Houseplants 101: Low Maintenance Plant Breeds & General Care Tips for Beginners (2023).

Houseplants 101: Low Maintenance Plant Breeds & General Care Tips (2023)

Houseplant sales in the UK have surged in recent years. According to horticulture magazine, 35% of Brits purchased a houseplant for their home in 2021!

Not only do they add a lovely pop of greenery (in keeping with current sustainable home décor trends) but houseplants also have potential health benefits, making them an attractive addition to your windowsill or work desk!

Houseplants can purify the air by removing pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene. Research has shown that they help regulate humidity levels in the air, proving beneficial for people with respiratory problems. They’re also shown to improve your mood and can even reduce stress.

If you’re interested in getting a little green-fingered at home but don’t want the commitment of a full outdoor garden, this blog will cover the best low maintenance plant breeds and general care tips to help you keep your houseplants happy and healthy!

What are the best low maintenance indoor plants for beginners?

Choosing the right first plant for your home can be confusing, there are thousands of species of plants capable of surviving in indoor environments, but a low maintenance option is often most desirable for beginners.

Some of the easiest, no-fuss houseplants include snake plants (Sansevieria), Pothos (aka Devil’s Ivy), ZZ Plant, Spider Plant, Peace Lily, cacti, and succulents like jade or aloe vera. These plants are great for beginners and require really minimal care (you can forget about them when you go away on holiday).

Here are a few general care tips for each species:

Snake plants (Sansevieria): These are one of the easiest houseplants to grow. Snake plants are very low-maintenance and can tolerate a wide range of conditions including indirect light and infrequent watering, making them perfect for beginners. Snake plants also have air-purifying qualities, making them a great addition to any home.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Pothos is another low-maintenance vine that is easy to care for. These plants enjoy a wide range of environments, coping with bright, indirect light as well as low light. They can be grown in dry soil or in vases of water.

ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): ZZ plants are also very low-maintenance and can tolerate low light and infrequent watering. It’s virtually impossible to kill and good at cleaning the air in your home too.

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Spider plants are easy to care for and frequently produce baby plants, which you can take cuttings from to grow your houseplant collection or share with friends and family!

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum): Peace lilies are known for their beautiful white flowers. They prefer low light and moist soil.

General Care Tips for Houseplants

Whilst its best to research the specific conditions your plant prefers, here are a few general guidelines to go by which will suit most species.

Light: Most houseplants need bright, indirect light. Avoid placing your plants in direct sunlight, as this can scorch their leaves.

Water: Water your plants deeply, but infrequently. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

Fertilizer: Fertilize your plants during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer. You can add one to five drops of fertilizer to roughly one litre of water when giving your plants a water.

Repotting: Repot your plants every year or two, or when they outgrow their current pots.

Can you overwater a house plant?

Overwatered plants may have yellowing leaves, mushy stems, and a foul odour whereas underwatered plants may have dry, crispy leaves and soil that pulls away from the edges of the pot.

It’s important to monitor your plants and adjust your watering schedule accordingly if you spot any of these signs!

Overwatering is a common mistake that can lead to root rot and other issues. Whilst the frequency of watering depends on the plant species, the size of the pot and the environment, as a general rule, it’s better to underwater than overwater. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, and make sure the pot has proper drainage to minimise the risk of mould and rot from soggy soil.

You can improve your plants drainage by adding stones to the bottom of its carrier pot before packing soil. You should also look for decorative pots with drainage holes in the bottom to allow runoff of excess water.

Which indoor plant purifies the air most?

Many of the household products that we use daily for cleaning our homes can add invisible toxins to the air which can be harmful to humans and irritate our respiratory systems.

In 1989, a NASA study revealed that house plants can have notable air-purifying qualities. Some of the most effective plants include snake plants, spider plants, peace lilies and pothos. These plants can help remove toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air which can improve your health.

Conclusion

In conclusion, houseplants are a great way to add some greenery to your home and potentially improve your health. By choosing low maintenance plant breeds and following our general care tips, you can keep your houseplants happy and healthy.

Remember to research the specific needs of your plant species and adjust your care accordingly.

Happy planting!

