Sophie King
Sophie joined the Ideal Home team as Gardens Editor in June 2024. Her love of writing began as a child – spending a lot of her free time crafting fairytales or writing up wildlife projects.
After studying English at Royal Holloway, University of London, Sophie began writing for Grow Your Own magazine, which spurred on her love of gardening.
Sophie's tried growing almost every vegetable under the sun, and has a soft spot for roses and dinner plate dahlias. Her favourite rose variety is ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ and she loves 'Café au Lait’ dahlias. She's also a big fan of houseplants, especially orchids – she finds it impossible to resist adding more to her collection when visiting her local garden centre!
Sophie has interviewed a myriad of incredible gardening experts throughout her career, including guest stars on The Dirt, the gardening podcast she co-hosted during her time at Grow Your Own.
As Gardens Editor, Sophie's always on the lookout for the latest garden trend. She loves sharing growing hacks for every space, from herbaceous borders to compact balconies.
When she hasn't got her hands in the soil, Sophie can be found curled up on the sofa with her cat and a good book.
IDEAL HOME TRUTHS
Where’s your happy place?
At the end of my garden, there’s a gravelled area that’s secluded behind a trellis screen with a swinging bench. It’s incredibly comfortable, and I love lounging out there in the evening, surrounded by cosy festoon lights. Honeysuckle grows along the trellis and puts out a beautiful scent when it’s in bloom during the summer, too.
What’s your home addiction?
Orchids! I’ve been obsessed with them since I was a teenager, and they make a lovely feature in my bedroom. I’m especially fond of the light pink Dendrobium varieties.
What is your next home project?
I want to continue working on my bedroom. There’s a wall I’d love to make a feature out of with some nice wallpaper, so I’ll be hunting through the catalogues to find the right design.
Latest articles by Sophie King
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Romantic tulip displays are going to be in all the chicest gardens in 2025 – these are the go-to colours and varieties to buy now
We asked garden experts for their go-to shades and styling tips
By Sophie King
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7 common winter houseplant problems – how to identify and solve them before it's too late
These are the winter houseplant mistakes you might be making
By Sophie King
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How long does a poinsettia last? 4 ways to beat the average lifespan
With the right care, your poinsettia plant could last a lot longer than you'd expect
By Sophie King
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4 plants you should never prune in December – and why pruning in winter could cost you next year's blooms
The trees and shrubs you should avoid pruning this month
By Sophie King
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How to care for poinsettias – 8 ways to help them thrive, from choosing a healthy plant to the perfect watering schedule
A complete guide to caring for a healthy poinsettia plant
By Sophie King
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Should I spray my Christmas tree with water? Why this common care tip could do your tree more harm than good
Is spraying a real Christmas tree with water helpful? We asked the experts...
By Sophie King
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How long will a real Christmas tree last? The average lifespan to help you time your tree purchase perfectly
Here's when you should be buying your Christmas tree to ensure it lasts the festive period
By Sophie King
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The ultimate guide to buying a real Christmas tree – the 5 most popular types, and what to look out for when selecting a tree
Spruce or fir? We asked the experts...
By Sophie King
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When to prune clematis – how to identify the type you have so you know the right (and wrong!) time to cut it back
Here's how to tell which pruning group your clematis belongs to
By Sophie King
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How to grow cyclamen indoors – everything you need to know about watering and planting for festive flowers this Christmas
Get the most out of this festive perennial
By Sophie King
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Can you repot houseplants in winter? Only if they fall into one of these two categories, say plant experts
Here's how to tell if you can repot your houseplants in winter
By Sophie King
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How deep to plant tulip bulbs – garden experts reveal the perfect depth for healthy spring blooms
The ideal depth, explained
By Sophie King
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What to use instead of a cloche in a garden – 5 smart alternatives to protect your plants over winter
Our favourite swaps, including the best DIY cloche ideas
By Sophie King
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Should I cover raised beds in winter? Why so many experts agree that covering your soil could give your garden the boost it needs
Is covering raised beds in winter worth it?
By Sophie King
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How to remove ice from a driveway – and the popular method paving experts are warning against
Is salt safe for driveways? Here's what the experts say...
By Sophie King
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Can you save a plant that's been exposed to frost? How to tell if it's too late, and what to do with frostbitten plants
Here's what the experts say...
By Sophie King
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5 houseplants that can replace a Christmas tree – with styling tips from indoor plant experts
You can decorate these houseplants like a Christmas tree
By Sophie King
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How to prune forsythia – the all-important task to tackle to guarantee spring flowering
It's the key to vibrant blooms
By Sophie King
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Best Christmas houseplants – 5 plants that bloom over the festive period for cheerful indoor displays
Looking for plants that flower over Christmas? Right this way...
By Sophie King
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When is the first frost in my area? Use these tools so you can plan ahead before temperatures drop
By Sophie King
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When to stop planting spring bulbs – this is what skipping the autumn window means for future blooms
When is it too late to plant spring bulbs?
By Sophie King
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Do perennials need to be protected from frost? Some do – and leaving them unprotected could spell disaster for your plants
These are the perennials that need protecting over the winter
By Sophie King
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Can you protect plants from frost with bubble wrap? It works, but you'll need to use it the right way
It's a popular frost protection method, but how effective is it?
By Sophie King
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Where is the best place to plant snowdrops? How to choose the best location for sweeping spring displays
Wondering where to plant snowdrops? Here's what the experts say...
By Sophie King