Potted plants are popping back up in homes across the region

Potted plants are making a big comeback, with young women driving the revival.

Peter Popenko, owner of The Plant Shack, says that more young women uncovering the benefits of indoor plants has helped boost the resurgence, which has been gathering momentum for the past year and a half.

Indoor plants are not only great for introducing some green to help lift your mood, but they are also great at improving air quality.

“Bringing green in to your office improves the atmosphere,” Peter says.

Indoor potted plants have previously been somewhat disposable as they have been difficult to keep alive.

With Peter's help, this no longer has to be the case. If you follow his tips on how to care for your indoor plant and selection advice they should thrive.

Some popular varieties from the 70's with deep green foliage, including Aglaonema, Philodendron, Pothos and Dieffenbachia are back in high demand.

The secret to healthy indoor plants is to remember they are alive and to survive they need food, water and light.

Potting: A common blunder is putting plants in pots that are too big, which leads to poor drainage and excess unused soil. After you purchase a new plant, don't take it out of the container you purchased it in straight away. Add some liquid feritliser and pop it inside your bigger decorative pot. This makes it nice and easy to remove the pot and water it in a sink.

Watering: On average, indoor plants should only require water once a week, with plants in patio areas needing water up to three times a week. The amount required will vary depending on the size of the plant and the pot that it lives in. It's important to ensure that no plant is left sitting in water for more than two days. If it is, the plant will be at risk of root rot or disease.

Fertilising: Fertiliser is essentially 'food' for your plant, so the more active it is, the more it will require. Instead of using water, every fifth or tenth time you water your plant you should spray on some good quality liquid fertiliser. Peter recommends triple boost or power feed.

Position: Particular plants will prefer different positions in your home. It's important that you understand the micro-climates within your home, as conditions can vary even within one room. It's important to understand the light, heat and airflow available to your plant.

Plant choice: This is arguably the most important factor in having a healthy indoor plant. If you aren't sure what plant suits the conditions, seek advice.

Plant stress: It's always better to be proactive than reactive. Anticipating how your plant will respond to certain conditions is much more effective than reacting to a sick plant. To avoid plant stress, avoid extremes.

A trick Peter has for plant owners who have a habit of forgetting about their plants it to name them.

“You’re more likely to remember it, if it’s like one of your pets,” he says.

You can visit Peter and the team at The Plant Shack, corner Krause St and Deception Bay Rd, Deception Bay. Phone 3888 3737