A Hidden Gem for Buyers in Cheshire: Why Macclesfield has been Named one of the Happiest Places to Live in the UK.

A bustling market town with a population of roughly 50,000 people, Macclesfield was once the centre of the English silk weaving industry. Today the town is home to a range of independent cafes, bars and shops, drawing visitors from far and wide.

Found lying below the Western edges of the Peak District, this small but highly popular town offers a varied lifestyle for homebuyers, with locals able to take advantage of a range of urban and rural amenities on their doorsteps.

It’s no surprise therefore, that Macclesfield has made its way onto Rightmove’s annual ‘Happy at Home Index’, a survey of over 21, 000 people in the UK (2022), which asked for residents’ opinions on where they live.

With a strong sense of community, characterful architecture and a recent influx of indie bars and brunch spots, Macclesfield is a brilliant location for both first-time buyers and relocators alike!

Place and Community

On a stroll round Macclesfield, the sense of industrial history remains prominent in its streets and architecture. The heritage of silk manufacture is still evident today in the remains of disused textile mills, like Paradise Mill; a lasting relic of a thriving industry which declined in 1825 when the demand for home produced silk dwindled.

Commonly referred to as ‘The Silk Town’, textile heritage is laced into the urban fabric of this popular Cheshire community. A Saturday stroll down the quaint cobbles of Church street and up into Market Place will take you back to the mid 1700’s, when the silk industry took off and the town was a hive of activity. Today you’ll likely find leisurely shoppers or people sipping lattes in one of the towns many cafes or brunch spots.

A tangible spirit of community has endured amongst the people living here, despite the decline of traditional industry and the growth of digitalisation and homeworking. Many of the shops and bars are independently owned, with only a few large retailers having penetrated the mix. Macclesfield has retained a uniquely intimate and friendly atmosphere, which you’ll struggle to find elsewhere!

Read More: The History of Macclesfield Silk

Foodies Paradise

The cobblestone streets and old mills in Macclesfield provide a wonderful setting for a flourishing food and drinks scene. The Treacle market is a large event that draws visitors and residents to experience a range of artisan foods, from 160 local sellers, on the final Sunday of each month.

A stroll down Buxton Road will reveal plenty of modern food joints.

Those with a sweet tooth can peruse artisan bakeries like ‘Early Bird Bakes’. Alternatively, savoury-lovers can grab pizza and cocktail at ‘Tommy’s Bar and Pizza’.

Stuck for lunch on a weekday lunchtime? A trip to the Picturedrome will give you plenty of tasty options from nine varied food outlets, perfect for larger groups. Housed in Macclesfield’s first ever cinema, The Picturedrome is a regenerated food hall, launched by the people behind the popular Altrincham Market and Mackie Mayor in Manchester.

Whatever your preference, Macclesfield is likely to have something to cater to your tastes.

Top 5 places to eat In Macclesfield on a day out

The Best of Both Worlds: A Varied Lifestyle

Just 20 minutes from Manchester and 1hr 45 minutes from London, Macclesfield is a popular choice for commuters. Workers have easy access to major cities whilst enjoying a slightly slower pace of life in the suburbs.

Additionally, Macclesfield acts as a gateway to The Peak District National park; one of the key treasures of the North of England and highly popular amongst adventurists and nature lovers.

The Peaks span 555 square miles of hiking and outdoor opportunities and is accessible in just 20 minutes by car from Macclesfield.

Key nearby attractions, found on the Western side of the Peaks, include Lyme Park, Macclesfield forest and Teggs nose. Each boasting particularly stunning countryside views.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Macclesfield is a brilliant location for homebuyers and relocators alike. The town offers a varied lifestyle with a range of urban and rural amenities to suit every kind of buyer, in every sort of mood!

Its rich industrial history, warm community spirit, and proximity to the Peak District make it a very attractive location for those looking for a change of pace.

Interested in moving here? Take a look at our luxury townhouse properties, found just 10 mintues walk from Macclesfield town centre at Thistledowns. Enjoy rural serenity without giving up the convenience and buzz of inner city life.

