SquareRooms Issue 181 Mid-Year 2020

2 6 ideal homes BREATH OF FRESH AIR Four basic elements of an air plant's survival Air This comes as no surprise – air plants require plenty of air to grow. So don’t hide them in enclosed containers; expose them to circulating air. Water Submerge air plants in a basin of water for two to three hours and then shake off the excess. Do it at least once a week, as collected water left on the plant might harm it. Sunlight Air plants thrive under bright indirect light sources. Artificial light sources work, as well, but avoid direct sunlight – they can dry out your air plant quickly. Grooming Mature air plants might sprout young “pup” offsprings, which can be removed, or left to grow and intertwine with your original plant. Sustainability ALL ABOUT GREEN LIVING, MAXIMISING THE EARTH'S NATURAL RESOURCES, AND LESSENING ENERGY CONSUMPTION AT HOME Become a plant parent 16 6 Six aesthetically- pleasing and beneficial indoor plants every room needs Text GERMAINE CHEAH Additional text FABIAN LOO For the living room: Philodendron As the living room gets a lot of foot traffic, it’s the only space in the home where you can make a statement with your choice of houseplants. So, opt for big potted plants – like the Philodendron – that can sit on the floor if you want to breathe new life into any bare corners, or go for small planters – like potted Peace lilies – to imbue a unique focal point at the television console. Before you choose your plants, make sure you know what kind of sun exposure each part of the room gets, as plants that work well with full sun exposure on the windowsill might not necessarily work as well when placed in the middle of the room on a coffee table. For the dining room: Begonia While the plants you choose to display in the dining room should have similar characteristics to the ones in the living room, try to mix things up. If you’ve already chosen a potted peace lily in the living room, try a potted Begonia or Bird of Paradise in the dining room. Whether placed as a fresh centrepiece on the table or a plant stand around the perimeters, select plants that are eye-catching and ready to impress for whenever your guests pop by. For the kitchen: Tillandsia When it comes to the kitchen, there’s no better houseplant than an edible one! From basil to thyme to rosemary, there are plenty of herbs that are suitable for growing indoors and are easily maintained with a little pruning here and there. Aside from herbs, other houseplants that are for the kitchen includes Tillandsia air plants and the Pothos variety, for they can thrive in places with varying and indirect light levels, as well as high humidity. If you have a smaller kitchen with limited countertop space, go with a hanging plant to save space. PHOTO BY STANISLAV KONDRATIEV ON UNSPLASH