Lately, humble houseplants are garnering a lot more attention than ever. magazines are filled with fiddle leaf figs and Pinterest is brimming with do-it-yourself terrarium projects. Australian boutique owner and author Bree Claffey is fascinated with how plants can minimize stress, purify the air and connect communities. Bree’s Melbourne shop, Mr Kitly, is stocked with elegant stands and self-watering pots made by local artisans (including her own dad). She even uses ‘Plant Consultations’! In her first book, indoor Green: Living With Plants, Bree explores our desire to bring the outdoors in and reveals the best houseplants to try in your own home.
Fiddle leaf figs are one of the most popular houseplants ideal now. When choosing the right plant for your home it’s crucial to consider size, shape, texture and color, and to read the label to see if the plant’s needs match up with your home environment. along with watering, fiddle leaf figs need regular misting and to have their leaves cleaned occasionally.
Care tip: “Once it finds a spot it likes, a good idea is not to step it,” says Bree.
This converted mattress factory in Melbourne houses a variety of rhipsalis and hoya, which both like bright light and a limited amount of water. On top of two colorful milk crates, an indoor elephant ear enjoys indirect sunlight.
Care tip: Elephant ears are tropical plants, so using a humidifier in your room is a good idea.
Devil’s ivy totem is a terrific plant to tuck in a corner, so long as it gets enough sunlight. It can be placed on a shelf where it will trail over, or can be taught to stand upright with a stake. “It’s one of the most versatile and forgiving plants,” notes Bree.
Care tip: “Brown spots on leaves indicate it is being kept too cold and over-watered. Vines with very long gaps between leaves normally lack appropriate light,” says Bree.
A pony tail palm (pictured on the left behind the chair) is one of the easiest indoor plants to care for because it can tolerate periods of neglect. It originates from the desert and can store water in the base of its trunk. textile artist Shabd Simon-Alexander has a pony tail palm and plants of all sizes in her Brooklyn loft.
Care tip: “Over-watering is the primary way to kill pony tail palms,” says Bree. during hot, dry weather, water once every three weeks.
Shabd’s ficus alii leans over a pile of her textiles and needs strong support. sunlight can also help your plants stand tall. “They just want to get as close to it as possible, so positioning and turning your pots frequently helps them stand up straight,”says Shabd.
Care tip: If you notice the leaves of your ficus alii dropping it may be too close to your heating or cooling vents, or you may be over-watering it.
Australian designers Mary and grant Featherston’s home takes loving houseplants to a whole other level. internal gardens are grown on different levels and wax plants climb a wall next to a small indoor pond.
Care tip: You can keep wax plants in the same pot for years because they don’t mind being root-bound.
The Featherston’s have a dining area overlooking their indoor pond. Ferns, creeping moss, fruit salad plants and calathea grow happily in the moist environment. The calathea’s variegated white leaves add graphic contrast to the green space.
Care tip: Calatheas like distilled water that’s been sitting out. try watering them with leftover water from beside your bed in the morning.
Jewelry designer Anny Postolidis uses plant stands and hangingKorgar för att visa krukväxter i olika höjder i hennes Melbourne -studio. Maidenhair och Boston Ferns (bild på stativ och hängande från taket här) är populära val men kan vara lite temperamentsfulla. “Vattna dem varje dag med ett fullt glas vatten och dimma deras blad med några dagar,” föreslår Anny.
Vårdtips: “Om du vill att din Boston-ormbunke ska fortsätta att bli större, ta om det vartannat till två år på våren,” säger Bree.
Om du har en krukväxt (som fruktsalladanläggningen som visas här) och är orolig för att dess rötter växer ut ur potten och ser fula ut, inte. “Flygrötter är ett tecken på en glad och frisk växt,” säger Bree.
Vårdtips: Att sätta en fruktsalladväxt på en hög bokhylla gör att rötterna kan hänga fritt.
Husägare i detta duschrum övervägde att använda botaniska tapeter i deras badrum, men de kunde inte bestämma det perfekta mönstret. Istället satte de en Heartleaf Philodendron längst ner på en vägg och sex år senare klättrade den uppåt väggen och bildar en levande tapet.
Vårdtips: “Gula blad är vanligtvis symptomet på övervattning och bruna kanter kan vara ett tecken på brännande,” säger Bree.
