Plant parents rejoice because Bunnings have launched a new range of pots, including two exclusive capsule collections from Melbourne-based designers Capra Designs and Lightly.
These add to Bunnings’ recent collaboration with 13 Warlukurlangu artists, who created indigenous artworks that feature across a colourful collection of 16 pots.
For the sustainably-minded, the range includes pots created using recycled materials and 100% wind energy by Dutch designed and made brand Elho.
With something for everyone and prices starting at just $4, keeping your plants looking lush and your home stylish is as easy as ever. Below Bunnings’ garden décor buyer Anna Safaryan shares her top 10 picks, all under $100.
Houseplants have become as much a decorating accessory as cushions and art! We spoke to a stylist and a plant expert for their take on styling with them (and keeping…
Spring brings with it signs of sunshine, blooming flowers and fresh green sprouts, signs of new beginnings and light and bright months ahead. No wonder it is the time of year that we choose to get rid of the old, do a deep clean and truly refresh our homes.
Whilst making your home spick and span, there are some key elements to consider for your indoor greenery game, that will ensure you don’t end up causing a cleaning inconvenience for yourself along the way.
Cleaning and maintenance tips budding plant parents need to consider:
When choosing a pot for your new indoor plant, consider a waterproof pot option – this will stop you from getting water ring marks on your favourite furniture pieces, which we all know is impossible to clean!
Consider the weight of the pot you are selecting – using heavy pots indoors will make cleaning around the area difficult, so ensure the plant will be light enough when potted to dust and wipe around/ under easily.
Use a shallow and wide pot to allow you to experiment with a few plants in the one pot – less watering, less cleaning and will remove clutter from your home.
With spring meaning higher temperatures and brighter days, your houseplants will have a growth spurt very soon, meaning its time to re-pot. You should re-pot your indoor plants every year and ensure 20 percent room for growth to ensure your green-friend does not overgrow its home and cause a mess all over yours!
If you have pets, ensure that you place your plants out of reach, so they don’t tip soil out or leave nibbled leaves on the floor. Also, remember to always check what plants are safe for animals before sprucing up your space with greenery.
A self-watering insert may be your key to keeping your plants hydrated without risking water splashes on your furnishings from heading backwards and forwards to the tap too many times.
Last but not least, make sure you clean the dust off your plant leaves so it doesn’t build up in your home – this can be done by simply wiping them with a clean damp cloth.
Once you have finished your spring clean and house reset, add the chic addition of elho’s Fuente Lily Pot to your home, sure to improve any corner of the house!
-elho is a sustainable and eco-friendly pot brand available at Bunnings.
When renting, your options to personalise your space are limited. You don’t have to paint your walls or remodel the kitchen to have a space that reflects your unique style, however. Genevieve Rosen-Biller has provided her expert tips to make your rental your own.
Swap out blinds and curtains
If you’re renting, it’s almost a given the window treatments will be a little dated. The good news is that these can usually be swapped out easily and inexpensively. Hanging some fresh curtains in a neutral shade will quickly update the room and give it a whole new look. Just hang onto the old ones so you can put them back up again when you move out. (And take your new ones with you!)
Photography: Tuiss Blinds Online
Invest in beautiful bedding
Quality bed linen is a near effortless way to elevate a bedroom. This room should feel like a sanctuary and choosing pure bedding that is comfortable, breathable and luxurious will ensure you always sleep well. The enticing texture and broad colour range makes linen sheets a popular choice. Style in single tones or mix and match for a simple yet chic look.
Introduce plants
Leafy pot plants liven up and bring energy to any space, while keeping you feeling connected to the natural world. A big towering plant like a fiddle leaf fig in a bare corner, or trailing vines like devil’s ivy cascading down a shelf are instant statement maker. As a bonus, they will purify the air.
Photography: Sally Goodall
Add artworks
Art is a sure-fire way to add colour and personality to a place, and an art collection is something you can build on over time and take wherever you go. Most landlords will grant permission to add some hooks to blank walls so you can hang your favourite pieces. If this isn’t an option, lean oversized artworks against the walls on the floor and line up smaller pieces along cabinets, mantels and bookshelves.
Photography: Chloe Lambert; Art: Anna Price
Let there be light
Lighting can make a huge difference to the ambience and style. If natural light is lacking, bring in some floor and table lamps placed carefully around. Light fixtures that are daggy or clash with your chosen décor can easily be replaced with something more modern. As with the window treatments, just remember to stash the old ones somewhere safe for when you leave.
