Bradley - Bring the outside in: the essential guide to cacti, succulents, planters and terrariums

Love plants, but short on outdoor space? Or feeling inspired by striking terrariums and succulent gardens? Keen to create a unique home brimming with greenery? Then this is the book for you.

With stunning photography and expert step-by-step tips, Bring the Outside In reveals everything you need to know to help your plants thrive, from dramatic statement foliage and miniature citrus trees to table-top terrariums and hanging planters. With chapters on orchids, cacti, herb gardens and chilli plants, your home will be flourishing in no time.

Why have plants in your home? Because they give it personality and make your space unique? Because they put you in touch with the living world? Because research has shown that having plants around you improves your mood? Or just because you like them!

This book will tell you everything you need to know about displaying plants at home, from growing pretty flowering plants that enhance well-being, to creating an attractive table-top terrarium, or planting dramatic foliage that makes a statement. Whether you prefer a hanging, free-standing or trailing plant something edible or just ornamental this book has all the information you need to get started.

An enclosed glass container means that moisture given off by the plants condenses and is recycled to keep them growing.

CLEAR GLASS CONTAINER GRAVEL COMPOST PLANTS

Look for small leafy plants that love moisture and will still fit inside the container as they grow.
EXAMPLES: Ferns, Ficus pumila, Hypoestes, Selaginella.

Any clear glass container with a tight-fitting lid will work as long as the sides and base are waterproof.

Put a layer of gravel in the base of the container and add a layer of compost.

Remove the pots and position the plant(s).

Mist gently to settle the compost, adding more compost if the roots show.

Once the compost is thoroughly moist, close the lid and keep it closed.

MAKE IT HAPPY
Put it near a non-sunny window.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
If you keep it watered by misting it once a week and add a small quantity of liquid houseplant food once a month, it should last until the plants are too big for the container. They can then be put into larger pots.

Dont put this kind of container in a sunny spot or the leaves will be damaged by sunlight through the glass.

Dont use plants that like dry conditions (cacti or succulents) or put plants with hairy leaves (e.g. African violet) in a humid container like this because theyll rot.

The sides of an open glass terrarium create a microclimate for the plants inside, trapping moisture around the leaves and reducing the need to water.

CLEAR GLASS CONTAINER GRAVEL COMPOST PLANTS

You need small, leafy plants that will fit inside the container as they grow.

EXAMPLES: Elatostema, Ferns, Peperomia, Pilea.

Any glass container with high and/or incurving sides.

Arrange the plants in the container while still in their pots to make sure they fit.

Put layers of gravel and compost in your terrarium. Take the plants out of their pots.

Position the plants, adding compost around them as you go.

Water gently to settle them in.

MAKE IT HAPPY
Put it near a non-sunny window.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
If you water it about once a week to make sure it doesnt dry out and add a small quantity of liquid houseplant food once a month, it should last until the plants are too big for the container.

Dont put this kind of container in a really sunny spot or the leaves will be damaged by sunlight.

Cacti come from hot, dry areas, where they have adapted to the conditions by reducing their leaves to spines to conserve moisture. They are the ideal easy-care solution to a sunny windowsill where leafy plants would struggle. They grow slowly and if theyre happy theyll produce colourful flowers.

A SELECTION OF CONTAINERS DECORATIVE GRAVEL COMPOST PLANTS PIECE OF NEWSPAPER

You will need small cacti plants that will look attractive together. There are lots of different shapes available.
EXAMPLES: Mammillaria, Parodia, Rebutia.

The aim is to create a collection of cacti, so choose containers that match or coordinate. You could put the cacti together in a single wide, shallow container and add angular stones to make a miniature landscape.

Put a layer of compost in the base of each pot.

Hold each plant with folded newspaper to protect your fingers as you position it.

Add compost up to the rim and press it down lightly to secure the plants in place. Use the blunt end of a pencil if you cant get your fingers in.

Cover the surface with a layer of decorative grit.

MAKE IT HAPPY
Put the plants near a sunny window.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
Cacti can store water inside the plant, but they still need extra, especially if theyre in a particularly hot spot. Water weekly and feed monthly from spring to autumn and then water once a month over the winter. If the plants start to look shrivelled and wrinkly, they really need watering. If you remember to check them regularly, they should last until the plants are too big for the containers.