Plants become new pets

joyfulDo you consider yourself a plant killer? Have you seen how even the cacti in your house faint? Do not despair. Herbal decoration pleasure has taken over the houses, you can join too. The green market in Spain is booming, according to data from the Federation of Spanish Associations of producers of fruit, vegetables, flowers and live plants (Fepex). Exports of flowers and live plants increased by 27 percent in 2021 compared to the previous year and reached 561 million euros. Imports also reached 299 million euros, 34 percent above 2020. “It’s a trend we’ve been observing for a long time, but the pandemic has been a turning point. The pleasure of decorating with plants and flowers has increased since the quarantine,” says Santiago González, director of the Spanish Association of Garden Centers (AECJ).

Awareness of caring for the environment and the proliferation of herbalists on social networks known as ‘green raiders’ have led many young people to join this campaign. boom for green decor. “We detected an 18 percent increase in the number of young customers in the garden centers. Before, flowers were seen as a luxury item and taking care of plants was a thing for ‘retirees’, but now it’s in vogue”, explains the AECJ manager. Falling prices also contributed to this expansion of the market: “You’ve been walking into a flower shop before and sorry, you were ‘shocked’ to see very expensive flower arrangements,” he jokes. And he adds: “It is now possible to market cut flowers more easily. They currently sell bouquets for six euros which means that people are starting to like having flowers in their homes. And no longer just for giving, as before, but for self-consumption.

Regarding plants, Santiago González says that there are plants that are best known as succulents or succulents, which store water in the leaves and use it when it’s needed, so they don’t need a lot of watering: “Because that’s why they’re easier to care for at home, and they’re also usually pretty inexpensive,” he continues. “You can have long-lasting plants for three or four euros.”

To the fashion of decorating with plants was added research that spoke of the therapeutic benefits of caring for them. According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA), therapeutic gardens have the ability to reduce stress and improve our mood. “The expansion of gardening is reaching the private realm, and more and more homes are relying on a design that encourages interaction with nature for the pursuit of well-being,” says landscape architect Fernando pozuelo. In this sense, one of the most prominent international studies was the study, which was coordinated by the University of Seville Urban Nature and Biosystem Engineering Research Group (NATURIB) in 2021 and evaluated the role of plants in homes during the first quarantine. of the epidemic. The results of the study confirmed that having plants at home has a positive effect on the emotional well-being of people who care for them during quarantine. This was evidenced by 74% of over 4,200 respondents in 46 countries.

All hands on deck: immortal plants

There are hardy plants out there for even the most clumsy gardener, and while they can be a little intimidating with their Latin names and delicate textures, they have their tricks to keep them alive and kicking. This is expressed by horticultural expert Jo Lambell: immortal plants (Cinco Tintas) is a collection of essential advice for turning your home into a wonderful green space. “It’s worth the time to understand why all your plants fail (or dry out or die). offers.”

Waiting for the substrate to dry between waterings, moving plants away from radiators and heating, or placing them in south-facing windows are some of the expert’s tips for this time of year. “It’s appropriate for winter to ‘remove dust from leaves,’ as replanting and propagation are spring duties, as it reduces the amount of sun that reaches the surface and inhibits photosynthesis. Now the plants need rest.” And with these first tips, the author suggests a list of hardy and easy-to-care plants.

Plants that won’t die (unless you do it too badly)

prayer plant

While the Cove family is notorious for being capricious, the prayer plant is surprisingly patient. It is native to the rainforests of Brazil, so you will need to replicate the conditions of its habitat by spraying it frequently. Water once a week and keep the soil moist without waterlogging.

Zamiokulkas

Its glossy leaves illuminate the room it is in by reflecting the light, and there are hardly any instructions for use. Dusting regularly is all you need to avoid clogging the pores in the leaves. You should water when the first five centimeters of potted soil dries up. If brown spots appear on the leaves, this is a sign of excess water.

Areca

This leafy plant resembles a palm tree and is known for its air purification properties. It likes bright environments, but does not like direct light as it can burn the leaves. It likes to be collected in narrow pots and moist soil.

draceda

It is a great air purifier, so it is ideal for bedrooms and offices. It will be appreciated if you clean the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust and breathe. It also likes to be regularly sprayed with water.

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