Photography: Sally Goodall
Cover the floor
A non-permanent solution to ugly patterned tiles, stained carpet or weathered floorboards is to layer rugs over the top. The larger the better, in colours and textures that give the room a new look while covering up all manner of sins at the same time.
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No longer a relic of the 1970’s, houseplants are once again having their day in the sun. Indoor plant aficionado Jennifer Sampson, one half of ceramics business Jones & Co, shares her tips to have your plants looking their absolute best.
Show me the light
The first rule when creating your own thriving green metropolis is to understand the light. It sounds super boring if you’re ready to buy plants right away, but buying the right plants, or placing them in the right zones allows them to thrive and makes you a happy plant parent. If you start with some of the low maintenance plants below, you can build confidence and then branch into some of the trickier varieties out there. There are plenty of apps you can use to determine the light direction in your place.
North – Low to moderate indirect light. Only suited for low light loving plants like Mother in Law’s Tongue, Peperomia or a Zanzibar Gem. Great for hallways, low spots in living rooms next to a cabinet or couch where there isn’t as much light filtering through.
South – Bright indirect light to full sun in the afternoon. Best for light lovers like succulents and cactus. We’ve never had much luck with blue toned succulents inside; they seem to love the outdoor sun best. Play it safe and go for the green, fleshy succulents that are a little more forgiving. You really can’t go wrong with a great cactus in a handmade planter, though!
East – Medium bright, indirect light. Try a classic Devil’s Ivy (Pothos) or a hardy Bird’s Nest Fern which can tolerate more light. Nothing beats a trailing Pothos dangling over a high shelf in the kitchen or on the windowsill in the bathroom. They’re a great way to introduce some green in your vertical space if you are short on floor space or have little gardeners (kids and pets) running around.
West- Medium bright, indirect light, with some direct sun at the end of the day. Most house plants get on with this kind of light. Lush Boston Ferns, Ficus and Philodendrons are all good ones to try and come in lots of different sizes and cool species. Just don’t place anything too close to the windowpanes, as the magnification from the glass can burn their leaves.
Chicken or the egg?
What comes first, the planter or the plant? It’s a question as old as time. There are lots and lots of different planters, so we vote for planter first! If you want to repot your plant, you need to make sure your planter has a drainage hole. If it doesn’t have a drainage hole, you can use it as a cache pot. Leaving your plant in the plastic nursery pot, remove it for watering, then pop it back in its colourful house afterwards. We love this idea, as you can change up the look whenever you want.
Group love
Sometimes one isn’t enough, especially if you are after that lush tropical vibe. When grouping together your new besties, different themes can unify your look. For example, you can combine the same plant types, like pairing architectural succulents and cacti together, or tropical leaf plants like a Monstera, Philodendron and Rubber Plants. Also, think about the foliage colour: dark greens together with a variegated species will make those variegated babies really pop! Consider the height and shape of plants, too. Look for a taller, straight plant to pair with a bushier one, then maybe a short and squat one. This ensures that each baby gets their own moment.
Power of one
If it all seems a little intimidating, just start with one plant you love. Choose the right room with the perfect light, nurture it, care for it and learn its likes and dislikes. Once you know when to water, or when to prune a stray leaf you can add another of the same variety, or upsize your planter. You can continue doing this until you have one giant, luscious plant and everyone thinks you are the gardening king or queen!
-Jennifer Sampson is the creative director of homewares company Jones & Co. All the pots pictured are from their latest collection.
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Houseplants online: how to buy and sell them on Gumtree
There’s been an enormous revival in the popularity of houseplants. Previously relegated to the 1970s, indoor greenery has exploded back into fashion! Driven largely through the increased focus on wellness,…
There’s been an enormous revival in the popularity of houseplants. Previously relegated to the 1970s, indoor greenery has exploded back into fashion! Driven largely through the increased focus on wellness, and often seen styled beautifully on social media, cultivating your own indoor jungle oasis can seem daunting.
Image: Leaf Supply
But there are plenty of beautiful, healthy, and well-established plants that you can grab for a local bargain online. Or, alternatively, if you’ve become an expert propagator, you could look at selling your own plant babies!
Amanda Behere from Gumtree Australia shares the following advice:
Selling:
Propagate plants: Think about any plants at home you could divide and propagate to sell separately – veggies, ferns and houseplants are great options! To propagate, just take a stem or healthy leaf clipping, place in clean water and give it extra sunlight – it usually grows strong healthy roots within a month. Succulents are a great option for this and very popular on site, with over 4,000 listings.
