There are many benefits to renting – not having to mow the lawn on weekends, not having to get up extra early to shovel the driveway before work, enjoying a resort-style pool without having to maintain it – BUT many renters pine for a little garden space. AVE reached out to some of our favorite local florists to find out what renters can do inside to exercise their green thumb.
1. Basil, parsley, and chives planted in terra cotta pots do well on a window sill and provide fresh herbs year-round, says Mary Brophy, sales manager of Blue Moon Florist in Downingtown, Pa.
2. Indoor plants double as air purifiers. They do well if you water them once a week and keep them in diffused natural lighting, says Tony Baradhi, owner of The Flower Station in Somerset, NJ. He recommends the following varieties: Anthirium, Birds Nest Fern, Chinese Evergreen, Corn Cane, Dieffenbachia, Fiddle Fig, Ming Ariala, Money Tree’s, Peace Lily, Pony Tail Plants, Warneckii and ZZ Plants.
3. Brophy recommends creating a layer in front of a sliding door to a patio or balcony with a mix of green and blooming plants. Overturned terra cotta and ceramic pots provide varied heights to potted plants, she says.
4. Displaying fresh-cut flowers is another option and less of a commitment. To extend their lifespan, make sure their placement is optimal, explains Baradhi. Most flowers prefer temperatures between 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit and are best displayed away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, directly under ceiling fans, or on top of televisions or radiators, which give off heat and can cause flowers to dehydrate. Avoid placing fresh flowers near ripening fruit, which release tiny amounts of ethylene gas that can age them prematurely.
5. Add a small electric tabletop water fountain to your home office area to infuse your space with sounds of the great outdoors, suggests Brophy.