Image: Shutterstock
City living no longer has to mean staring down artificial landscapes. Designers are increasingly tuning into urban spaces as ripe canvases for greenery. Ideas such as climber plants, vertical gardens and terrariums are taking grip, and they’re not likely to let go any time soon.
Indoor gardens are not just about aesthetics: the right house plants can clean the air of pollutants, as well as balance internal humidity. And new research suggests trees and plants are even better than previously thought at removing toxins from the air.
If a sprawling backyard Eden won’t fit your budget or space requirements, take a look at these neat, space-saving garden ideas.
Photosynthesis lamp
Image: Meirav Barzilay
This simple and delicate vine lampshade grows organically, fed by a pot-plant hidden in a centre well. Designer Meirav Barzilay says: “Choose the type of vine and let it create a natural lampshade as it grows. It is necessary to use an energy saving light bulb, which will not only help your plant grow, but will also provide eco-friendly light.”
Maintenance: Trim the vine regularly to ensure it doesn’t grow too close to the bulb.
Tiny garden
Image: Grow Little
Less work than a garden and more beautiful than a houseplant, terrariums can neatly adorn tables, windowsills or bookshelves and instantly brighten up a placid room. The one pictured above is from Grow Little, a Paris-based company who sell completed terrariums. You can also have a go at making your own.
Maintenance: This varies greatly depending on the plants and moss in your bowl. The simplest terrariums are those with just a single plant, requiring regular watering and sunlight.
Window farms
Image: Makezine
Great for space-challenged plant lovers, a ‘window’ farm made from recycled bottles can give a room an instant facelift. Individual bottles can be filled with small plants, succulents, herbs or even flowers for a bright splash of colour. This one was first published at Makezine, where more instructions are available.
Maintenance: These are fiddly to construct, but once in place can be nearly self-sufficient, particularly if they are treated to regular rainfalls.
Got a tip for a greener home? Let us know in the comments section below.
