Why do I need Permission to buy that Indoor Plant!

Today I am giving you permission. Permission to buy a plant and if you accidentally kill it, permission to throw it away and not care!

Say what!? I see you all shaking your heads and wringing your hands and wondering what the hell I am on about .....So, I’m going to share a story and maybe you can understand why I’m giving you permission.

The other day I was getting coffee and the coffee shop sold gorgeous bunches of flowers ... so here I was, half asleep pre-coffee and this little blue and this bunch of native flowers just called to me. Just looking at it made me happy and smile, so I thought bugger it, and bought that bunch of flowers.

$25 I spent. Not much, but also not a little.

I came home and proudly displayed that bunch of flowers on my kitchen bench and all week I smiled.

But come that six day mark, something was amiss... moving into the 8th day and I knew it was over. I held on, but ten days later, that was it. That bunch of flowers was long gone. $2.50 a day I had spent to bring me joy and I did not question it all as I’d enjoyed those flowers every day.

This week we got new Calatheas at Trevallan. Unfortunately, my house is too dark to continually grow Calatheas well, so I admired them from afar, unpacked them in-store and walked away. Later, however, I thought of those flowers. How I didn’t question spending money on a bunch of flowers I knew wouldn’t last.

So yesterday afternoon I bought myself a Calathea. I took it home and put it in a spot where it may not even survive. Yet, here’s the thing .... it was cheaper than a bunch of flowers, it will last longer than a bunch of flowers and I will get more joy from it than a bunch of cut flowers. If it dies in three months, so be it. If it gets sick and I can save it, so be it.

I gave myself permission to buy something that will bring me endless joy and I’m not putting a time span on it.

We have the notion that because it's got roots, it has to last forever and when it doesn’t, we see it as our fault. We see ourselves as plant killers. Yet we don’t see ourselves as cut flowers killers!

Sometimes we need to buy a plant just because it brings us immense joy and happiness. Sometimes, just sometimes, we are allowed to buy an indoor plant- not because it’s hardy, not because it’s insta worthy, not because you won’t kill it, but purely for the fact it will bring us immense joy while we have it.

So today I’m giving you permission to buy something that may not last but will bring you immense joy.... so, here’s the million dollar question: What plant are you going to buy?

Dracaena trifasciata

Dracaena trifasciata, previously known as Sansevieria trifasciata.

Many of us know this plant as "mother-in-law's tongue" or "snake plant", supposedly because of the shape and sharp margins of its leaves.

One gardener told me it's called mother in law’s tongue because it's so hard to kill!

Another common name for this plant unbeknownst to me is the "viper's bowstring hemp", because it is one of the sources for plant fibres used to make bowstrings.

Dracaena trifasciata has had a hard life. It’s native to tropical West Africa and when it came to Australia, it was used outside in garden landscaping as it was so tough and hardy. Unfortunately, it got out of hand, people started to dump it in bushland and it found itself on the weed list.

However, I believe though that this plant can be used effectively and non-invasively when used as an indoor plant.

Dracaena trifasciata is one of my most recommended indoor plants.

It seems to survive the most unsuitable growing conditions, abuse and neglect. Basically, you have to work really hard to kill these Dracaenas. (I must be honest here and mention I have killed one, but it was purely from too much love!)

The Dracaena trifasciata has long sword like foliage. It’s a great plant when you need height and hardiness. There are three main forms of Dracaena trifasciata.

The original Dracaena trifasciata, has dark green foliage, with light grey-green stripes going across the leaves. Each leaf can reach to about a metre, but in optimal conditions, it can reach two.

There is also a variegated cultivar, called Dracaena trifasciata, 'Laurentii'. This one has green foliage with a yellow band around the outside and can also reach that one metre mark

The third form is the silver leafed called Dracaena trifasciata, 'Moonshine'. Unlike its’ brothers, Moonshine only grows to about 60cm high and has an almost white to silver foliage.

Dracaena trifasciata can handle any light situation from full sun to your darkest, no natural light, office cubicle. They can handle our hot humid summers and our coldest, driest air conditioners!

However, take care when watering these guys. Dry is best and remember that I almost rotted one to death through too much love.

You can grow these guys in great quality potting mix, or you can grow them in water. Weird I know. But without the soil around them, they do fantastically as a water plant!

Keep their leaves clean and free from dust and grease. I only tend to fertilise mine with an organic slow release fertiliser when I split them, which I only do when they break the pot they are in.

If you've never had any luck with indoor plants, this is the plant for you. I know you might think these are old fashioned and uncool, I was the same, but now have several at home and love them to bits. Why? They’re a large chunky plant that will always look good, survive low light and not need care. I have them growing where I couldn’t get any other indoor plant to grow and they look amazing so why not up your indoor plant game and get your hands on a chunky Dracaena trifasciata

Making Offices Green

Beautify the Inside

Over the years there has been a great deal of research into not only how being outdoors improves your life, but also how being surrounded by green living plants inside improves your life, health, brain functioning and even your bank balance.  (Check out Plant Life Balance website for more details)

Plants aren't a luxury they are a necessity, however, sometimes it’s challenging to keep indoor plants thriving especially in our offices.

Why? Well, more often than not we are faced with problems such as no natural light, air conditioning and an inability to regularly water to plants due to over-watering resulting in wet desks.

At Trevallan, we are trying to come up with ways to make indoor plants easy but still really pretty using a range of planters, terrariums, kokedamas and even plants in bowls.

When we grow plants indoors, we have to realise that sometimes it's about giving up on our perfect plant to have an amazing plant that looks good all the time. Some plants are better suited to indoors and sometimes a really ‘boring’ plant can be made to look amazing in the right container!

