Are you looking to design an urban jungle for your home? Sustainable home landscaping is the talk of the town. It allows you to convert your space into a healthier and happier dwelling. Through this series, I will reveal some of the latest green design ideas and tips to help you design the most fabulous urban jungle for your home.
By the time you read this third part of our series on indoor, air-purifying plants, it will be post-Diwali. Winter, dry climate, and poor air quality will make a perfect time for you to acquaint yourself with the third plant, the Rhapis excelsa, also known as the Lady Palm, and let it adorn your home. Not only is this plant beautiful, but it also has excellent air-purifying properties.
This plant adapts in diverse conditions and can be placed at home, offices, and other indoor spaces to beautify as well improve indoor air quality. Feng Shui lovers will also be happy to keep this auspicious plant at home.
In a laboratory study by Dr Wolverton PhD, the lady plant was found to have a removal rate of 876 micrograms of Formaldehyde per hour. In NASA’s research, the Rhapis excelsa, ties with the Areca palm to top the list of Air Purifier plants.
Rhapis are some of the easiest palms to grow and care for, but each species has its particular environment, cultural requirements and care needs. This makes lady palm very versatile. Both 6″ and 8″ pots can be used as tabletop and accent plants, while 10″ and up are free-standing specimens. Wherever you may live, Rhapis excelsa is one plant that will thrive in your house or landscape.
Tips to grow –
These are slow-growing plants and require full sunlight or bright shade to grow, they will stay good in a pot for at least 12 to 15 years, requiring moderate water and a well-drained potting mix.
Once grown, this is a sturdy plant, requiring very little care, it needs partial deep shade for its survival. Water only when the soil is dry, overwatering may lead to rotting of the roots. Proper, aerated porous soil is best for its healthy growth. It is resistant to pests and insects.
So what are you waiting for? When are you getting your Lady Palm? Do send us photographs of your beautifully adorned home and office with the green, air-purifying plants. This article has been written by Mr Zeeshan A. Retiwalla, who is a Landscape Designer with over 15 years of experience and runs a successful landscaping company in Mumbai which has a presence in pan India.
Feel free to check his team’s work on www.pldindia.com