New Homes are now Required by Law to have EV Charging Facilities (2023)

New Homes Now Required by Law to have EV Charging Facilities.

In order to make electric vehicles accessible to more people it’s necessary to make improvements to our green infrastructure. New homes and buildings in England will now be required by law to install EV charging points under the Part S building regulations.

The law comes as part of a wider initiative to accelerate the country’s transition to electric vehicles.

Notably, this will also include the Government plans to ban sales of all petrol and diesel cars in 2035!

The ultimate goal is to achieve net zero carbon emissions in the UK by 2050 (whereby our net carbon emissions are cut to zero) which is seen as crucial to tackling climate change.

But what does this mean for Homeowners? Or People looking to buy a New Home?

Whilst you won’t need to install an EV charger at home right away, it’s clear that the UK is rapidly moving towards a carbon neutral future, so it’s a good idea to consider a home with green credentials before you make your next move.

The number of new property listings that mention EV charging in their description is up by over 529% since 2019, highlighting that sellers seriously recognise the growing demand for EV facilities.

Electric vehicle sales are surging and installing an EV charger to your home is generally considered a very positive improvement that can enhance its desirability and increase your home’s value so its something to keep an eye on. Besides, you might be looking to upgrade to an EV yourself!

Greener Homes with better EPC Ratings are valued Higher.

Saving money on energy bills continues to be the biggest reason for people to make green improvements to their existing homes and it’s becoming a top priority for buyers too.

A reduction in your energy costs is achieved by reducing the input of heat energy to your home (using your boiler less often!).

In theory, you can get significant improvements relatively easily by upgrading your windows to triple glazing, enhancing the quality of your insulation or improving the air tightness of your home. This means you conserve existing heat better and can reduce your energy inputs.

It’s no surprise therefore, that a greener home is more desirable for buyers. Rightmove reported that improving your home’s EPC rating from D to C “could see an increase in value of 3%, or £11,157. While moving from an F to a C rating could increase the property’s value by an average of an additional 15%, or almost £56,000, when looking at the current national average asking price!”

Why are New Build Homes More Energy Efficient

One of the biggest benefits of buying a new build home is that it will be more energy efficient than an existing home. This is because new homes are built using modern energy-saving materials and new technologies.

Here at Hollins, we’re committed to building our homes to rigorous standards so that they stand the test of time for years to come.

This means building a robust, well-insulated and efficient home which is furnished with the latest technology to support our homeowners to live as sustainably as they’d like to.

We achieve an EPC of roughly B and above and we install Ohme EV charging facilities on our new build homes to support electric transportation.

If you’re interested in buying a home that is future-proofed for a green future take a look at our available developments via the links below:

Thistledowns: Thistledowns, Macclesfield – 12 Energy Saving Townhouses, 10 minutes from the town centre.

Galloways Reach: Galloways Reach, Galgate, Lancaster – A luxury rural development, 10 minutes from Lancaster.

The Foothills: The Foothills, Rossendale, Lancashire – 80 characterful homes, nestled in the Rossendale Valley area.

Riverside Walk: Riverside Walk, Garstang, Lancashire – Luxury homes found near the historical town of Garstang.

Notes:

Purple Bricks : [ What Are The Most Desirable Energy Saving Features For Homebuyers That Could Save You £1,300 Per Year? ]

Rightmove: [ Sellers of homes with improved EPC ratings see ‘green price premium’ ]

BBC: [ New homes in England to have electric car chargers by law ]

5 Home Lighting Tricks to Brighten Your Décor in 2023 (including links for inspiration!)

Lighting plays a crucial part in creating the perfect ambiance for your home decor. In 2023, home lighting trends are all about combining functionality with style. From ‘brass & black’ to ‘nostalgic retro’, there are a variety of styles you can choose from to elevate your lighting and compliment your home interiors.

In this blog, we’ll be taking a look at five popular lighting styles that are trending in 2023 and provide you with inspiration and ideas to brighten up your living spaces. Plus, we'll include links to shop your favourites!

Make a Statement

If perhaps less practical, a statement light brings the intrigue and drama to your interior scheme, that’s unmatched by standard spots or strip lighting.