Some of the Ways Trevallan is Bringing Plant Life Balance to your Workplace!

Planters

I have found that using planters (pots without holes) has been my saving grace.

I used to under water and ultimately kill my indoor plants as I was worried about water going all over my furniture.

Planters have no hole in the bottom. I just place my plant in the planter (I do not pot). I then can give my plant a really good drink, without the hassle of worrying about water going everywhere.

If by chance I decide I don't like that plant, or want to swap my plants around, I simply remove the plant from the planter. This way I am always keeping my décor the same (by keeping the same planter), but can switch my plants around and create an entirely new look.

It can take a while to get used to watering with a planter, but before you know it, you’ll wonder how you ever survived without them.

Terrariums

I love the meaning of Terrarium - a sealed transparent globe or similar container in which plants are grown! You cant get any more exact than that.

What a lovely idea to have a mini landscape sitting on our desks that only requires a small drink once every few months, in a closed terrarium or every few weeks, in an open terrarium.

I love staring at terrariums and seeing the mosses grow and the plants changing. The maintenance is minimal, but therapeutic, as its a delicate process.

Open Terrariums or Plants in Bowls are great too, if you want your plants to grow out of your jar. In an Open Terrarium, the plants are planted in glass jars or a decorative bowl. Instead of the plant being inside the container, as they would in a terrarium, they actually come up out of the container.  Even better, there is no need to worry about water leaking everywhere as the containers are sealed. Water them as you would a terrarium (at least once a week). When planting an Open Terrarium, follow the same guidelines as when planting a Closed Terrarium, just be sure to pack out the bowl with sphagnum moss.

Kokedamas

Kokedama is a style of Japanese bonsai. It is made by binding the plants root ball with a unique soil mixture, sphagnum moss and string.

Kokedamas are usually seen hanging from ceilings, or specially made stands. Personally, I like to put them in a bowl as this way I can just fill the bowl with some water and the plant can slowly soak up the moisture as it needs. I have tried numerous indoor plants with Kokedamas and they all work really well. Furthermore, these plants can be a real talking point in your office.

Crystal Planters

The beauty and power of crystals has been long recognised with healers, shamans and priests using crystals for their unique and special properties. It is widely believed crystals vibrate at the same pitch as humans - such that the resonance between the stone and the human either combats the vibration of the illness or amplifies that of health!

There are thousands of different crystals on the planet.

Many crystals would be useful in the office, especially ones that amplify harmony, resolve conflict or even attract sales! Some people may think you are a little kooky if you start having crystal grids on your desk, so Trevallan has come up with an idea to have these crystals in your workspace, without others even realising.

Planted Crystals

Very cleverly, we have planted plants into crystals that we think would be most beneficial to have in your office. All you need to do is keep the moss wet and you should start to notice the difference straight away!

You could also place some of your crystals on top of your plants soil. This keeps them earthed and cleansed, not to mention that it also looks really pretty! For some ideas on what crystals are best for your office click here. 

Want to improve your plant life balance or maybe someone else's? The Trevallan ladies are here to help. Not only can we can help you decide on the right plant, but we also provide a local delivery service straight to your office on Fridays.

Crystals for the Office

The beauty and power of crystals has been long recognised with healers, shamans and priests using these beautiful rocks for their unique and special properties.

It is widely believed crystals vibrate at the same pitch as humans - such that the resonance between the stone and the human either combats the vibration of the illness or amplifies that of health!

There are thousands of different crystals on the planet.

Many crystals would be useful in the office especially ones that amplify harmony or resolve conflict or even attract sales!

These are just a few that I have found would be useful.

Amethyst

Amethyst can help protect your energy and office space from negativity.

It can help you find and access your truth, connect with your Higher Self, and then can help dissipate the fear that can go with sharing your wisdom.

Citrine

Golden yellow Citrine is an abundance stone. Its colour invokes happiness, joy and optimism. A stone of success Citrine inspires wisdom, cleanses energy and reverses damaging behaviour. Yellow links with the solar plexus chakra the centre for self-esteem, fearlessness and empowerment and self-confidence. It is believed that it can draw good things to you - Powerfully energizes and attracts supportive friends and mentors. Lorelle from Dimensional Chakras talks more about Citrine here

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz arouses and opens the heart to all forms of love and compassion for self and others.

Powerfully energizes and attracts supportive friends and mentors.

Pink infuses your soul with unconditional love, opening your heart to receive the call to follow your dreams and fulfill your purpose.

Sodalite

Sodalite is a clearing stone.

Place next to a computer to help cleanse electromagnetic energy.

It helps keep communication clear and concise. It will help bring an end to disagreements and supports honest expression.

Inspires understanding of problems by promoting inner knowing and self-examination

The colour blue helps access and share truth through the feelings, increasing confidence, self-esteem and trust.

Clear Quartz Crystal

Clear Quartz Crystal is a stone of power. It's a MASTER HEALER that amplifies other stones and intentions. Quartz amplifies the psychic expressions of hearing, seeing and inspirational speaking. It can helps cleanse the auric field and bring peace and harmony.

Fluorite

Fluorite is a stone of mental order and clarity.

It is used to enhance mental clarity and reduce instability and disorder.

This brings a wiser, more balanced view of life and improves decision making.

These traits enable one to manifest ideas and bring plans to fruition.

Fluorite can remove confusion and mental "fog" to create order and harmony in life.

At Trevallan we have beautifully presented planted crystals that you can put on your office desk or you could buy some tumble stones and place them on the top of your office pot plants. Believe or not believe in the power of crystals? Why not give it a go, at the very least it will pretty up your office space and that in itself will change the energy of your workplace!