AS THE seasons change, waving goodbye to summer doesn't have to mean the end of enjoying gorgeous plants.
You can still keep your home feeling alive with houseplants, whatever your decor style. For those new to keeping plants indoors though, knowing what to have where can seem tricky.
Claire Bishop, houseplant buyer at Dobbies Garden Centres, offers the following tips on how houseplants can enhance a number of different styles and moods
:: Au natural
Lush green plants paired with rugged terracotta containers bring the outdoors into your home. The popular Boston fern, with its arching green fronds, can develop into a perfect sphere of intricate greenery.
Alternatively, go for the sansevieria succulent, which adds attractive marbling to the mix. Commonly known as snake plant or mother-in-law's tongue, sansevieria are much more soothing to have around than either of their nicknames suggests.
:: Typically tropical
For a more vibrant look, seek out dazzling tropical plants such as the Calathea peacock plant. As the name suggests, this plant is all about display, with a feathered effect in different shades of green.
Since it originates in warmer climes, Calathea will be perfectly at home in the humid atmosphere of a bathroom or kitchen - where it's likely to expand over time into a substantial, bushy addition.
:: Family fixture
For a bright, cheerful addition to any family room, turn to dependable, easy-to-grow favourites such as the spider plant. Thriving even in a brightly-lit lounge, the bold stripes of the variegated Chlorophytum will last all year round. Try a hanging basket to display it to best effect.
The peace lily is another go-to houseplant, being beautiful and almost indestructible – it actually thrives on under-watering. With its pure white flowers and deep green leaves, it's a calming presence. It's also one of the best plants for removing air pollution.
:: Shabby chic
Dispense with tradition and opt for 'guests' that will bring personality to your rooms. Coconut shells, coffee tins, brass cans – most houseplants aren't fussy – they'll thrive equally happily in unconventional containers.
Based on an ancient Japanese art, Kokedama (which directly translates as 'moss balls') are plants rooted in soil, wrapped in moss and bound in thread. Much more than just a houseplant, these are pieces of sculptural art, perfect on a windowsill or suspended from the ceiling.
