Tag: houseplants

The houseplants trending in 2022 and how to care for them

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date March 14, 2022
No Comments on The houseplants trending in 2022 and how to care for them

Melissa King, Better Homes and Gardens presenter and Scotts Osmocote ambassador, shares her horticultural wisdom!

#SentimentalPlants

It’s not surprising that in this day and age we get a bit sentimental about the good old days and that sentiment is spreading to our indoor plant collections. Retro indoor plants like Ferns and Hoyas are making a big comeback.

Nothing brings a classic feeling to the home quite like the Boston Fern, which continues to hog the limelight in 2022. And for good reason. It is tough and beautiful, without the finicky growing requirements of some ferns and the arching green foliage brings instant lushness to a space. The Blue Star Fern (Phlebodium aurea) is another variety that’s taking centre stage, grown for its attractive elongated fronds and lovely blue green foliage colour. It thrives in low light conditions and is relatively easy care. Look out for Phlebodium ‘Davana’, a relative newcomer, with unique crimped foliage, which is already making waves.

Hoyas are another nostalgic choice, with their beautiful clusters of waxy blooms, and perfect for a well-lit spot indoors. We’ve got a better choice of varieties than Grandma ever had! Keep an eye out for forms with stunning variegated, speckled or heart shaped foliage.

#ToughandEasy

Whether you’re an indoor plant newbie or a masterful collector there is a trend towards growing house plants that look good but don’t take a lot of work. So low-maintenance beauties have stepped into the limelight.

The Fishbone Cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger) is a hit overseas and Aussie plant lovers are catching on too. Attractive zig-zag shaped stems, intensely fragrant flowers and fleshy foliage combine to make this low-maintenance beauty next on our indoor plant hit list. And if you’re new to growing indoor plants, you can’t go past Peperomia Happy Bean (Peperomia ferreyrae). It is robust, beautiful and can withstand neglect, while you’re learning the ropes, and the bright green foliage looks just like little green beans.

Chain of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii) has been hanging around in the background waiting for its time to shine and 2022 could be it. You’ll fall in love with the long chains of succulent heart-shaped purple and green foliage on this tough trailing plant, perfect for the floor to ceiling look. Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera) is also set to be a winner this year, for its unique foliage, trailing habit and easy-care nature. It doesn’t like to be overwatered, so don’t kill it with love. It looks stunning spilling out of hanging baskets or cascading from a high shelf.

And here’s one to put on your hot list of virtually unkillable plants. Anyone who has ever grown Sansevieria trifasciata, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or snake plant, will tell you just how robust it is. And striking too, with tall, sharp, variegated foliage that brings architectural beauty to any room.

#PlantPersonality

Indoor plant aficionados that have mastered the urban jungle look with myriad shades of green are now moving on to more unusual choices. White to gold variegation and all manner of coloured foliage hold a special fascination because of the contrasts and variations they bring to a room.

Among the loveliest of the variations are those in shades of pink, like Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ with splashes of lipstick pink foliage or Caladium ‘Strawberry Star’ with almost transparent, pink, white and green foliage. Others bring pure wow factor to room with their sheer size and unique foliage like Monstera ‘Thai Constellation’, which has captured the indoor plant world with its big, bold foliage and striking white variegation or Philodendron ‘White Knight’, which given room to grow and a support to climb will make an eye-catching specimen. People’s interests are also being drawn to rare tropical beauties like the stunning Alocasia ‘Maharani’, the Grey Dragon plant, because let’s face it we all want to have success growing something no one else has.

General Indoor Plant Care Tips:

Don’t over water: Wilting can be a sign of over or under watering, so before you get out the watering can do the finger test. Place your finger into the potting mix, if it’s dry down to your second knuckle then give your plants a drink.

Highlight your plant’s best angles: Not all plants have the same lighting requirements and some need more than others, so make sure to research what level of light your plants require. A good rule to live by is, if it is too dark in the room to read a book, it is generally too dark for indoor plants to reside in.

Give your indoor plants some TLC: Give the leaves a regular wipe down with a moist cloth to prevent an accumulation of dust on the leaves or pop your indoor plants in the shower from time to time to remove any build up and make them look healthy and shiny. You might also like to give tropical loving house plants a lift by misting the foliage with water to increase humidity and help keep them happy.

Scotts Osmocote present this year’s Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, from 30 March to 3 April at The Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens.

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…

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Tags houseplants, indoor plants plant care tips, plants, trendy houseplants

Bathrooms Expert Tips Homewares Shopping

Nature Style: the new book about styling with houseplants for wellbeing

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date September 1, 2021
No Comments on Nature Style: the new book about styling with houseplants for wellbeing

The following is an extract from the new book Nature Style, by Alana Langan of Melbourne botanical wares brand Ivy Muse. It’s out later this month.

