The best houseplants to boost your mood, this Winter

• Searches for ‘mood boost quickly’ have increased by +300% over the past 12 months
• Tapi has partnered with plant experts to find the three best plants to boost your mood, plus tips on how to stop plants from causing damage around your home.

With the winter months quickly setting in, people will be looking to keep up their mood during the cold and dark days, while they may spend more time in their homes. In fact, keyword searches for ‘mood boost quickly’ have increased by +300% over the past 12 months*!

Plants are known to improve a home’s atmosphere, so carpet and flooring retailer Tapi has worked with Jo Lambell, founder of Beards & Daisies and Dr Susanne Lux, from Stars for Europe to find out which plants will help brighten up your interiors.

1.    Devil’s Ivy

Considering the time of year, it is important to pick plants that will survive the cold winter months. Devil’s Ivy is a fast-growing, low-maintenance plant. It is said to bring good luck and fortune, so perfect to boost your mood! The plant needs indirect sunlight and does not need much watering, only when the soil is dry.

2.    Peace Lily

Peace Lilies have delicate white blooms and make any home a tranquil space. Peace Lilies are great for inexperienced plant owners, as they do not require much water and are also happy in lower light, so perfect for the winter months. The only thing it won’t be too pleased with is overwatering, as Peace Lilies go into a dormant stage in winter and won’t need much water.

3.    Colourful poinsettias – the ‘Christmas Star’

The colourful poinsettias, also known as ‘Christmas Star’, are plants that come in a variety of colours and sizes, so there are plenty of choices to find the perfect fit for your interior style. Typically, warm colours, such as red tones are great for energising and setting a happy mood, while green is known to have a more relaxing effect and is great to add a calming feel. Poinsettias prefer direct sunlight, so ideally a spot near a south-facing window. These plants do not like cold draughts, so this needs to be avoided.

If you’re unsure when to water the plant, simply push a finger into the soil by about 2 cm, if you then feel moist soil, you can add a little water. Be sure to allow any access water to drain off.

Once you have chosen your favourite plant, it is important to find the right spot and sometimes this includes placing a plant pot on your floor, so Tapi has put together tips on how to keep your carpets and flooring fresh and clean for years to come.

1.    Remove indentations

If a plant pot is kept on a carpet over a longer period of time, it can leave some indentations, however, these can easily be removed. Ideally, you’ll want to use feet to raise the plant pot or tray off the carpet, however, to bring the fluffiness back simply spread bicarbonate of soda over your carpet and work it into the fibres with a stiff brush, before letting it sit overnight. Vacuum the baking soda up in the morning, and then fill a spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and cold water. Just spray into the carpet and work with a stiff brush, and your carpet will be as good as new! You can also try to move your plant pots around occasionally, just be sure to keep the plants in their ideal light conditions.

2.    Clean up spills ASAP

No matter your type of flooring, any water or soil spills should be cleaned up swiftly. If the spill is wet and can’t simply be vacuumed, be sure to start with a clean cloth and gently press the stain, moving from the outside to the inside. Never rub the stain as this causes it to move into the carpet fibres and you risk permanent damage.

3.    Avoid plant pots with rubber bottoms

Plant pots with rubber bottoms can react to LVT and Vinyl, so these should be avoided to sit directly on the flooring. You could, however, place a nice matt underneath to avoid any damage.

4.   Avoid plant pots with holes

Plant pots often have holes underneath to allow for drainage, however, the water could run through and damage the flooring. LVT and vinyl flooring can blush if moisture is trapped under the pot, however, this will disappear when the flooring is aired. To avoid this from happening in the first place you can simply use a plant saucer but be sure to attach some floor protectors underneath!

Commenting on the research, Johanna Constantinou, Brand and Communications Director at Tapi, says: “During the winter months people are likely to spend more time in their homes, so making yourself feel comfortable is important! Adding plants is a great mood booster and adds a little extra flair to your home. By keeping our simple tips and tricks in mind you won’t have to worry about damaging your flooring!”

To find out more about Tapi and ways to keep your flooring clean, please visit: https://www.tapi.co.uk/the-ideas-hub/care-guides/how-to-remove-stains-from-your-carpet