From the letters pile
Things Readers Ask Us
The questions that arrive most often, answered as plainly as we can. If yours is missing, write to the studio.
What is the easiest statement plant for a beginner?
A ZZ plant or a snake plant. Both have strong, architectural shapes that read as deliberate décor, tolerate medium light and forgive a missed watering far better than a fiddle-leaf fig. Start with one, learn its rhythm, then add more. See north light and medium rooms.
Can I keep plants in a room with no window?
Not without help. Fit a full-spectrum LED grow bulb in an ordinary lamp and set it on a timer for 10–12 hours a day, or keep two plants and swap them into daylight every week or two.
Do decorative pots need drainage holes?
The plant does. Keep it in a plastic nursery pot with holes and drop that inside the decorative cachepot. Water at the sink, drain, then return it. Our vessel guide explains the two-pot habit.
Are houseplants safe around cats and dogs?
Many popular ones are not, including monstera, pothos, ZZ and peace lily. Calathea, parlour palm, Boston fern and many peperomias are commonly listed as non-toxic. Always check a trusted veterinary source and ask your vet if in doubt.
How many plants does a room need to feel styled?
Fewer than you might think. Three to five well-placed pieces often do it: one floor-standing anchor, one trailing plant up high and a small group of three on a surface. Quality of placement matters more than quantity.
How can renters style with plants without damaging walls?
Lean on floor plants, freestanding shelves and plant stands, tension rods across windows for small hanging pots and over-door hooks. Use felt pads and saucers to protect floors, and ask your landlord before drilling for ceiling hooks.
Do houseplants really purify indoor air?
Not in any meaningful way at normal household numbers. The 1989 NASA Clean Air Study tested plants in small sealed chambers; later research suggests you would need an impractical jungle to match the effect of simple ventilation. Keep plants for beauty and calm, and open a window for fresh air.
Why are the leaf tips on my plant turning brown?
Usually dry air, irregular watering or mineral build-up from tap water. Water consistently, flush the soil monthly and keep plants at least a metre from radiators. Snip brown tips with clean scissors following the leaf's natural shape. Our weekly routine helps.
Are artificial plants ever a good idea?
In a truly dark hallway or above a tall kitchen cabinet, a good-quality faux or preserved piece can be sensible. Dust it as often as you would a real leaf, and let living plants take the brighter spots so the room still feels alive.