A dash of green will liven up any space, be it an already decked-up room or a dull corner waiting for some spruce. The easiest way to bring freshness and harmony indoors is to place a plant there
Botanicals include not only indoor plants or fresh flowers, but even herbs, dried stems like pampas or wheat, and even dried flowers or petals in frames. Though, not my absolute favorite, if chosen wisely, a faux stem might do the needful too!
1. Areca palm, Raphis palm, spider lilies, peace lilies, Syngonium, rubber plant, etc are a few easy-to-maintain plants that look good and can last a long time with little love and attention.
2. A pop of color can be added with pink Aglaonema, crotons, and coleus but to maintain these plants, a bit of work is needed to give them direct sunshine regularly.
3. There are expensive but stunning indoor plants like my personal favourite Monsterra or a fiddle leaf fig but need a bit more TLC.
4. Plants can add a glam factor to seasonal festivities, like marigold pots (Genda Phool) during Diwali and poinsettias during Christmas time.
5. Of course, seasonal blooms can beautify any deck in springtime. Inexpensive way to brighten up those dreary winter days.
6. My all-time favorite plant is bougainvillea, which can tolerate the harshest of summer and add color to life. I love to trim these colorful branches to add to vases indoors.
7. Even dried leaves like pampas, corn stems or wheat stems add a rustic charm.
8. Making your garlic bud or print coriander bunch in clean water on the kitchen window is the perfect way to verify a kitchen and make the greens last longer.
9. Growing fresh herbs including not only holy basil but Thai basil, oregano, and rosemary looks beautiful, and can be added to salads and dishes with the plus of not spending a bomb for the same. Ajwain (….) Growers easily too.
10. Lastly, what’s more beautiful than flowers, is nature’s way of smiling at us. I routinely put Fresh flowers in different vases around the house. Sometimes they’re bought from the local vendor, sometimes from a trip to the flower Mandi (market), and sometimes even foraged from the roadside after a storm. Though buying fresh flowers is an investment, choosing seasonal flowers like chrysanthemums, available in a riot of colors can last up to 10 days. Oriental lilies, though fairly expensive can liven up any center table with the added bonus of sweet fragrance and giving you a bang for the buck (during winter months can last up to two weeks easily) protip- always buy closed buds and buy them a few days before a party to give them time to open up.
11. I sometimes only buy so-called fillers (put by flower vendors to give bulk to a bouquet) like Gypsophila… Which looks the same weather fresh or dry hence can keep on looking stunning for a very long time. Protip: once dried, spray some cheap hair spray to prevent shedding.
12. Lastly… Absolutely any branch from any local tree/ bush will look lovely (albeit for a little while) in a vase. I pick up from the roadside, snap from my own plants, or even gather from the pile, trimmed by the local gardener. A perfect example of repurposing.
13. Lastly… Putting dried, pressed leaves (example a fern picked up from the last trip to the hills) or dried flowers in a frame, can adorn that mantle or foyer table
Have a blooming good day, all you Jolly fellas out there… While humming singing and dancing in the rain… 🎵🎶🎵
Quote:
“… And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils.”
-William Wordsworth