If you’re like us and have young children, the bathroom might be the one place at home where you can catch a moment to yourself. (Well, sometimes at least!) Here we can restore internal harmony with quiet contemplation and invigorate ourselves, gathering up our reserves for another day in the world. This space is home to some of our most precious wellbeing rituals and plays an important role in a biophilic home. The bathroom is often the smallest and most plainly decorated room in a house, but there are still ways to make it biophilia-friendly without resorting to a complete overhaul.

Houseplants

When it comes to adding greenery to a home, the bathroom should not be overlooked because it’s actually the perfect habitat for indoor plants. Bathrooms provide a warm, humid environment, which mimics the more tropical conditions where the vast majority of indoor plants originate. Finicky indoor plants like ferns are at home here, as are other moisture-loving plants. Common complaints such as fronds with brown, dried tips suddenly become a thing of the past. An added bonus is that plant care becomes a breeze. Simply place your plants in the sink or bath (or taller plants under the shower) for a thorough drenching.

Common concerns like a bathroom with little natural light can be overcome by selecting the right plant from the get-go. A striking Zanzibar gem will thrive in low-light environments and welcome the humidity. A tiny bathroom? Get creative with your use of space. Why not perch a potted plant on a shelf, hang a planter above the bath or simply place a moisture-loving air plant in your shower accessories cavity? Even the smallest touch of greenery will add softness and warmth.

With all their hard surfaces, bathrooms can be stark and sterile in contrast to other rooms, as they are usually devoid of soft furnishings other than a towel or two. Plants can make a real difference, softening the look and feel and ultimately making it a more appealing place to be. Layer the plant life using small plants like hoya on vanities or windowsills, and add bigger options like umbrella trees in plant stands or rubber plants on the floor. If you can fit in a kentia palm or other tall tree like a fiddle leaf fig, go for it – they really help create a luxurious sanctuary vibe.

The big stuff

First up, assess. Where can you add layers, warmth and depth? Modern bathrooms often have clean straight lines so try to mix up the shapes and textures and lean towards organic, curvy forms that reflect those found in nature and that offer contrast. It’s worth focusing efforts on elements that can be retrofitted into your bathroom without too much trouble.

Take a moment to check out your vanity. If it’s constructed from synthetic materials can you replace the top with a more sensual, natural surface like marble or timber? How about the cabinetry? Can it be painted or sanded back to its original state, or new doors or pulls added instead?

Paint is a quick and relatively easy option to update walls and the ceiling. You can even paint the tiles if you’re feeling daring, but make sure you choose tile paint which is purpose-made. Wall treatments including washable wallpaper could be a possibility, depending on how the home and room is decorated already. For example, adding cedar panels to a 70s bathroom could look great. Not only will it fit with the style of the era but the fragrant smell will engage your senses and increase the biophilic effect in the room.

Wall adornments that can withstand bathroom condensation are a big yes too. Think about handmade ceramic sculptures, round or oval mirrors or art made from woven eco-materials such as grasses.

Furniture options in the bathroom are sometimes limited, but even the smallest spaces can benefit from a stool. Try timber for its durability, wondrous feel and scent. We love solid timber or cork stools in particular. They’re a great way to add a sculptural chunk of the outdoors inside. In large bathrooms that can accommodate extra items of furniture – a chair or freestanding cabinet, for instance – choose pieces that include biophilic elements like timber and stone.

And remember, even the smallest touches can have a big impact. A cedar bath mat, for example, is functional and represents a strong connection to nature. It also smells great!

The small details

Choose sensual textures for the bathroom that really engage the senses. Start with quality towels. Natural fibres like Egyptian cotton or linen are the most tactile and comforting – and well worth the splurge in our opinion. Linen and cotton towelling also make great bathrobes.

Scent plays a big role in the bathroom. Be aware of the presence of artificial fragrances and pungent chemicals in your personal care and bathroom cleaning products. Try to use natural and plant-based formulations where possible – the aroma is usually more subtle and reflective of what you might experience outdoors.

Ideally, bathroom surfaces should be styled for functionality, but always make room for at least one or two plants. They provide a pleasant biophilic view while you’re taking a bath or shower.

–Nature Style: Cultivating Wellbeing at Home with Plants by Alana Langan and Jacqui Vidal with photography by Annette O’Brien published by Thames & Hudson. $34.99. Available later this month. Pre-order here.

