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Styles, furniture and objects in line with the new housing formats. The plant world has also been affected by this new style of home and, if they haven’t implemented strategies to produce small plants, it is true that these plants have gained in popularity and are increasingly sought after. In small spaces species which don’t grow much are recommended, such as the aluminium plant, hypoestes, button fern, dwarf rose, nertera granadensis and some types of cactus and bonsai. 

Aluminium plant. This plant grows well if it has enough light (in winter it is sensible to put it by the window) and a minimum temperature of 12ºC in winter. It needs an average level of humidity and it is advisable to spray its leaves lightly during hot periods, when it will also require watering a couple of times a week, whilst from autumn onwards it is sufficient to water it once every seven days. 

During the growing season (spring and summer) it is good to fertilise it and also prune the stalks by a few centimetres so that it has the best possible appearance. 

Hypoestes.  As in   the previous case, light is essential for its growth making it sensible to place it in a well-lit place. However, you must be careful in this respect, because excess light or direct sunlight can burn the leaves. Its need for humidity is resolved by placing the pot on top of a layer of wet pebbles and its need for water is dealt with by watering it three times a week in summer and once in winter. By feeding it with liquid fertiliser every three weeks during the warmest seasons and regularly pruning its leaves and damaged flowers, the hypoestes will remain in perfect condition for several seasons. 

Button fern. It is a small plant, with round, dark green leaves, which adapts perfectly to indoor environments as long as a suitable level of humidity is maintained. This is achieved by placing the pot on a layer of wet stones or gravel. It needs watering once every five days in the summer and once every ten days in the cold season. It is sensible to enrich it with liquid fertiliser every twelve days during the hotter months. 

Dwarf rose.  It is the perfect rose variety for growing indoors, but it requires the appropriate light and humidity conditions in order to grow fully. It should be placed in a well-lit place protected from direct sunlight and draughts. Ideal humidity is achieved by putting the pot on top of a layer of wet pebbles or gravel and spraying the leaves regularly, especially in spring and summer. Seasons in which it also requires plenty of water, but take note, this plant should never be watered if you can still detect moisture from the previous watering.  

Nertera granadensis.  It is a delicate plant with tiny flowers in spring, and orange or yellow berries in the summer. It should be placed in well-lit, cool places away from direct sunlight. Correct watering involves placing a dish of water under the pot for a short while, so that it can absorb the liquid without becoming saturated. It is not advisable to spray or wet the leaves.  

Cactus.  Succulent plants and cacti can last a long time in dry, well-lit environments, and their need for water is less than other species. During the hotter seasons it is advisable to water them every two weeks as long as the soil is completely dry. If it isn’t, it is best to wait a couple more days before watering it again.  It is recommended that you fertilise them when they start to flower. There are many kinds of cactus and choosing the right one requires you to ask the expert at the nursery, but some of the small varieties are the oroya neoperuviana, the wavy-ribbed cactus, frailea and various kinds of mammillaria. 

Bonsai.  There are many varieties which give excellent results such as small bonsais. This is the case of the buxus sempervirens, the crassula sarcocaulis, fuchsia, the punica granatum and the piraea japonica, among others. Generally, it is sensible to place them in well-lit places, water them when the soil is dry (place the pot in a dish of water and then drain it) and prune the new shoots in the summer. The fuchsia, specifically,   needs plenty of trimming when it is planted, as well as constant care due to the temperature changes which may occur in the room, and regular and frequent feeding during the growing period.