E: 24/01 Win a £100 British Garden Centre voucher to spend in store

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https://www.thesun.co.uk/competitions/37848564/win-100-british-garden-centre-voucher/

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WHILE your outside space is resting under the snow and frost, there’s another way to sooth your gardening soul.

As of Monday, it’s National Houseplant Week, and just as outdoor plants make us happy and boost serotonin, so do their indoor counterparts.

If you’re just starting your houseplant journey – Andy Little, Houseplant Buyer at British Garden Centres, has got some top tips. 

He told Sun Gardening: “If you’re new to houseplants, pick easy ones that don’t need much care. Snake plants, ZZ plants and pothos are great for beginners. 

“They grow in low light and handle missed watering fine. 

“Spider plants make baby plants you can grow for free, whilst peace lilies droop when they need water, so easy to spot and care for.

“Cast iron plants survive in dark spots.

“Chinese evergreens do well in offices or bathrooms with little help. Parlour palms tolerate shade and dry air, whilst rubber plants add big leaves with basic care. 

“Philodendrons trail nicely and forgive mistakes, making them a great low maintenance option.

“And forget the calendar when it comes to houseplant watering.

“All you need to do is put your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle; if it’s dry, give a gentle soak with room temperature water until it runs out the bottom, then tip away any excess. 

“Too much water rots roots, too little crisps leaves, so it’s a good idea to check pot weight and soil moisture weekly during your home MOT to get the feel.”

He added: “Houseplants need 12-16 hours of indirect light each day, so placing them in your east or west-facing windows works best. 

“Not enough light will make stems leggy and weak, and too much direct sun scorches leaves, so make sure you turn pots weekly for even growth all around and pick shade-lovers like philodendrons or snake plants for dim corners. 

“Use a phone app to map your home’s light levels over a day, then tweak spots carefully to avoid shocking the plant with big moves.”

“Also – check weekly for spider mites (fine webs on leaves), mealybugs (white fluffy spots) or scale (small brown lumps on stems). Look for yellowing leaves, curling edges or brown spots too and isolate any sick plants right away. 

“Wipe leaves with neem oil solution and improve air flow around them. Use a magnifying glass or phone camera zoom at home to spot tiny pests, and use natural treatments, mix garlic spray (crushed garlic in water) or soapy water to wipe bugs off safely.”

We have a £100 British Garden Centre in-store voucher to give away to two lucky readers. 

To enter, fill in the form below.

Or write to Sun British Garden Centre competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP.

Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. Jan 24, 2026. T&Cs apply