The Book Club | Wonderplants by Irene Schampaert

As I piece together this review, I scan the room. All around me are little good-health crusaders, swathes of green, wonky shapes, air filters and new growth. Potted together in a variety of colour and form, I’m talking about an urban jungle of indoor plants.  

Our obsession with botanicals in the home continues to grow (pun, sorry) and despite whether you’re green fingered, or tend to mistreat your leafy friends, there’s no denying the joy and sense of calm a plant provides. In our work they’re often the final pop of magic to a well-designed room. 

Wonderplants is a gorgeous collection of stories from Ho Chi Mihn to NYC and everywhere in between, showcasing how plants have been incorporated into twenty different homes. Matched with inspiring photography, the stories are partly practical – plenty lyrical. Beautifully written, you’ll hear about the delight they bring each dweller, with advice on how to care, locate, flourish and create your own urban jungle. 

In the book, I also respect the gentle reminder that plant life doesn’t have to overwhelm in large numbers around the home - less can be just as effective. 

Novice growers, relax! This book doesn’t leave you out. Flick straight to the chapter on ‘plants and their care’ and you’ll find the step-by-step guide incredibly helpful. Likewise, if you’ve fallen hard for a particular botanical, head for the index where each plant is easily identified… It’s like a plant by numbers for the green fiend.

FACT - plants make you happier.
FACT - greenery calms the heart rate.
FACT - indoor plants improve air quality.

Truly, this enticing plant bible has delivered. Google tells me I can get to my local garden centre in 12mins, traffic clear… heading there now.