You don’t have to chat to them if you don’t want to.

But studies show that houseplants really do thrive when you strike up the odd conversation with them so you might as well be social.

In fact, having someone who never tires of listening to all your gripes and grumbles is just one of the many benefits of filling your living space with some greenery.

Not only are lush green leaves gorgeous to look at, but being close to nature reduces stress, boosts our immunity and increases productivity. Plants are also hard-working; purifying the air in our personal spaces and, let’s be honest, they look great too.

Whether you just want to jazz up a dull corner in the office or you want to go the whole hog and turn your living room into a jungle, here are three Irish greenery gurus that have all the goods:

1. PRICKLY PLANTS

Set up on Instagram in 2020, Prickly Plants specialise in plant artistry and pot design. Carrignavar-based owner Vivienne propagates all her own plants on her family’s farm, selling them online via the feed as well as at the Marina Market in Blackrock and in O’Mahony’s of Watergrassshill.

Her handmade Irish eco-cement pots filled with cacti and succulents are ideal for first-time plant parents (they’re practically invincible) but they also have plants of the non-prickly variety too, if it’s a ficus or a botanica aphelandra you’re after.

A brand new shop will be opening in Waterfront Business Park in Little Island this June.

Visit Prickly Plants on Instagram

2. GLAS

At Glas, the aim is simple; ‘to make house plants easy for all’. If you have no idea where to start your search for a hardy houseplant, their website is split into helpful categories such as ‘Unkillable’, ‘Pet-Friendly Plants and ‘Shade Lovers’ so you can’t go wrong.

Simply browse the lovely Boston ferns, elephant ear plants, pines, palms and lilies in their shop and they’ll deliver your picks straight to your door for free in Cork (over €20) within five days. The Glas gang will even help you with all the after care tips your new addition needs.

Beautiful pots and planters are available too – ideal for gifting.

Visit Glasplants.ie

3. VERD

Based in Timoleague, Verd is a one-stop shop for healthy, gorgeous greenery.

The Instagram feed is a wealth of knowledge, including handy troubleshooting questions such as ‘What’s wrong with my plant?’ and ‘Most Common Houseplant Mistakes’ and the online shop boasts plants of all sizes, as well as some really beautiful living hampers that are perfect for surprising someone special.

You’ll find Verd popping up at Clonakilty Farmer’s Market, with free delivery is available in West Cork.

Visit Verd.ie