plant parents.

Some good starter plants are: dracaena -an easy-going plant with many different iterations, Dracaena can vary from yellow to green to rich tri-colour.

Snake plants - lovely, arching leaves look to make a statement even in a small pot and can be easily split to make many new plants when you level up on your plant skills. They’re not super picky about how much water or light you give them either.

Golden Pothos Vine - a plant that grows aggressively quickly. Expect easy watering, and long, hanging vines.

Cacti/Succulents - did we have to state the obvious? These plants are basically built for neglect.

If you have pets - don’t jump on buying every plant you see. Ingesting plants can be hazardous to pets. So make sure you should see if the plant you are buying is toxic or not.

Are your plants in a good home?

No not your home. Are your plants in the right size pots? Are they draining correctly? What about the soil

When potting your plant, the pot your plant came in is probably the perfect size. As it grows, consider going up a size (which means one or two inches) but that only needs to be done every few years.

Too big a pot and all the moist soil will rot the roots away. Too small a pot and the roots won’t get all the nutrients they need.

If you’re still looking for the visuals of a pot and want to veer away from the traditional clay/black pot - try placing your pot in a basket.

If you’re going to buy new soil, houseplant soil is your best bet (unless you own out-of-the-ordinary plants like cacti, orchids, or others). The garden soil is too rich for your run-of-the-mill houseplant.

The last tip, be patient..

Some plants take time to acclimate to their new environment. If a few leaves drop off in the first couple of weeks, don’t panic!

Most likely, this is perfectly normal and is just a sign of your plant adjusting to its new home.

And don’t forget to talk to your plants.

They like that.

Photo courtesy @regardsetmaisons