the cultivation of plants is always a very welcome activity by the several benefits that proximity to nature brings. And anyone who thinks that having a garden is something difficult or restricted to large houses with a lot of sun is wrong.
There are species that can live in the most diverse conditions, including in places with less incidence of sun. The secret lies in choosing those that adapt to the conditions inherent to the home. In addition, with a little creativity it is possible to overcome the lack of space!
In view of this, the architects Danielle Dantas and Paula Passos, ahead of the office Dantas & Passos Architectureseek to demystify some of these insecurities and, above all, give tips on which species can benefit residents with the well-being and happiness of seeing them grow!
“I don’t have space at home” – Plants for small apartments
The little space can be the first challenge that many can put as a decisive point for not having them.
In fact, some need a more comfortable area for their growth, as well as space, light and ventilation, but you need to know that many types of plants do well inside houses and apartments.
“Living in an apartment can be a limiting factor, but it does not mean that we need to give up their presence. Just look for the one that will best fit the conditions of the property and the resident’s lifestyle”, says Paula Passos.
The architects suggest some types of plants that do not take up much space, they are:
- water stick – plant native to all of tropical Africa, it is more rustic, does not need to be exposed to direct sunlight and should also be watered 2 or 3 times a week;
- camedorea – a kind of small palm tree that does not exceed 2 meters in height and works well planted in pots, but needs frequent watering. It should be out of direct sunlight;
- bromeliads – native to Brazil, are green with complementary and contrasting red tones. They must be cultivated with indirect light, as the sun burns their leaves;
- philodendron – or Imbé, as it is also known, is easily recognized by its heart-shaped leaves. It must be kept in a bright environment, but away from sunlight, directly, and must be irrigated whenever the soil is dry.
- lucky bamboo – native to Central Africa, it does not like light very much and loves humidity, doing very well in bathrooms. It needs to be watered constantly and, legend has it, it brings good energy.
“I don’t have much time to care for plants” – Easy to Grow Plants
This is another argument raised a lot due to the rush of everyday life, especially for those who live in large cities like São Paulo. But the architects remember that taking care of plants is not a rocket science and name other species of simple care.
- Spear or Sword of Saint George – with very vertical leaves, it goes well in indoor rooms and can be planted in vases. Quite resistant, needs little water and, according to popular belief, are protective and should not be positioned in corners;
- mini cacti – classics in households without small children, on account of the thorns! They don’t need much water or much sun: whenever the earth is dry, it must be watered;
- violets – one of the most simple and beautiful flowers, usually appearing in small vases. Demand water 2 or 3 times a week, like indirect sunlight and offer different colors;
- begonias – tropical species planted in vases, they are colorful, bring life to the decoration and do not ask for a lot of light;
- Stone rose or echeveria succulent – Plant that looks like a flower, can be watered every two weeks. The secret is not to pour water directly on your leaves.
“Can you plant in the rooms?” – Plants for rooms
Bedrooms are resting spaces and refuge after a busy day. For architects, it’s always good to bring nature into this space as well.
“It’s good to think of plants that help improve the quality of sleep and an interesting option is lavender”, says Danielle. Small and popular for its lilac nuances, the scent that the flower exudes is extremely striking and has a calming effect.
“I don’t know how to fit plants into the decor” – Plants in decor trends
“It is necessary to give space to the plants in the apartments”, says Danielle. They can be grown in small decorative vases integrated into the decoration set, in mini gardens, vertical gardens, in niches and even shelves. “Creativity has no limits here, plants always bring a lot of freshness to any environment”, he adds.
For architects, in general, scented plants are very suitable for kitchenas well as aromatic spices such as basil, mint and peppers. Flowers are very welcome to beautify the rooms, as the colors draw attention to the environments.
One indication of the professionals is to choose flowers to brighten up bathrooms and washrooms, especially those that like humidity.
“vases are indispensable pieces to create a natural charm at home”, points out Paula. But doubts may still arise when choosing in terms of species and sizes, so some points should be considered:
- Avoid using vases that are larger or smaller than the proportion of the environment where they will be placed: think about the project as a whole;
- Decorative floor vases in a room or hall cannot be arranged in such a way that they hinder people’s movement;
- Be careful when using potted plants in niches, shelves and racks, as the weight can overload the structure;
- Bet on colorful vases to bring life to spaces, as long as they don’t conflict with the colors of the flowers: models like this look good with more neutral green foliage;
- Glass vases with lush green foliage fill spaces in an ever-updated way and never go out of style.
To assemble decorative arrangements, they suggest the use of natural flowers and the main ones for this use, normally, are the ornamental cut flowers that bring joy, sophistication and a lot of lightness.
There are numerous ornamental flowers for vases or pitchers, each with its own characteristics of color, shape, maintenance that is worth researching to better understand each one. Some species of cut flowers are anthurium, calendula, lisianthus, sunflower and orchids.
In general, flowers with a lot of pollen should be avoided in projects, as they are often harmful to people with sensitivity and allergies.
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