Share

My green Valentine

This Valentine's Day, give a pretty, living, lasting potplant instead of a boring bunch of mass-produced cut flowers.

The cut flower industry is a heavy user of pesticides and fuel to transport flowers long distances from source (often a resource-greedy greenhouse) to retail sales points. Deliveries from florists use yet more fuel.

Your local nursery will have plenty of appealing potted plants, and advice on which will flourish best in different settings. 

Planting a young flowering tree is another nice idea. Starke Ayres nursery recommends Daiscotinifolia as a Valentine's gift: "an indigenous beauty with soft pink flowers, flowering in summer."

If you do opt for a bouquet, go for locally grown, preferably indigenous, sustainably-harvested blooms. Remember your garden is a very local source too.

See also Grow your own toxin-filter, for a list of air-purifying indoor plants.

- Olivia Rose-Innes, EnviroHealth Editor, Health24, February 2012

More EnviroHealth Tips

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE