PLANTS GIVE BACK…

Did you know that plants are universal symbols for love, friendship, appreciation, honour and hope.
They improve indoor air quality by helping remove chemicals including carbon monoxide. The mere presents of house/office plants can reduce eye irritation, fatigue, headaches and dry skin. Workers in plant friendly environments miss fewer days and experience less job stress. Plants can increase memory retention up to 20%. Computer reaction times are 12% quicker when plants are placed near your work station. Some of the many plants I would recommend are:

Dieffenbachia
They are a popular houseplant because of their tolerance of shade. Dieffenbachia are an attractive plant with large leaves green and or variegated..It is fairly easy to keep and grow. I always suggest you have half of your indoor plants out in the shade on your veranda and the other half inside. Then around every 6-8 weeks swop them over
So they all get some lovely fresh air. This way they keep healthy at the same time…

Calathea
They like light shade or dappled light indoors. Do not expose to direct sunlight as it will fade the leaf colours. It prefers warm and humid conditions and needs to be fertilized regularly. Calathea also thrive in bottle gardens and terrariums due to their high humidity. Needs regular maintenance.

Dracena
As you can see below they can be used as an amazing advanced indoor plant. They come in many colours and are very hardy and easy to maintain. They love to bush up with a regular cut back and fertilize. Regular watering and they can be trained to create an architectural sculptured look.

Lucky bamboo
Great indoor plant for beginners. You can buy them in a single stem and grow in a lovely vase of water. Or pot them up in soil as you see here in the pretty decorative pot. Tough little plant. Even though named a Lucky bamboo, it’s not from the bamboo family,it is actually a dracaena.

Philodendrons
Philodendrons are among the most popular, tolerant, and durable of all house plants.
There are many different species of Philodendrons ,each possessing its own characteristics as to leaf size, shape or colouring. Some species climb while others remain in more of a shrub shape. What philodendrons all have in common is their ability to survive neglect and adverse conditions. They will tolerate low light ,keep the soil evenly moist, but allow it to dry out between watering.. Over watering will cause the leaves to turn yellow…Under watering will cause the leaves to turn brown and fall off.

It is a good idea to wash the leaves on your indoor plants regularly
to prevent the pores from becoming plugged with dust..
Good luck with your indoor plants.
Until next time, happy decorating…..

Estelle Cornell
Managing Director – Allora Gardens
Ph: 0419 817 012
E: estellecornell@gmail.com
www.alloragardensnursery.com.au