So here's my chance to learn a bit about plants and how to look after them, in the end we chose plants that were pretty forgiving and don't need much attention.
Dracaena- Origin - Subtropical and tropical regions.
- Care Tips - Very easy to look after. If leaf tips get brown (from dry air) just snip them off with scissors. If lower leaves on the stalks turn brown, simply remove them - this is a natural process. To prevent them turning "leggy", you can cut off the top section and root it in a glass of water. The stem should then sprout two new leafy tops
- Trivia - Dracaenas are excellent at cleansing the air of impurities and harmful chemicals, particularly trichloroethylene.
Spathiphyllum wallisii- Peace Lilly (Simon Pegg in Hot Fuzz was obsessed with his peace lily)- Origin - South and Central America.
- Care Tips - Plants will droop when they need watering - but try to water them before they do this! Peace lilies are unlike other plants in that if they are reluctant to flower, put them somewhere less bright.
- Trivia - Currently second most popular houseplant in the UK. One of the best air purifiers according to research.
Phalaenopsis (Orchid)- Origin - South East Asia
- Care Tips - Enjoy a light spot, but no long-term exposure to bright sunlight. Regular, moderate watering ideally using boiled and cooled water. Provide high humidity, mist often but not on the flower heads. Feed with Orchid fertiliser every 14 days. Cut back stems after flowers fade to just below node which produced the first flower. Given the right conditions phalaenopsis can flower for months on end.
- Trivia - Effective in removing xylene (chemical emissions from adhesives, computer VDU screens, paints, photocopiers, stains and varnishes) from the atmosphere.
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