There are many benefits to having plants in your home. Not only do they look beautiful, but they help reduce stress, improve concentration and have been shown to increase productivity and creativity. Researchers have even used horticultural therapy to promote well-being among people with depression, anxiety and dementia.
As well as psychological/therapeutic benefits, indoor plants help to clean and purify the air in our homes, removing toxins and producing oxygen helping us to stay physically healthier too. These are some of the species most effective at cleaning our air:
- Palms (Areca, Lady, Dwarf Date, and Bamboo)
- Boston fern
- Rubber tree
- Spider plant
- Ficus tree
When it comes to placement of plants in the home, there can be a lot to consider. Some need more light than others, some are more sensitive to temperatures or temperature changes, and for some plants humidity is also a factor that needs to be considered.
Conservatories can be a lovely place to keep plants. Bringing some foliage into the conservatory is a great way to link the garden to the home and create a cohesive flow from one area to another, whilst also fostering a calm and organic feel to the room.
But obviously, without insulation (like Green Space UK’s insulated roof panels) to help control the temperature, conservatories can prove a difficult place to cultivate plants, particularly in the colder months.
So, with this in mind, we’ve put together a list of plants hardy enough to withstand winter in a non-insulated conservatory.
Succulents
Succulents and Cacti are a great option for conservatory plants as they love the sun and can generally cope well with the temperature drop. Plus they’re low maintenance and easy to care for!
They are easy to grow yourself and would suit a potted container with drainage holes before putting them in a fancy pot or other container. Just be mindful of the seeds, they are very small and can easily be disturbed by drafts and watering if they are not adequately covered with soil!
Our succulent friends grow best with humidity, so if you need more moisture, move your little buddies across to the bathroom if you have space, or if not, you can pop a little shower cap on them until they start to sprout! (– This adorable tip is from The Greedy Vegan and you can find more tips about growing succulents on their page!)
Orchids
Orchids such as Brassia, Cymbidium, Oncidium, Dendrobium and Lusidia discolor can handle the cooler temperatures of a winter conservatory plus they like bright rooms, although they do need to be protected from direct sunlight (installing an insulated roof may help lessen any direct glare on these plants).
Another type of orchid good for colder rooms such as conservatories is the Moth Orchid, which has a beautiful veined pattern that comes in pink, white and purple.
Banana Plants
These large leafed plants are fast growing and can reach up to 3m tall in the right conditions! However, in the UK, they are the perfect houseplant...except they won’t grow bananas!
These plants come in various types and sizes, such as the Musa Acuminata, also known as the red leaf banana plant, which produces beautiful, red-striped leaves and grows to about 2m or 6ft, great for a larger conservatory!
They don’t like frost so they should thrive in a warm, sunny conservatory!
Palms
Palms like the Trachycarpus wagnerianus are easy to grow, robust plants that will cope well in a conservatory.
Sago palms are also easy to look after and are well known for beautiful and feathery foliage that date back to prehistoric times! However, they don’t need too much watering, so they make for a popular houseplant!
Palms look great and are perfect for filling a corner with some colour and life! However, check which palms you intend to buy as some can grow quite big!
Winter Heather
Winter heather, and heathers in general, are known for being hardy plants that love light. These little pink plants can grow to around 2ft quite quickly and last for years.
The best place for them is somewhere where it can receive bright but filtered light, with a good humidity. A conservatory would make the perfect spot!
Fruits & Vegetables
If you have a large conservatory, you could turn it into a green house! Fruits such as lemons, oranges, pomegranates, avocados, peaches, nectarines, figs, and grapefruits could be grown through the winter in a conservatory. Vegetables that could also be grown in the conservatory include tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, potatoes, and mushrooms.
What you do with your conservatory is your choice, and with Green Space UK, you can get a quote for a solid conservatory roof that helps you and your plants thrive no matter the weather!
