Plants rely on natural sunlight for photosynthesis, so it’s important to position your plants near a window where they can get lots of it directly. (However, it’s also good to find out how much exposure to give different plant species, as some require more light than others.)

“Plants need and want drainage, so make sure there’s a hole in the bottom of your pot and a tray underneath it. Not many plants like wet feet!”

“Plants that have a larger leaf will photosynthesize better than plants that have small leaves. That’s why plants like the fiddle leaf fig (pictured) make very good indoor plants.” 

Photo: The Decor Fix/Pinterest

“Soil structure is super important, because essential nutrients use it like a transportation system. If you’ve got a heavy clay, [the nutrients] aren’t moving through it. So you end up with clay that’s full of nutrients but the soil structure won’t allow the nutrients to get to the plant. 

Have good mix of organic matter and sphagnum moss. A well-drained soil structure that has a sandy compound with lots of organic matter mixed through it is the best soil medium, especially in interior landscapes.”

Mulch, a material made of decaying leaves, bark or compost, helps enrich the soil and prevent it from drying out. It’s usually spread as a blanket over soil. Jamie says it’s useful in combating the drying effects of air-conditioning.

Flower-wise, orchids are an excellent choice for local homes. “Orchids are one of the toughest things in the world. They survive very well, even in air-conditioned climates,” Jamie says. 

Alternatively, opt for plants that don’t require soil, like air plants, otherwise known as the tillandsia species. “The tillandsia species is probably one of the best indoor plants you can get, because all you really got to do is spray it with a mister every so often (like you do to your faces with face mists!) and they’re happy,” Jamie says. 

Catch Jamie on The Apartment: Rising Stars Edition which premieres tomorrow, March 16, at 7.55 pm on Sony Channel (Starhub TV Ch 510 and Singtel TV 316). The 10-week series follows a group of 12 budding designers competing to become the next top interior designer and $100,000.

READ MORE:
Everything You Need To Know About Growing Your Own HDB Home Garden
8 House Plants That Can Purify The Air At Home
10 Dreamy HDB & Condo Bedrooms You’ll Want To Fall Asleep In

Text: Elizabeth Liew
Photo: Pixabay