Money does grow on trees: When your ferns or growers are due for a trim, don’t just throw their lengths in the bin – sell plants as cuttings or ‘off-cuts’ as some people enjoy buying them for the challenge, or want to buy clippings for a small price. This also helps someone else in their green thumbed adventure! Some examples here and here.
Patience pays off: Mature plants can make some serious money. If you bought a cheap plant at the supermarket and it has matured into a beautiful home feature, it can be sold for more money. Many people want to buy ‘interiors-ready’ plants for styling, so you can sometimes double the price. See a larger plant here.
Know your item value: Know the right price (or approximate price) for what you are selling. Simply search your plant type on Gumtree before posting to get your price right and this will increase your chances of selling!
Buying:
Do your research: Dedicate time to research what’s out there to help you understand the average price of similar plants. Search by style and category and both new/used plants to see the best options for your budget.
Ask questions: Get to know more about the plants by asking sellers questions about the species, their specific needs, and any questions you might have about its Gumtree description. It is also important to ask for images of the whole plant to ensure every part of it is healthy or as per its description.
Keyword searching: The number of plants on Gumtree can be overwhelming, so to whittle down your options, make sure you search via keywords to find the exact plant you are looking for. If you search ‘plants’ in Gumtree over 16,000 listings pop up so be specific based on what you are looking for – for example searching ‘Philodendron’ brings up 300 listings, which is much easier to sift through!
Package deal: Some buyers will generally be selling more than one plant, so ask if they have anything else available and see if you can get a deal if you buy more than one.
Tips such as these are accessible to people of all skill levels; from those of you who are dedicated to cultivating a lush jungle paradise in your own home, to those of you who just want to add a few splashes of greenery to a room. Either way, finding the right plants for you and your home has never been easier.
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There’s no doubt that greenery is a very cool trend right now – PANTONE did make it the colour of the year, didn’t they? However, the chic style goes so much further than just a swatch, with vases and planters hosting gorgeous green plants the coolest addition to any room.
It’s not all about aesthetics though, indoor plants have health benefits too – they use your expelled carbon dioxide and turn it into oxygen, have been proven to sharpen focus and reduce airborne dust levels.
Planning your indoor garden yet? Well, make sure you’ve got the best in indoor plant style by checking out some of the best in planters and vases, brought to you by Life Instyle. The boutique trade fair is happening next month, with some of the country’s coolest creatives and designers showcasing their latest wares. The show is all about creative excellence and innovative style, so take a cue from these examples on what your indoors should be looking like:
Petite planters from Hammered Leatherworks
These porcelain and leather hanging planters from Hammered Leatherworks come in a variety of colours, so you’ll know they’ll work with whatever aesthetic you’re after.
Brass vases from Urban Eden
Urban Eden’s main aim is to get people into gardening and reconnected with nature – these brass vases look to do exactly that!
Teardrop vase from Stix & Flora
Stix & Flora is a family business run by mum Jules and daughter Em – these teardrop vases are bestsellers, and we can see why!
Glass vase by Koa by Kaitlin
Each of Koa’s pieces are all ethically hand carved, making your vase a unique place to host your greens.
Botanica
Expressing their appreciation for nature through industrial design, Lesley Williams and Simon Zappia established Botanica, a collection of objects that highlight both the tiny and delicate to the large and wondrous of the plant world. Inspired by vivariums and Wardian cases of the 1800s, their products deliver a tribute to nature’s most delicate botanical offerings with a contemporary feel. This year’s product collection includes: Sanctuary S, Sanctuary M (in Rainforest, Temperate and Arid) and the newly released Biodome.
Not since the seventies have we seen such a huge interest in indoor plants. From fiddle leaf figs to monstera, rubber and money trees, it seems everyone is getting their hands dirty these days. But many people lack the smarts to keep their plants alive. “Most people are not born with a green thumb but with a little patience and some schooling up, it’s pretty easy to get a handle on plant care 101,” says Elle Prince, co-founder of online plant store Plants In A Box.
Notably, eBay has seen a spike in plant sales of late with total listings of fiddle leaf figs up by 100 per cent, rubber plants up 44 per cent and Philodendron listings up by a whopping 300 per cent.
“Like most things, plants go through trend cycles and we are witnessing a huge demand for indoor plants again. It was uber cool in the 70’s and I think in modern architecture we are seeing more homes being styled and modelled on 70’s concepts, so I think it’s natural that indoor plants have made a comeback,” says Elle.
