MoonglotexasRecently, I’ve been exploring the amazing ability of plants to purify the air and absorb humidity. Bringing plants indoors has been a habit I have resisted believing it to be a huge effort to keep them healthy. However, the need to prevent damp and remove allergens has made it worth investigating. Light is crucial and spots which are damp aren’t often equally light and so Grow in the Dark by Lisa Eldred Steinkopf seemed to be the logical book to read!
Beginning with the principles of indoor plant benefits and care, the book progresses through accessing the area in which the plants will be living and onto the plants which will best suit the environment. Lisa celebrates the good news that “one houseplant placed every 100 square feet will remove [paint, furniture, carpeting and electronic] chemicals” as well as “if there is enough light in your room to read a book, you have enough to sustain a low-light plant.” She shares how to identify from the deceptive plant label which plants are low-light ones as well as which direction of sun is best for each and watering options.
The book ends with 50 plants that are suited to indoor, low-light living and highlights the level of moisture required as well as if the plant is pet friendly. None of them are floral, they are leafy and that perhaps was my only disappointment in the book. I had hoped for more than greenness indoors and, fortunately, living in medium rather than low light, I should get away with a few flowers indoors!
Practical and easy-to-follow, it is a four out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale! If you are considering indoor plants, this is one to read!
From the back cover
Grow in the Dark puts the spotlight on 50 of the best houseplants you can grow in your dim or dark apartment. Author Lisa Eldred-Steinkopf, known as the Houseplant Guru, shares the knowledge she’s gained tending to her own personal jungle of over 1,000 houseplants.
Having a south-facing window doesn’t always guarantee you the best light to grow plants—especially if your window faces an alley or a tree-lined street. What’s the point of growing an urban jungle if tall buildings are blocking all your sunshine? This compact guide, designed to look as good on your shelf as it is useful, will help you learn how to make the most of your light so you can reap the physical and emotional benefits of living with plants.
Detailed profiles include tips on watering your plants just right, properly potting them, and troubleshooting pests and diseases. You’ll also learn which plants are safe to keep around your pets.
Whether you live in a shady top-floor apartment or a dungeon-y garden level, this book will help you grow your plant collection to its healthiest for its Instagram debut.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Quarto Publishing Group – Cool Springs Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
