Don’t let self-iso shut you off from nature

Stuck indoors and have some spare time on your hands? Now might be the perfect opportunity to pay some extra attention to your indoor living friends.

That’s the advice of Charles Darwin University Horticulture Lecturer Robyn Wing, who said everyone could take lessons from indoor plants about how to survive and thrive in trying conditions.

Mrs Wing said much like an indoor plant, people were being asked to live in new and different ways they may not be used to as a result of COVID-19.

“Right now, many people are in distress, but one thing this situation allows us to do is to look at what nature is telling us,” she said.

“During a time when most of us are busy adapting, we can learn a lot from our house plants. These green friends are constantly proving that it is possible to survive under some pretty tough conditions. If they can do it so can we, but we all need a little help along the way.”

Mrs Wing said there would be no better time to learn how to nurture indoor plants than now.

“People tend to believe that indoor plants are temperamental, but a few simple troubleshooting techniques can solve most problems,” she said.

“Think about light, water and location. For example, if you have a cactus that originates from the desert, don’t put it in your bathroom with low light and high humidity.”

Ever wondered why healthy nursery plants start to look a little unwell after being transported to their new home? According to Mrs Wing, that’s because they need some acclimatising.

“When you take a new plant home it essentially goes from the Hilton, where all its needs were looked after 24/7, to a regular house – it needs time to adjust,” she said. “Ultimately, there is no such thing as an indoor plant, so what we need to think about is where would that plant have originally grown and under what conditions?

“Consider what types of indoor plants suit the Territory’s arid and tropical climates. If you live in the Top End plants like Philodendrons and Peace Lilies are well suited, while Centralians could look to Mother-in-Law’s Tongue and Jade plants.

“If you live in Alice Springs but love tropical Top End plants, or vice versa, you can create an environment that will sustain those plants too, you just need a few hints and tips along the way.”

Mrs Wing said people who nurtured plants were also nurturing themselves.

“Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, exactly what we as humans need,” she said. “They help to purify the air, removing harmful toxins and chemicals, helping us to breathe easier.

“Indoor plants have great mental benefits too. They never give you backchat and something as simple as a new leaf can bring a huge amount of happiness.”

The CDU Horticulture team will hold its first indoor plant short course from 27 April to 8 May. For more information or to book a place please email horticulture@cdu.edu.au