Water Surprisingly, it’s mostly over and not under watering that rings the death knell for indoor plants. “Over watering is the biggest killer of indoor plants. Do not over water! You can start out by watering once every five to seven days in the warmer months and once every seven to 10 days in the cooler months. This seems to suit most plants,” says Elle.
And on the topic of hydration, indoor plants favour a moist environment — bathrooms in particular. “Dry climates aren’t helpful — humid is better.”
Light Given there are so many different indoor plants, each with their own light requirements, it can be difficult to know where exactly to locate your plants. “Darkness is really not helpful. Place plants in locations where there is plenty of light but not necessarily direct sunlight,” says Elle.
Soil “Less is more with these guys. Indoor plants require a good quality, well-draining potting mix with slow release fertiliser, don’t be a cheapskate and go buy the good stuff!” says Elle. I have to say that I couldn’t agree more — my own indoor plants flourished after being fertilised.
Kill-proof plants While it’s possible to kill any plant with a combination of over-water, poor light or nutrient-depleted soil, some are much more hardy than others. “The toughest plants around are Philodendrons, Ficus Elastica rubber plants, Parlour Palms, Dieffenbachia or ‘Tropic Marianne,’ Calathea Ornate Sandriana, Zanzibar Gem, Spathiphyllum and the Peperomias. But foremost, you’ve got to enjoy it! Love it and they’ll love you back. It’s really not as daunting as you think,” says Elle.
Alocasia lowii or ‘Polly Amazonica’ is Ella’s all-time favourite indoor plant. “I have a soft spot for this guy as this was my first introduction to the indoor plant world,” says Elle.
And for those of us who’ve had their fill of fiddle leaf figs (not me, I still love them!), Elle’s pick for the next big thing is the Pilea Peperomiodes. “This little Chinese money plant is so hot right now because he takes way too long to propagate and no-one has the numbers of this guy in Australia yet. But shhh, it’s coming to our Plants in a Box store in 2017!”
We all know house plants are in fashion right now, but unlike other decor, some work and skills are involved in keeping these green beauties alive and thriving! We asked Alana Langan, one half of super stylish Melbourne plant pot and holder brand IVY MUSE, to share her advice.
Throughout our time spent caring for plants we’ve learnt there’s one major key to keeping them thriving; paying attention to them. Check in on your plants every couple of days and keep abreast of what’s happening with them; are there signs of new growth, distress, soil dryness etc? We’ve found that this valuable check-in time means you can identify any potential issues and act quickly before they damage your plant beyond repair.
What’s trendy?
In vogue right now is the Monstera Obliqua (otherwise known as the Swiss Cheese Vine). It’s a beautiful, bizarre-leafed plant that really comes into its own when it can cascade off a fireplace mantle or shelf. We often get asked what’s in vogue as thethe Fiddle Leaf Fig definitely had its five minutes of fame a few years back. In saying that though, we’re still very much a fan of this beautiful tree; it’s eye-catching and is a fast-growing, rewarding plant that cuts a striking pose. As an alternative, you could try an Umbrella Tree (Schefflera Amate) which is a little easier to care for but still has a big, bold appearance. It’s one of our current favourites!
How to match your plant with a pot/stand
Plant stands really do what their name suggests; they give your plant height, but their magic really lies in their ability to transform the humble plant into a statement decorative piece for the home. Plant stands suit a variety of spaces. Their use is mostly guided by the plants they support and how you’d like to use them. If you need to brighten a small, dull corner, a plant stand with a hardy plant like a Sansevieria or Cast Iron Plant will do the trick well. Or for more of a feature in a larger, brighter spot, team your shorter stand with a large lightweight pot and a Spath Sensation for a maximum effect.
Where to source plants
Your local nursery or plant shop are is a great starting point to source your plants. If you’re in Melbourne, we sell plants as well as pots and stands at our IVY MUSEBotanical Emporium! More and more we’re seeing hardware stores, big retailers and supermarkets carrying plants but be careful, they’re not always the best quality.
Think outside the box
Bathrooms are an often overlooked place in the house when it comes to displaying plants. If you’re keen on creating a jungle-like vibe, think outside the box. Bathrooms tend to be small with less space on the floor so don’t forget to consider utilising the vertical space above with hanging planters and/or creeping vines. Plant hangers can be effective used singularly, or if space allows, in a pair or trio with long cascading plants for full effect.