Buy houseplants online: 50+ Australian sites

Across the country, people seem to be honing their green fingers as we all get used to the idea of staying home. And it’s not just in the garden either.…

Latest Ivy Muse ‘Celestial’ collection inspired by the stars

Melbourne-based botanical wares studio Ivy Muse has launched Celestial, its latest collection of locally designed botanical wares inspired by the stars. Showcasing shimmering colours and uplifting shades, Celestial encourages plant-lovers…

Tags Biophilic design, houseplants, indoor plants, plants in bathrooms

Decorating 101 Homewares Shopping

Latest Ivy Muse ‘Celestial’ collection inspired by the stars

Post author By Yuri Nagata
Post date August 27, 2021
1 Comment on Latest Ivy Muse ‘Celestial’ collection inspired by the stars

Melbourne-based botanical wares studio Ivy Muse has launched Celestial, its latest collection of locally designed botanical wares inspired by the stars.

Showcasing shimmering colours and uplifting shades, Celestial encourages plant-lovers to look to the stars for a fresh perspective whilst offering them new ways to showcase their leafy friends.

“Given the current climate with so many people isolating at home, we wanted to encourage everyone to take a step back and look at the bigger picture,” says Alana Langan, co-founder of Ivy Muse. “We also wanted to inspire people to make the most of greenifying their space and really connect with nature at home – and have a little fun while doing it.”

The collection features 10 Melbourne-made botanical wares including plant stakes, pots, ceramics and plant stands including the Gemini plant stake and four brand new limited edition colours; Champagne, Cinnamon, Halcyon and Sherbet.

The popular Chubby planters and matching plant stands are now available in two brand new limited edition colours; Sherbet and Halcyon.

The Lily planter and T-Bar Hanger have also been reimagined in limited edition Cinnamon, whilst the Hourglass Plant Pedestal is now available in limited edition Champagne.

Rounding out the collection are the popular powder-coated steel plant stakes Dot, Loop and Peacock. Perfect for taming wild plants like monstera deliciosa and philodendrons, they are now available in two new limited edition colours, Sherbet and Halcyon.

Ivy Muse wares can be purchased directly via their website

New Ivy Muse botanical wares range inspired by the 70’s

Further cementing their prominent position within the Australian indoor plant scene, the latest outing from Ivy Muse ‘Playback’ features eight fabulous new pieces including plant hangers, plant sconces, ceramics, stands…

Tags botanical wares, ceramics, houseplants, ivy muse, melbourne, plant stakes, plant stands, planters, pot plant stands, pot plants

Expert Tips Homewares Shopping

Houseplant tips for new plant parents who like a clean home

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date August 9, 2021
No Comments on Houseplant tips for new plant parents who like a clean home

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.

Tags house plants, houseplants, indoor plant pots, indoor plant tips, plant parents

Expert Tips Outdoor & Exteriors

Houseplants online: how to buy and sell them on Gumtree

Post author By Skye Viviers
Post date October 15, 2020
No Comments on 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, and often seen styled beautifully on social media, cultivating your own indoor jungle oasis can seem daunting.

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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Tags gumtree, house plants, houseplants, indoor plants, online marketplace, plants

Expert Tips

Bringing nature inside during a lockdown

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date May 26, 2020
1 Comment on Bringing nature inside during a lockdown

By Koraly Fasone

It’s no secret that Australians love being outdoors and among nature, so spending so much more time indoors right now (due to Covid restrictions and the colder weather) can be very challenging. We’ve pulled together some of our top tips to help you survive this difficult time, while we swap the beach for the bedroom, and the outdoors for the office.

Breathe life into your space with indoor plants

If you can’t go outside, why not bring it to you and accessorise your home with plants? Indoor plants are great for de-stressing your space and purifying the air around the home. There are so many low maintenance varieties readily available and they can be seamlessly blended with a mix of artificial plants to reduce your everyday maintenance even further. Mix and match your pots to suit the décor in your home, blend textures with patterns and even add a pop of colour.

If possible, add hanging pots to corners of rooms, this is a great way of softening harsh corners, a stylish alternative to artwork, and a great tool to save on floor space! Indoor plants can become main features in your home and create another layer of personality to any space.

The power of flowers

Floral arrangements can work to dress up any room within the home and can also be tailored to match your own personal style. Blending fresh floral with natural greenery from your garden is a great way to compliment the colours of your blooms and creates another layer of texture to any arrangement. Use your favourite vases, jars, jugs or vessels throughout the home and move these around the space daily for a different look and feel.

Make the most of natural light & ventilation

When spending increased time indoors, it’s important to make the most of the natural light that your home gets throughout the day. Start the day with opening up blinds and windows and let the light and fresh air flood through your space. Be sure your home office set up provides enough natural light to work comfortably throughout the working day and make sure you move around during the day, follow the sun and soak up that precious vitamin D.

