Plant envy is real. No longer do we peruse Pinterest and Instagram, coveting people’s Sunday morning latte in a hand-thrown mug with a side of Kinfolk (old news – anyone can achieve that.) Nope, instead we’re going green with envy for those who’ve cultivated a leafy looking interior. From hanging planters to succulents and indoor trees, the key to a lust-worthy living space is indoor planting – and the more the better. In fact, some of the homes we’ve seen are verging on indoor rainforest. Aside from looking good, incorporating some lush looking foliage calms the senses and has even been found to reduce stress levels. So, how to up your plant game? Which specimens make for an oasis of cool, and more importantly, how to keep them alive? Click through to discover the hottest plants of the moment and how to keep them in rude health…
Fiddle Leaf Fig
The current star of the plant world, every interior blogger worth their salt has one of these popped into a corner of their space. It’s easy to see their appeal; the Fiddle leaf fig’s large glossy foliage bring life to any space. They need lots of natural light, but can’t deal with direct sunlight – and you mustn’t let the soil dry out. On the downside, they’re not cheap – we’re talking at least three figures for a decent sized specimen.
Photo: Erica Gannett.
Swiss Cheese Plant
As 1970s silhouettes populate the catwalk, so too do '70s shapes creep back into our homes. A proof point being the revival of the classic Swiss cheese plant, now back in demand after spending years as a hippy throwback. Lush and sculptural with juicy looking leaves, it’ll bring an earthy, healthy feel to your space. It’s not too fussy either – it likes bright, light-filled rooms, but not direct sunlight.
Photo: Maria DelRio.
Spider Plant
The mere mention of a Spider plant may instantly transport you back to your primary school classroom circa 1990, but don’t rule these retro botanicals out just yet. They’re super easy to care for (hence surviving the neglect of classrooms nationwide), they grow fast and they contribute to a healthier environment; it absorbs harmful chemicals in the atmosphere such as carbon monoxide. They prefer light spots near windows, but away from central heating. They can also suffer from overwatering, so make sure their soil dries out before the next watering.
Photo: Courtesy of Mademoiselle Poirot.
Rubber Plant
Hailing from exotic climes such as India, Indonesia and China, the Rubber plant’s broad, dark green leaves are sure to give your home a flavour of far-flung places. As attractive as it is, pet owners should be aware, some varieties of the plant are toxic to dogs and cats. A robust plant, it has a reputation for thriving in even the most neglectful of homes (so good news for plant serial killers), but take care not to over water.
Photo: Courtesy of Botanic.
Chinese Money Plant (A.K.A. Missionary Plant)
With its beautiful, disc-like leaves, it’s no wonder the Chinese money plant is dominating the world of Pinterest and Instagram. If you’ve got succulent fatigue this is a great one to try thanks to its exotic appeal – it also has an intriguing story. Originating from Yunnan province in China (clue’s in the name), it was brought back to Europe by a Norwegian missionary in the 1940s, where he gave cuttings to friends who admired it. Twenty-odd years later, the plant was a staple of Norwegian windowsills, and a British woman visiting her Norwegian au pair liked the plant so much she brought one back to the UK as a souvenir. Even in plants, Scandinavians have the best taste, clearly. Keep your Chinese money plant in a relatively cool environment and a in good amount of light, though not direct sunlight.
Photo: via @weekdaycarnival.
String of Pearls
Also known as the String of Beads plant, this succulent provides endless opportunity for creative planting. Allow them to spill over flower pots, trail down walls, or creep from hanging planters to create visual interest and texture. Unlike many of the other house plants mentioned, the String of Pearls can take on direct sunlight and prefers well draining, sandy soil. Follow this DIY from A Home Full of Colour to make your own hanging garden.
Photo: via @margretbjork.
Asparagus Fern
If you don’t have the space for expansive glossy-leafed plants, try adding some frothy fauna to your space with the Asparagus fern. A delicate, light-loving plant (not full sunlight), they like to be well-watered, occasionally misted and kept in light, rich soil (don’t we all?).
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