The holistic benefits of plants at home
Apart from the obvious fact that greenery is beautiful and can improve the look and feel of a home on so many levels, studies have shown plants can offer us many benefits including cleaner air and decreased stress levels, plus they can also help boost our creativity and memory retention. Not only beneficial on an aesthetic level, caring for plants can be a rewarding and long-standing endeavour that enriches our life. As well as offering time for solitude and quiet contemplation away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, keeping plants can be a fun, shared experience. We often spend time tending to our indoor garden with our young children and love to see their excitement at watering the plants or witnessing the unfurling of a new leaf.
Our obsession with beautifully presented indoor greenery continues and we’re loving the latest interpretation of the trend, the Art-House Series. A collaboration between Melbourne mothers Sarah Triolo of Glasshouse Terrariums and artist Rachel Bainbridge, this new range offers low-maintenance living decor that fuses nature with art – terrariums, kokedama moss balls and air plants combine with contemporary resin art for a gorgeous result.
“Our Art-House Series currently consists of both a monochrome collection and a pastels collection with various resin art hanging platforms, a modern take on the vertical garden using resin artwork to hold air plants, placemats as bases for kokedamas and hand painted resin terrarium bases. We have created pieces that are fresh and original and full of heart. We would be proud to have these in our homes and we hope our customers feel the same,” says Sarah Triolo.
Sarah Triolo & Rachel Bainbridge
And if, like us, your thumb isn’t exactly green, this range is ideal. The abstract painterly qualities of the air plant wall hangings aside, we love that the plants survive literally on air! In addition, not only do these plants, terrariums and indoor plants generally require minimal maintenance (perfect for our time-poor lives), they also take up a small amount of space for something that can have such great visual impact. We love the abstract painterly qualities of the air plant wall hangings, made from waterproof resin. “Resin art is water resistant which is an important quality when being used with plants and the sleek glass-like finish is the perfect complement to a terrarium range,” says Sarah.
“We feel proud that each piece is completely handmade by ourselves, and that every piece we offer is unique. We both feel very strongly about creating something that is of high quality and sustainable so that customers are buying a product that is made to last,” says Sarah.
Rachel, a qualified primary school teacher with a degree in visual arts and Sarah, a qualified veterinarian, both came to their individual business ideas while in the throes of new motherhood. Launching Glasshouse Terrariums just a year ago, Sarah’s business has been a success – you can see her wares in person at Melbourne’s upcoming Finders Keepers Market in July of this year. Since leaving teaching behind, Rachel has developed a career as a practicing artist, held several exhibitions over the last couple of years and released a range of handcrafted homewares too.
Melbourne-based botanical wares studio IVY MUSE today launched Nightshade, their second collection of limited edition plant stands, and here’s a first look at them. To celebrate the follow-up to their inaugural collection in October, they commissioned renowned local ceramicist Ingrid Tufts to produce an exclusive range of pots to complement them.
Nightshade draws its inspiration from the simplicity of a winter sunset, with a pared back aesthetic and focus on intense colour. Each design is available in black and white, plus a limited edition colour unique to that design; Navy (Quay), Electric Blue (Arrow), Blush Clay (Empire) and Frost (Chrysalis).
Nightshade includes two smaller stands (Chrysalis and Quay) for pots to sit on (and in the Chrysalis) as well as two taller stands (Empire and Arrow). As with the previous collection, each IVY MUSE stand was designed to allow the customer maximum flexibility and creativity in the many ways they can house plants, and are suitable for a variety of pot sizes and shapes.
Tufts’ handmade limited edition pots are wheel-thrown from beautiful iron-bearing stoneware, then combined with soft pastel glazes to allow the clay to gently reveal its natural character. The pots are available in one size with three colour options (Marshmallow, Peach and Ice Blue).
IVY MUSE is the brainchild of longtime friends Jacqui Vidal and Alana Langan. Jacqui, founder of art retailer Signed & Numbered, together with Alana, interior stylist and owner of online boutique Hunt & Bow, launched the business with a mission to produce beautiful, functional stands that encourage people to get creative with their greenery.
Designed by Jacqui and Alana, the stands are made from steel — for durability and strength — then powder-coated to add beautiful colour and a perfect finish. They are made from start to finish in Melbourne.
The stands retail for $170 and can be purchased online or from over 20 stockists across Australia. The pots are also available online. International shipping also available.
The very stylish Hannah Burgess is a former criminologist with a house full of plants who started her own business selling succulents as mail order gifts. Her foray into the trendy houseplants started simply when she bought her first succulent for her new home. “One succulent, soon turned to 10 and suddenly, I found myself obsessed by them,” she says.
This sparked an idea for a business and she spent 18 months developing Say It With Succulents, going back to uni to study project management. Eventually she left her job to focus full-time on launching the brand in February.
Light