Introduce a nursery in the kitchen

Go greener at home by growing your own herbs for cooking. Not only will this save you money and reduce supermarket visits, but you will be doing your bit for the environment and cultivating something fresh within your home. Herbs such as Basil, Chives, Coriander, Mint and Parsley are just a few options that are easy to grow at home. They always smell great and will make a great addition to your favourite dishes.

Mirror Mirror

Introducing mirrors into your living areas will create the illusion of more space. Creative positioning can even maximise your connection to the outdoors. For example, place a mirror next to your window to reflect the beautiful tree outside or continue the feel of your garden indoors. Mirrors are also a great tool to bounce natural light around your home and allow your communal areas to feel lighter and brighter.

–Koraly Fasone is lead interior designer for Porter Davis Homes, who were awarded Australian Professional House Builder of the Year in 2019, and a further five times in their 20-year history.

Houseplants: winter care tips to keep them thriving

Tags bringing nature inside, bringing the outside in, houseplants, indoor outdoor living, indoor plants

Expert Tips

Houseplants: winter care tips to keep them thriving!

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date May 22, 2020
1 Comment on Houseplants: winter care tips to keep them thriving!

For some us, our indoor plants are one of the few living things we’ve been interacting with while we’ve been staying indoors, and boy do we adore them!

#plantsofinstagram has been used a huge 5.2 million times on Instagram and #plantstagram 1.5 million times! There’s no doubt this trend is here to stay and the social network is helping connect people all over the world who are just as passionate about their plant pals!

*Lauren Camilleri (left) and Sophia Kaplan of Leaf Supply. Photo by Luisa Brimble.*

You may not realise, but as we head into the start of winter we need to make some adjustments to the way we care for our indoor plants. So whether you have five or 55, here are Leaf Supply’s top tips for nurturing your loved ones during the colder months:

1. Reassess your plant placement – in winter the sun sits much lower in the sky and as such light moves through our spaces differently. In order to maximise the light reaching your indoor plants in winter you may need to do some shuffling to get your plant pals closer to the light source. Using plant stands and shelving can help give plants a better view of those precious rays.

2. Stop fertilising – if you’re a diligent plant parent who has been giving their indoor jungle a regular feed through the warmer months, now’s the time to give yourself and your plant a little break. Many plants have a period of dormancy during the colder seasons and can’t effectively use the extra nutrients they get from fertilisers, which cause a harmful build up instead.

3. Reduce watering – lower temperatures and generally lower light means plants will take longer to dry out. Many tropical foliage plants like the top two-to-five centimetres of their potting mix to dry out between watering. Continue to check the soil of your plants every five days or so, if it’s dry you can water but if it’s still wet give it a little longer. And don’t forget to empty the saucers under your plants around 30 mins after watering to ensure they aren’t sitting in stagnant water.

4. Look out for pests – some of our indoor plants, particularly those tropical beauties, can suffer during winter and struggling plants are susceptible to pests and disease. Check on them regularly, looking carefully over leaves (front and back) to catch any issues early before they take hold. If you do find a sick plant, quarantine it from the rest of your collection while you treat it to avoid infestation.

5. Don’t forget about humidity and ventilation – while we’re bunkering down with the heaters going, the already dry air in our homes can become even more so. Be sure to keep plants away from heaters and consider using a humidifier while you have the hot air pumping. Your plants will also appreciate fresh air so try and crack a window when you can.

Leaf Supply deliver indoor potted plants straight to your door. Follow them on Instagram for more tips!

The new ‘it’ plant and how to style with houseplants

Photography: Lauren Camilleri

Tags houseplant tips, houseplants, houseplants winter, indoor plants, leaf supply, planstagram, plantsofinstagram, winter houseplants

Expert Tips Outdoor & Exteriors

Buy houseplants online: 50+ Australian sites

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date April 8, 2020
No Comments on Buy houseplants online: 50+ Australian sites

Across the country, people seem to be honing their green fingers as we all get used to the idea of staying home. And it’s not just in the garden either. Houseplants have never been more popular, but now we’re supposed to stay home unless we need essentials, how can we get our green fix?

The answer is online, and this is no longer a niche market. There are plenty of places to buy your pathos, fiddle leaf or monstera on the internet, you just need to know where to look.

Popular Aussie plant influencer Lush Little Jungle (Rachel Smiles) has composed a list of more than 50 places to buy plants online and is sharing them in one easy to access document!

So whether you’re looking to make your Zoom background look a little more aesthetically pleasing, you want to add life and air-purifying goodness to your surroundings, you want to support local businesses or all of the above, we have you covered!

Here’s the Google Sheet with all the details.

Never bought plants online before and a bit nervous? Read Rachel’s top tips. | Follow Lush Little Jungle on Instagram