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He turns to his monstrous Monstera, situated between a blue
velour sofa and a 60s-vibe dining room set. “If you’re struggling
to find a good reason to make room for a giant plant, my best tip
is to use it as a room divider. That way it serves a purpose, in the
same way a piece of furniture would. To me, that’s what plants
and interiors have in common. Yes, they’re both beautiful. But
they’re also functional.”
Care
Like a colour trend changing from one season to another, or a
must-have sneaker quickly running by, there are also “it” plants.
But are we supposed to care about trends when it comes to
plants? “Globalisation is giving us access to a larger variety of
species than ever before, so I think it’s natural that plants too are
affected by trends. But if we look at the plants our grandparents
used to have in their homes that are still popular today, they’re
the ones that have the best chance of surviving under Nordic
conditions. I think the reason why I succeed with my plants is
that I choose the hardy instead of the trendy.”
Rainforest species and dark hues of green and purple have
recently grown popular. “It’s a sustainable trend, especially for
Nordic countries. The darker the leaves, the less light they need.
And the thicker the texture, the more they can withstand. But
there are ways of succeeding with finer foliage too. Mirrors can
help reflect light towards poorly illuminated corners, or you can
install a grow light to make the winter season bearable for your
exotic friends.”
Produce
In a time of flight-shame movements and meatless Mondays,
it’s all about reducing. But according to Anders, there’s one thing
we should produce rather than reduce. “My partner Erik keeps
finding traces of dirt everywhere and I think he secretly hates it.
At the same time, growing and re-potting plants is my
contribution to helping the environment. You can’t hate on that!”
Accumulating such a large amount of plants means he sometimes
needs to let go of a few treasured green gems. “Whenever we’re
giving away a plant, it’s always a big deal for me because I get
so emotionally attached. That’s why they make such great gifts,
especially if it’s a self-produced plant. Grow a seed, replant
an offshoot or take a leaf or stem cutting from one of your own
plants. When it’s strong enough to leave its nest, give it to
someone you care for. In a way, the plant becomes an extension
of the time and love you’ve given to make it grow.”
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