Growing up in Brazil, we had the luxury of being surrounded by beautiful vibrant nature. The importance of being surrounded by plants is something we have always appreciated. Studies have shown that people who have indoor plants experience fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety than those who do not. Being surrounded by plants allows us to feel more relaxed, grounded and provides a feeling of hope. Now living in Amsterdam, especially during the winter months the cold weather, the grey skies and short days can definitely take a toll on your mood and leave you feeling a little down. So, we thought would be a good idea to share with you our favorite way to bring life and colour into your home; Plants.

They are must haves in our interior projects. Before deciding which ones, we will proposed to our clients we always consider the conditions of the room. Is the air dry? Is it a dark room? How much maintenance are you willing to keep up?

We advice you to learn about the needs of your plant before you bring it home, to give it the best chance of thriving.

As much as we all love a monstera, we think we have seen enough of them. So, if you're looking to venture out and explore some new options, here are some of our favorites.

ALOCASIA BLACK VELVET

If you already have a Alocasia Frydek and love it, an alternative is its sister-plant the Alocasia Black Velvet. These plants are a little more sensitive than others, but absolutely worth the extra care. The most important part of the care for these plants is consistency. They thrive in a mixture of indirect light, and up some exposure to direct sunlight. As they originate from the jungle, they prefer warm temperatures and high humidity. When it comes to watering, it is important to thoroughly soak these plants when you water and all excess water to escape the drainage holes. Once the surface of the soil dries out you know it’s time to water again.

PHILODENDRON IMPERIAL RED

Philodendron “Imperial Red” is a great choice for beginners. Its care is fairly simple, and it doesn’t grow too aggressively. Not only is it a beautiful plant, it is also a natural air purifier that absorbs harming chemicals in the room. To allow to it grow its best to mimic its natural tropical environment by providing warmth, bright shade, and humidity.

SILVER SETIN POTHOS

These lovely plants are the perfect choice to add to a shelf, as their leaves cascade down or eve climb up walls. They are fairly low maintenance as they prefer medium light and don't need direct sunlight. We suggest misting the leaves regularly to keep humidity levels up, and making sure not to over water them.

For larger spaces, to really make a statement we suggest considering a tree. When choosing the best indoor tree, you want to first think about the space and height you want it to take up and as with the plants, make sure to consider the conditions of the room.

EUCALIPTUS

We’ve seen trend the past months of people putting branches of eucalyptus in their bathrooms and showers, as the steam is said to release the plant's healing properties. Not only does it smell amazing but it can help reduce anxiety, ease congestion, soothe a cough, and more. We love this idea but also encourage you to give the whole plant a try!

The main tip we have for keeping potted eucalyptus happy and healthy is to make sure they get plenty of light. It’s best to let the plant dry out between each watering, so no need to water every day.

They are also an amazing option for outdoor spaces. They stay green all year around.

OLIVE TREES

Olive trees are a classic, and a great choice as the plant itself can grow to be fairly large, but the foliage remains more on the subtle side, which can look beautiful in more minimalist homes. They are also super simple to care for and can survive in most homes with ease. Personally, we love the look of black olive trees specifically.

We would say is a timeless plant.

FIDDLE FIG LEAF

Another classic when it comes to indoor trees are fiddle fig leafs. They are perfect as a focal point of a room if you allow them enough space to grow, as they can grow to be up to 3m tall. They tend not to be especially demanding as long as you can get their growing conditions right.

Some tips: rotate your fiddle leaf fig every few days to allow every part to face the source of sunlight, this also prevents it from growing asymmetrically. It is also a good idea to dust the leaves with a damp cloth every week or two as this allows to leaves to appear shiny and also helps the optimize absorption of sunlight for photosynthesis.

DWARF UMBRELLA TREE

Dwarf Umbrella Tree also commonly referred to as the Parasol Plant and Octopus Tree is a gorgeous addition to your home and requires very minimal effort. When it comes to care, its definitely a less is more, type of plant.

They only need watering a few times each month and are very resilient to change. A little bit too much or little water, heat, cold, or dryness won’t cause any serious issues.

PLANTS: THE POP OF COLOUR WE ALL NEED IN OUR HOME