Few things refresh a home as quickly as a bit of green. Plants soften hard edges, add colour and make a space feel more alive. The good news is that you do not need a large garden, a sunny flat or a lot of time to enjoy them.
Real or artificial?
Both have a place. Real plants are lovely if you have the light and the routine to care for them. High-quality artificial plants, such as a real-touch palm or banana plant, are ideal for darker corners, busy households, rented homes and spaces where real plants struggle, like hallways and bathrooms without windows. Many people mix the two.
Kitchen ideas
- A windowsill herb row: basil, parsley and mint in matching pots look good and are useful when cooking.
- Trailing plants on open shelves: they soften rows of jars and crockery.
- Fresh stems on the table: a small bunch held in a flower frog (kenzan) lets you create simple, elegant arrangements with only a few flowers.
Living room ideas
- One large statement plant in an empty corner has more impact than lots of small pots.
- Group plants in odd numbers, such as three, at different heights for a natural look.
- Use stands and baskets to lift smaller plants up to eye level.
Garden, patio and balcony
A few large planters by the back door, a tropical-style palm on a balcony or trailing greenery along a fence can transform a small outdoor space. Artificial greenery is a practical option for exposed spots where real plants struggle through the British winter.
Keeping real plants happy
- Check the light first. Most houseplants like bright, indirect light, away from radiators.
- Water less in winter. Overwatering is the most common reason houseplants fail.
- Use pots with drainage holes, or place a plastic pot inside a decorative one.
Keeping artificial plants looking real
- Dust them every couple of weeks with a soft cloth or a hairdryer on a cool setting.
- Shape the leaves and stems so they look natural rather than perfectly symmetrical.
- Place them in real pots with a top layer of moss or pebbles.
Shop our greenery and botanicals collections to bring a little garden into every room.
