ACADEMY

When you're away for work, holiday or family commitments, what does this mean for the Insta-worthy collection of houseplants you lovingly welcomed into your home during lockdown? Fortunately, the experts at LECHUZA can keep your neglected plants thriving whilst you’re out reconnecting with the world. Remember, houseplants are for life, not just for lockdown! 

Keep them company 

Don’t worry, we’re not insisting you stay home. Of course, you want to make the most of post-lockdown freedom and not be tied to the house, coddling a lonely houseplant, so use science to your advantage. Research shows that plants can recognise when they are surrounded by other plant life and they actively participate in social interactions with close neighbours by touching leaves. So, if you can’t be around, why not group plants together that thrive in the same conditions and let them keep each other company? It will make caring for them easier, as they are in one place and helps them to form their own mini biome. 

With so many stunning planters available right now (and any excuse for some retail therapy) use it as an opportunity to create a gorgeous display that will raise your houseplant game, with minimal effort. Put some of that time you spend glued to your screen to good use and check out sites, like Pinterest or LECHUZA, to find inspiration for the aesthetic you want. Whether you love the clean minimalist look of planters like the CANTO Stone (from RRP £14.44) and the MINI-CUBI (RRP £12.74) in stylish shades of grey, or something fun and flexible, like the Green Wall Kit (RRP £72.24), there are plenty of options to suit your taste and make your plant community stand out from the crowd. 

Keep them connected 

Studies have found that plants also communicate and listen in on their neighbours via their root system – in fact they are so clever, they can even recognise when they are growing next to their own kin or strangers and can warn each other of a potential attack by pests. So, if you think your houseplants are a bit disconnected or lonely in their separate pots, then bring them closer by potting them together in a larger planter, like the CUBE Glossy Triple (RRP £32.29), with its modern gloss finish. Scientists even found that the chemical signals plants send to each other in the soil can encourage stronger growth in neighbouring plants, so you might find a bit of friendly competition results in a growth spurt.  

Keep conditions perfect 

Again, this sounds like hard work but, trust us, it doesn’t have to be. We all need water to stay on top form – and plants are no different – but how much and when is key; particularly when overwatering is one of the biggest killers of houseplants. As much as we hate labels, plants need them to make sure their individual and very specific needs are taken care of, such as how much water, light and what nutrients they need. The likelihood is you have already set your plants up in a spot that boasts the perfect light levels for each species, so you don’t need to do anything there. Well, guess what; hydration is not something you need to worry about either, thanks to LECHUZA’s range of self-watering planters. The smart irrigation system in every LECHUZA pot ensures each plant receives the optimum amount of moisture. Going to be away for a few days or weeks? No problem, because LECHUZA’s planters provide auto watering for up to three months, so you don’t even have to trust your nosey neighbour with a key. 

All sounding pretty low maintenance so far, right? Even better is that many of LECHUZA’s planters come with removable plant liners and its own high-quality pure mineral plant substrate, LECHUZA-PON, included. The beauty of that is you don’t have to re-pot your plants and you don’t have to go out and buy specialist soil to keep your plants happy and healthy. 

LECHUZA PON provides a balanced nutrient distribution for the roots of your plant, creates the optimal air/water ratio, reduces plant’s vulnerability to diseases, and stabilises the pH balance for healthy growth. LECHUZA-PON can also be used for years, without having to be replaced! With all this in place, we’re basically telling you to leave your plants well alone. 

Keep them working 

If you only have one plant at home and don’t want to invest in a family of foliage, then there is the option of taking it into the office with you for a bit of extra company. It will make a great addition to your working environment, plus the increased levels of CO2 created in an environment full of more people will give any plant a real boost. Don’t forget, these clever air purifiers do best when there is plenty of carbon dioxide in the air for them to absorb and use in processes, like photosynthesis, which keep them growing to their full potential. If you like to take your green buddy home with you at night, keep it mobile with a YULA plant bag (£19.99) that boasts a convenient carry handle. 

Keep on enjoying them 

The last thing we want you to do is fall out of love with your houseplants because looking after them has become a bind. With all the tough stuff taken care off and the best-possible plant care in place – all with the minimum of effort from you – now you can take time to sit back and enjoy all the benefits your wonderful collection of greenery can bring to your home.