Summer is officially here and Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, says there’s no better time to bring the outdoors in and welcome the season’s wonderful colour into our home with houseplants.
Whether you’re looking to breathe life into your interiors with air purifying plants, or lift a dark room with a pop of vibrancy, Dobbies’ new range of houseplants for SS23 has something to suit homes of all shapes and sizes. Plus, with great new value options, the garden centre is highlighting how people can enjoy a moment of botanical bliss without spending a fortune.
Dobbies’ Senior Houseplant Buyer, Claire Bishop, talks through the houseplant newness from Dobbies and how she recommends you care for and style your plants to get the most out of them this summer.
Low-maintenance zen
Create a calm corner in your lounge, bedroom or living space with new-season houseplants that require very little maintenance but will help bring zen to your home in no time. For a low effort pop of greenery, Claire recommends a Sanseveria. These eye-catching plants can go without water for weeks at a time so require very little attention, making them perfect for those just beginning their plant journey. The quirky Sanseveria Trifasciata is also a proven air purifier, making it a great choice for home offices and bedrooms, and its height means it works well when grouped together with other houseplants for a cool jungle effect.
Claire notes that the captivating Kentia Palm is another wonderful houseplant for adding some tropical drama to your green displays. Simply water weekly and place in a bright spot out of direct sunlight so as not to scorch its leaves.
A great low-maintenance addition to summer houseplant havens is the Chlorophytum Variegatum, or Spider plant. Claire says this adaptable houseplant can grow in most spots and its elegant arching leaves will instantly brighten any coffee table, desk, or side table. Style it in a colourful pot that complements its greenery and water when the soil feels dry to the touch.
Summer shelfie
If you’re looking for a way to give your living space a subtle upgrade for summer, Claire says there are plenty of compact, value plants that you can use to create a cool summer ‘shelfie’ moment. This Instagrammable look can be created with a few small houseplants and accessories, and Claire suggests mixing and matching different Fern varieties with trailing Ivy plants like Hedera Green, available from just £5.99 at Dobbies, for a stylish display that’s both cost-effective and striking. Claire notes that Ferns are a fantastic choice for bathroom ‘shelfies’ as they thrive in a humid environment, along with Terrariums for an added touch of nature.
Welcome the outdoors
For those of us fortunate enough to have outdoor spaces or gardens, Claire says that Dobbies’ new range of SS23 houseplants can be enjoyed both indoors and out during the summer months. Heat-loving varieties like Citrus plants, Fatsia Japonica and Curcuma can be placed outside on a doorstep, balcony or patio during the warmer months and then brought back inside when temperatures cool down.
Claire believes that giving your houseplants a summer holiday outdoors and exposing them to fresh air and sunlight can be beneficial to their appearance and overall health. Just make sure you keep an eye on the weather and if temperatures are expected to drop, bring them back indoors.
If you have a conservatory or sunroom, Claire notes this is also a wonderful place to enjoy your plants in summer, so long as the plants can tolerate sunny conditions. Plant them in bright woven containers for a trending high summer look, or create a timeless display with monochromatic pots in varied tones.
Bold new styles
With our gardens in full bloom and colour, Claire says there’s no reason our homes shouldn’t do the same. New season houseplants from Dobbies offer plant parents the chance to inject vibrancy into their homes and have fun creating bold displays that show off their personality.
The Medinella magnifica is new for SS23 and offers a unique display of pretty pink flowers and glossy leaves for an eye-catching addition to any home. Claire says these plants thrive in a bright spot but out of direct sunlight so avoid placing on windowsills and instead opt for an open spot in a south-facing room.
Another wonderful pink houseplant that will help you achieve the on-trend ‘Barbiecore’ look for summer 2023 is the Aechmea fasciata. This captivating plant likes a bright spot, and its urn should be kept halfway full with water at all times to ensure the plant gets enough moisture during the summer months. Bromeliads are another variety at Dobbies for SS23, with a wide range of tropical shades to bring a burst of colour into your home.
To really make an impact with these new-season houseplants, Claire recommends grouping them together and styling on tables and stands of varying heights to create an impactful display with depth and interest.
Claire’s top tip for enjoying your new summer houseplants? Have fun with colourful pots and styling set ups, but be mindful of outdoor temperatures. When the weather heats up, make sure you water houseplants regularly and if you’re going away on holiday, give them a thorough soaking in the bath before you go and move them away from windows to avoid any leaves being scorched.
For more advice and inspiration, or to view Dobbies’ range of houseplants for SS23, visit www.dobbies.com.
