HOUSE PLANTS WITH STYLE
JOSEPH CONNECTS
HOUSE PLANTS WITH STYLE
We caught up with Jamie Song, founder of @Jamies_Jungle, to get his top tips
on how to bring the outside in and nurture plants inside your home.
Tell us your top tips for looking after house plants...
It sounds silly, but some people don't realise that the source of energy for a plant is light. Plants need to be either by the window or under a skylight for long-term health. I see a lot of people putting their plants on a dresser in the middle of their bedroom like a scented candle without natural light and then wonder why they die.
Don't over water your plants. As a general guide, wait until the soil dries before watering again. This could take anywhere between one and three weeks assuming the plant is getting the proper amount of light and also depending on the season of the year.
Have a playful and joyous attitude towards your plant care and don't be afraid to make mistakes. This is a journey and a big part of the enjoyment is in experimenting. Each person's growing conditions at home are unique. You learn through experience and observation. No one can get it perfect by reading a guide or a handbook from the start.
What are the benefits of different types of house plants?
Some claim that houseplants purify the air but there is also research that debunks that.
You would need a lot of plants to make a real difference in your home's air quality.
For me, the benefits of having houseplants relate to your wellbeing. Plants make people
happy. The act of nurturing your plants has the same benefits as meditation.
With respect to the advantages of different types of house plants, desert plants (cacti and succulents) require less maintenance and look really cool but need a lot more sun. If you live in an apartment without a lot of light this is probably not the choice for you. Tropical plants on the other hand, can thrive with less light but require more watering and maintenance. They create a beautiful jungle look.
What is your favourite house plant and why?
There are so many plants that I love and it's difficult to narrow them down to a single
favourite. But in case of a fire, the one I would grab on the way out the door would be
my Aglaonema Pictum 'Tricolor'. It is a very rare plant with a camouflaged pattern on
the leaves. I love other more common types of Aglaonemas as well because they are
very easy to care for.
All images courtesy of @Jamies_Jungle.
How did you start Jamie's Jungle?
I moved into this apartment with a large skylight across the living room in 2013 and
started collecting plants then. I'm also a vintage art and objects dealer and so I have
access to a great collection of vintage pots and plant stands. I have a lot of fun pairing
beautiful plants with equally beautiful pots and decorative stands. I started posting
pictures of my living room on Instagram and started growing organically a lovely group
of followers. Today they number over a quarter of a million. My account is about the joy
of having beautiful plants and using them as interior decorations in their own right.
Discover more @Jamies_Jungle
All images courtesy of @Jamies_Jungle.
