INSIDE GLORY

HOW TO SELECT AND LOOK AFTER INDOOR GREENERY

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THIS month might be a bit grim outside, but it’s a great time to enjoy indoor greenery.

Even in lower light, the right houseplants can bring colour, texture, and life to shaded corners. Success comes down to choosing plants that cope with shade, then watering less and cleaning leaves more throughout winter.

Understanding light in winter low light is not the same as no light. If you can read comfortably where they are in the daytime, many shade-tolerant houseplants will manage well. If the room stays gloomy, growth slows, so place plants nearer a window, rotate them, or use a small grow light. Greener leaves usually cope better than heavily variegated ones. Some homes are naturally dimmer year-round, such as north-facing rooms or those shaded by taller buildings.

ASPIDISTRA ELATIOR (CAST-IRON PLANT)

A classic for low light, with strong glossy leaves and a tidy shape. Let compost dry slightly between waterings, and wipe dust from leaves so they keep their shine. For a lighter look, Aspidistra elatior ‘Milky Way’ adds subtle speckling while still coping well in shade.