Have to stay inside but keen for fresh air and greenery?
Indoor plants have been shown to improve air quality, and if nothing else, having a little bit of the outside inside, is sure to make life indoors more pleasant.
Although all plants are outdoor plants, those that can cope with lower-light levels in their natural habitats adapt more easily to life indoors. Indoor plants rely completely on you to provide for their needs, so if you look after your plants and give them the care, e.g. light, water and fertiliser they need, then they will reward you with lushness and beauty. Here are a few to try:
1) Mini Trees
Trees use your floor space to get some height and a lush effect. Ficus lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig) has broad, leathery, fiddle-shaped leaves and Ficus elastica (Rubber Plant) has large, shiny leaves in shades of green and even burgundy. Both create a bold statement and can be encouraged to grow into larger indoor trees by planting in larger pots. For a less solid or more delicate look, try Schefflera arboricola (Umbrella Tree) with its bright green hand-like leaves and Ficus benjamina (Benjamin or Weeping Fig) with its small, glossy leaves and slightly weeping habit.
2) Ferns
All-time favourites for humid bathrooms. Try Adiantum spp. (Maidenhair Fern), Nephrolepis bostoniensis (Boston Fern) and Blechnum gibbum.
3) Climbers
Train them up totem poles or trellises, or grow in hanging baskets where they can cascade over the edges. Epipremnum aureum (Pothos, Golden Pothos, Devil’s Ivy), Syngonium podophyllum (Arrowhead Vine), Hedera spp. (Ivy), Chlorophytum comosum (Hen and Chickens, Spider Plant), Tradescantia zebrina, Ficus pumila (Climbing Fig), Hoya, and the more succulent Senecio rowleyanus (String of Pearls) and Ceropegia woodii (String of Hearts) are good choices.
4) Old, Bold and Modern
Sansevieria (Snake Plant, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue) has stiff, leathery leaves. They’re ideal for modern, minimalist interiors and are useful where space is a concern. Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Zanzibar Gem) has glossy, exotic leaves and bromeliads such as Alcantarea, Neoregelia and Vriesea offer striking form and leaf colour. Anthurium andreanum (Anthurium) has bold, waxy flowers and Aspidistra elatior (Cast Iron Plant) is a vintage indoor plant that has been making a comeback due to its tolerance of low light, low humidity, temperature fluctuations and irregular watering.
5) Palms and Foliage
Parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans) or Kentia Palm are classics. For lush foliage, choose plants like Pothos, various Philodendrons, Aglaonema commutatum (Chinese Evergreen), Dracaena (Happy Plant), Cordylines and Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant).
6) Succulents and Cacti
If the Succulent or Cactus look is more to your taste, then an Aloe, Schlumbergera/Zygocactus (Christmas Cactus), Crassula ovata (Jade Plant) or Portulacaria afra (Mini Jade Plant) will fit the bill.
7) Pretty Pretties
If you are after some colour, then Orchids (e.g. Phalaenopsis), African Violets (Saintpaulia), Streptocarpus, Cyclamen and Air Plants (Tillandsia), offer flowers in shades of pink, mauve, purple and white. Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) and Begonia offer bolder colours such as red, yellow and orange. Spathiphyllum, the Peace Lily, always provides a classic look and they’re well-known for their air cleaning ability.
If you’re a landscape or nursery industry professional, indoor plantscaper, or real estate agent looking for suppliers of indoor plants or plants for green walls, then PlantSelect is the ideal place to start your search. We connect landscapers to growers and plant suppliers using our comprehensive plant database that allows you to search and discover plants using a range of filters that will streamline your experience.
Simply sign up to PlantSelect to start exploring our plant categories or search for the specific plants you want and PlantSelect will find the relevant suppliers for you. If you’d like to get in contact with us then please fill out the form on our website or call 0433 745 004.
