The trend for bringing the outdoors in isn’t going anywhere, especially in cities such as London where outside green space is limited.

Renters looking for a luxury turnkey apartment will expect house plants to form part of the decor. The problem is that many indoor plants are fussy about light and watering, making them easy to kill.

It’s up to you as the landlord to make sure that any greenery you include will be easy for time-pressed tenants to manage.

The benefits of house plants

House plants don’t just look good; tenants will appreciate the effect that greenery can have on our health and wellbeing.

Get close to nature in a city

London apartments rarely come with gardens or proximity to parks. Professionals commuting between the office and home will appreciate the chance to get closer to nature from their sofa. Looking at plants helps us imagine being outside and feel less claustrophobic.

Stress relief

Indoor plants have been proven to improve mood, increase productivity and reduce stress making them especially appealing to busy, burnt-out professionals.

Healthier air

The air-purifying qualities of house plants have been widely touted ever since Nasa’s 1989 Clean Air Study. This has been disproved somewhat since, as you would need a large quantity of plants (up to 1,000!) to have a noticeable effect on air quality.

However, there is no downside to a plant that absorbs air pollutants, releases oxygen and helps humidify dry air, even if only by your bed. Spider plants, ferns, snake plants, cast iron plants and peace lilies all have detoxifying properties.

Things to consider

When choosing indoor plants to furnish your rental property, look for species that will tolerate low light and fluctuating temperature and survive without regular watering.

Watering

House plants are more likely to die from overwatering than underwatering. If in doubt, only water a plant when its soil is dry. Plant them in pots that allow excess water to drain into a saucer or bigger pot, else the roots may drown.

Light

Direct sunlight scorches leaves so place indoor plants that like bright light away from windows. Some plants, such as snake plants, will be happy in shady spots but most will need at least some light.

Humidity

Keep house plants away from radiators, which dry the air and leave them thirsty. Some plants, such as ferns, need humid environments, so keep them in steamy bathrooms or kitchens.

Safety for pets

Some plants, such as peace lilies, are toxic to pets. If you allow tenants to keep pets, be sure to check whether a species is safe for them to nibble.

11 low maintenance plants that any tenant can manage

Cactus

More of a black thumb than a green thumb? No problem. Cacti thrive on neglect. They come in a huge range of shapes, sizes and textures. They require very little watering and are as hardy as house plants come.

Snake plant

Snake plants are succulents, meaning they retain water in arid climates and only require monthly watering. They prefer indirect sunlight but will survive in shady spots too. In short, it’s nigh on impossible to kill a snake plant.

Cast-iron plant

The clue’s in the name with this house plant. As tough as nails, cast iron plants will only die if drowned by too much watering. It likes indirect sunlight best but will grow in low light too. It doesn’t need regular watering and enjoys being left alone - perfect for rental properties with a high turnover of tenants.

Kalanchoe

Inject some natural colour into your rental property with an easy to care for kalanchoe. This cheery plant blooms with lots of little pink flowers in the spring. Native to dry climates, it likes infrequent watering and sunny windowsills. Once it finishes flowering, simply deadhead it and watch the flowers unfurl again the following year.

Spider plant

Spider plants can be kept anywhere with moderate light and are safe for pets. They don’t require much watering but it’s easy to tell when they need a drink as the leaves start to droop. They make ideal bedroom plants.

Monstera

Trendy monstera, also known as the Swiss cheese plant, adds instant character to any room. Leave one in a sunny spot in the living room, with plenty of space for it to grow. It only needs watering when the soil feels dry but will enjoy a little misting if your tenant has the time. Note that monsteras are poisonous to pets.

String of hearts

Tenants won’t need a green thumb to care for this pretty plant. It has little heart-shaped leaves and looks stylish trailing down a bookcase. It only needs watering when the soil feels dry and is happy in bright to moderate light. Easy peasy.

Boston fern

Boston ferns are happiest in humid rooms with indirect light. Pop one in the bathroom where it will soak up the steam from the shower and enjoy the gentler light from frosted windows. It needs regular watering to keep the soil moist but is otherwise easy to look after. Boston ferns are safe for pets.

Peace lily

Brighten up a dark corner with a peace lily, which thrives in shady spots and flowers in white all year. This resilient plant tells you when it needs watering as its leaves start to sag. It’s toxic to pets.

Parlour palm

The parlour palm, as the chamaedorea is most commonly known, hails from Mexico and has been hugely popular since the Victorian period. It makes an impact with its palm-style leaves but best of all, it’ll get along just fine wherever you put it and only needs watering when the soil is dry to the touch.

Heartleaf philodendron

This photogenic plant likes its soil kept slightly moist, especially in summer, but quickly springs back to life if you forget to water it. Sometimes dubbed the sweetheart plant on account of its heart-shaped leaves, it prefers bright light but won’t die in low light. The only downside is it’s not safe for pets.

How Blueground can help

Blueground offers a turnkey living solution for renters looking for stays from 30 days or more. Property owners let their unfurnished apartment to us and we take care of every step of the rental process, from furnishing to finding a reliable tenant and managing your home.

You’ll never have to worry about which decor elements or greenery to implement for your tenants. Our interior design team are creative pros who know how to attract tenants with style. As a property owner who is leasing your property to Blueground, all you have to do is sit back, relax and collect your passive income every month.