Delve into the Indoor Plant Gardens at RHS Malvern Spring Festival

1. Shop around – Explore different nurseries, plant shops, and online marketplaces to find the best quality plants at reasonable prices.

2. Don’t rush – Take time to research and choose plants suited to your space and care level.

3. Propagate and share – Start small by propagating plants you already have or swapping cuttings with friends. It’s a cost-effective and rewarding way to grow your collection while building connections with fellow plant enthusiasts.

4. Take it slow – Resist the urge to buy too many plants at once. Begin with a manageable number of species and learn their care needs before expanding. This helps you build confidence and prevents overwhelm as you nurture your collection.

1. Take advice as suggestions, not absolutes. While plants have basic needs like light, water, air, and nutrients, these requirements can vary depending on the type of plant and your home environment. Every home is unique; some may be damp, have limited natural light, or be colder. Plants can adapt to new environments over time, so what works for one person may not work for another. Even experienced collectors experiment with different care techniques to improve plant health.

2. Start affordably and grow your collection creatively. Houseplants don’t have to be expensive. Begin with easy-care plants like philodendrons, monsteras, or epipremnums. Once you feel confident, try a slightly more unusual variety, propagate it, and swap cuttings at plant swap events to expand your collection without spending a fortune.

3. One of the best pieces of advice I have received: Fish need water, roots need air. Unless they’re aquatic plants or adapted to swampy or marshy conditions, most plant roots require air as much as they do water. Overwatering can cause root rot and make the soil anaerobic, so ensure you’re not drowning your plants in water and let the roots ‘breathe’.

Where possible, source your plants from independent plant stores who specialise in what they’re offering. We are the people who know and love plants. While supermarkets and larger chain stores can offer a good bargain, plants are often not looked after while on sale – they may be in areas without sufficient light or stored in cold temperatures.

Choose a plant store which ascribes to good plant parenting, and is conscious of wider concerns such as the use of peat or other unsustainable practices. By buying from an independent plant store, you’re getting a plant in the best condition possible and helping to set you up for success.

1. Start with low-maintenance plants like pothos or snake plants to build confidence, which are more forgiving by nature. There’s a piece of greenery for everyone.

2. Consider your space’s light conditions when choosing plants, don't be afraid to move them, but give them time to adjust.

3. Water plants out of their planters to prevent excessive water build up allowing any excess to be drained off before placing back to the planter, reducing the risk of root rot.

1. Preparation is key when getting houseplants that will prosper in our homes. Before you go shopping, think about the light levels in your home where you want to put the plant. Then search for plants that would grow well in such a spot.

2. Watering issues contribute to most houseplant problems. Instead of watering on a time-based schedule (ie once a week), water based off when your plant’s soil is dry. This will vary depending on the time of year, pot size and the type of soil used. Before watering use your finger or a moisture meter to test the moisture and see if your plants are ready to water.

3. Prevent pests. I recommend using biological pest control year-round to keep the bad bugs away and curb infestations before they begin.