Hello Creative QB’s,

3 minute read

Spring is popping so our blogs this month are blooming with gardening themes and all things green. We all know that indoor plants have great health benefits like cleaning the air, but did you know that they can aid in your creativity?

You’ve seen greenery popping up in cities as they become a feature of urban planning and you have no doubt noticed the influx of green on your Insta newsfeed. New research has shown, having greenery in your home or workspace increases wellbeing, productivity and promotes creative thinking.

It’s no wonder I walk around in circles all day. I have close to 30 indoor plants and with that much creativity racing around my head, I can’t choose what project to do first!

Having plants in my home makes me feel connected to nature. I feel more relaxed, and the corners and spaces of my house feel softer. I find inspiration for creative projects in the different shades of green I find in the plants I have given a home to, and I am fascinated by the minute patterns and details of a tiny blooming flower. I even enjoy watching the way the leaves react to day and night, and how the leaves chase the sun.

I may be going crazy, but after reading an article about ‘how talking to your plants can increase their growth rate’, I occasionally have a good old chin wag with my swiss cheese vine. Turns out they are great listeners too.

If you want to spark your creativity by adopting a few house plants here are a few of my tips:

I am no green thumb. I only stick to a few rules.

• I don’t overwater.
• I water my plants when they look thirsty- except for my beloved cacti- those prickly beauties don’t give much away. Just like my husband, my ‘old man cactus’ might get some love once a month.
• For any other problems that arise, I consult my good friend Google who has all the answers to your green thumb woes.

Below is a list of some of my favourite green friends I have around the house. If you happen to be cursed by a black thumb, you should start with a plant called ‘mother in law’s tongue’- you couldn’t kill it if you tried. I haven’t watered mine in probably 6 months and it’s still going strong. Otherwise, here is a list of some that I have successfully kept alive.

My list of favourite indoor plants

• Giant elephant ear
• Fiddle leaf fig
• Peace lily
• Chinese money plant
• String of pearls
• Boston fern
• Monstera
• Swiss cheese vine
• Donkey’s tail plant
• Ficus lemon n lime
• Ficus rubber plant
• and as many succulents and cacti as your green thumb desires.

Where do I source my plants?

We have a fantastic nursery in the Hunter Valley that stocks an amazing selection of plants. I visit there often, to make sure I don’t miss any new and interesting species of plant they acquire. Recently I couldn’t manage to get my hands on a rare species of plant called a Swiss Cheese Vine. After finding one on Ebay I took a chance and ordered it online. The postal service was pretty brutal to my new little addition, but I am nursing it back to good health. I probably wouldn’t recommend this method of sourcing plants unless ordering tube stock, or unless it is something you really can’t get your hands on anywhere else.

What do I pot them in?

It’s time to admit I have a pot addiction (NO, not that kind of pot!). I’m talking about buying pots to plant in. I like to source pots that are unique and I always throw in a few little quirky ones here and there. I even have pots in storage, ready for a house that hasn’t been built yet!

Two stockists I absolutely adore, that are my ‘go to’-

• Jones & Co. – jonesandco.com.au
• Angus & Celeste – angusandceleste.com
• and I’ve just discovered a local Newcastle ceramicist, Jacquie Garcia @Leiluca Ceramics

And let’s not forget good old Kmart. Kmart are really awesome at bringing out a pot that I’ve just paid a ridiculous price for, and at a fraction of the price. Never underestimate the usefulness of Kmart! Check out Jenna, Kmart girl on Insta for great inspo. @kmartgirl_

If you do develop a bad habit of buying too many pots, it’s good to remember to source them in different sizes. Don’t make them loners in your house. Bunch 2, 3 or even 4 together to make interesting little displays. In one half of a belly basket I have 8 little potted cacti and succulents bunched together. Don’t be afraid to mix it up with different sized pots, and add baskets. This adds texture and makes for interesting displays. You can even plant several different plants in the one pot. You are limited only by your imagination!

Happy potting and follow us on Instagram @CreativeQueenBees

X Cate