Bold, abstract and artistic, statement lights are a great way to add personality to any room. These eye-catching feature pieces serve as focal points in a design scheme and are really great conversation starters.

Whether it's a sculptural chandelier above your dining table or a unique pendant light in your hallway, statement light fixtures are a chance to get creative!

Check out this angular light fixture in the Bronte Show Home on our socials; paired with retro bedside lamps.

This double bedroom décor scheme gives a warm neutral feel, complimented by contemporary industrial furnishings that set off a sketchy feature wall behind the head of the bed!

Comment on the post to let us know what you think of it.

Nostalgic Designs

Nostalgia is making a comeback in the interior design world and lighting is no exception. According to home décor experts, like Better Homes & Gardens and livingetc, this might be a response to the chaos of recent world events and people’s tendencies to take a romanticised view of simpler times gone by…whatever the psychological reason for the resurgence, nostalgic pieces can look fantastic in your home décor and compliment a contemporary scheme beautifully.

These fixtures often have a vintage or antique look and feel, and they celebrate traditional materials like metal and glass.

Some examples that are trending include: exposed bulbs ( you can shop here from Industville), antiques, bold oversized forms or mirrored brass, which is a popular trend reminiscent of the art deco era!

Nostalgic lights are characterful pieces with a story to tell. Check out a few examples of Retro Style Lighting at The Lighting Company.

Sustainable Styles

Bringing natural elements into your lighting choices can help to create a calming and relaxed atmosphere. Natural tones, such as earthy browns, muted greens, and soft neutrals can blend seamlessly with various interior styles.

Natural materials such as rattan or wicker shades are especially popular and filter light through them to cast lovely, warm dappled shadows. Consider incorporating materials like wood, or woven fabrics to create a connection with nature and subtle beauty. These materials can help establish a more rustic atmosphere, helping a space feel softer and more inviting.

One of the key attractions to natural light fixtures is the element of tactility. Textural shades in cane, wicker or even woven grasses work well in plenty of décor themes from boho to casual contemporary décor. Their organic surfaces interact beautifully with natural light and helps them take on a really three dimensional appearance.

They’re pretty eco-friendly too and often make use of renewable materials. If you want to go one step further, consider incorporating LED bulbs for better efficiency!

If you fancy a blank canvas to unleash your inner interior designer, we have a range of new build homes available with plenty of benefits. Our homes are built brand new, you’ll be the first person to let loose with a paintbrush!

You can visit our website for more information on our latest developments here.

Brass and Black Finishes

Brass and black finishes are gaining popularity in the world of lighting design.

A black finish is one of the best ways to give a grown-up feel to your home décor.  Whether it's a sleek black pendant light or a brass table lamp, their deep tones evoke a real sophistication and elegance.

Brass and black fixtures are equally incredibly versatile, working well in various tonal design schemes and actually helping to enhance most colours by providing a contrasting accent.

Not to mention brass and black complement each other beautifully. Pairing warm brass with matte blacks is a popular trick to inject opulence and drama to your interiors and it adds a lovely depth.

Cluster Lights

Finally a ‘Cluster’ refers to a configuration of multiple light fixtures that are fitted close together in your décor scheme. They’re a particularly popular feature in kitchen design and can provide both practical and ambient lighting.

When grouping your cluster feature, you can opt for similar or contrasting styles of lighting depending on the look you want to achieve. Its common to see a cluster of pendant lights over a long kitchen island and we often stick to more uniformed designs, however asymmetrical or contrasting fixtures can make for a more unique display.

Cluster lights are also a brilliant design tool to help structure your kitchen with subtle zoning, as explained in Homes and Gardens. Hanging lights help to define spaces in your kitchen by influencing flow and highlighting important ‘meeting spaces’ like above the dining table.

You can mix and match from a range of pendant lights to achieve the result you like!

Conclusion

Incorporating the latest lighting trends into your home décor can transform your living spaces into inviting and stylish environments. Whether you opt for statement light fixtures, nostalgic touches, brass and black finishes or natural tones (or perhaps a combination of a few) there are plenty of options to suit your personal style and preferences.

Don't forget to check out our social media via the links below for more home décor tips.