‘There are bomb-proof ones!’ The Rich brothers on simple plants that don’t need much care

Gardening: The Rich Brothers give tips on planting with pots

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Harry and David Rich were born and raised in Aberhonddu, or Brecon, in south Wales. The brothers and landscaping experts are currently based just outside the rural village, enjoying being close to the flora and fauna the Welsh countryside has to offer. However, the brothers shared how you can be closer to nature wherever you live.

Harry and David are passionate about plants and want others to be so too.

They explained that no matter where you live, you can bring nature indoors to brighten up the space and “make your house feel lifted, feel alive”.

Harry said: “I’m a massive fan of cut flowers.

“In my house, I really enjoy bringing flowers into the house because it’s about enjoying that flower and it’s a nice way of bringing seasonality into your space.”

Another way to be closer to nature is to buy houseplants.

The brothers stressed that there are all kinds of houseplants for every type of gardener, even for those who may forget to water their plants from time to time.

“There are some bomb-proof ones [plants],” Harry said.

“I was out of my flat for a few months and my housemates watered my plants very rarely, but they were okay.”

DON’T MISS: 
Pensioner pays £825k for luxury home but ‘nothing can grow’ in garden [INSIGHT]
David Domoney shares natural methods to get rid of weeds [UPDATE]
How to get rid of ragwort – five top tips to maintaining your garden [ANALYSIS]

One of Harry’s low-maintenance plants was the Swiss cheese plant. He said: “The classic Swiss cheese plant is an absolute solid. It doesn’t really need to be in that much light.

“It just needs a little indirect light and it will put up with barely being watered.

“There’s also a rubber plant, which needs a bit more light, but it can really tolerate not being watered. If you forget to water it its leaves will eventually start to drop so you can’t ignore that.”

David added that aloe vera is another good plant to keep because you know “it’s doing well” if you touch its leaves or skin and “it’s plump”.

Harry went on to say that Devil’s Ivy is another good option as it “barely needs water”, as well as geraniums.

David said that if your plant looks “a bit sad and wilty, it can probably be revived with a good water”.

He recommended: “A good trick with houseplants is to just put them in a body of water, so either a tub, a sink, or a bath, and let them sit in it for a while.

“Also, a lot of these plants will be from tropical areas, or even from the dessert, and so they tend to have big floods of water and then periods of dry.

“So it’s worth putting plants in the shower and giving their leaves a water, because you’ll get a lot of dust from indoors. If leaves get a lot of dust on them they’re not going to photosynthesise as well.”

Harry agreed with his brother, saying: “I think people have to remember that these indoor plants like misty and damp conditions.

“It’s about learning what plants you have, reading up about them, and understating their conditions a little bit more.”

As for fruit and vegetables that don’t need much taking care of, and so that are perfect for beginner gardeners, the brothers recommended rosemary, thyme, and sage.

Harry explained that they don’t need much water because “they are Mediterranean herbs so they are used to dry, harsh soils.

“So far that reason, the conditions they like make it easier for us to ignore them for a long period of time.”

The landscaper added that strawberries are a “simple” fruit to start off with too as they “don’t necessarily need to be in a full sunny position”.

“They can go into pots or into hanging baskets so that they kind of drape over the side.

“They’re really delicious and easy.”

Source: Read Full Article