From purifying the air you breathe to positively impacting your mental well-being, indoor plants are the perfect addition to any home or office.
We’ve discovered the most popular indoor plants and the best ways to care for them. Read our article to find out more.
Plus, you can see our happy indoor plant selection for yourself when you visit your nearest All Green garden centre. Speak to one of our expert horticulturists about our wide range of indoor plants.
Popular stand-alone indoor plants
Calathea
Also known as the Zebra plant, this is one of the most popular indoor plants in Melbourne — their striking green, cream and purple leaves create a beautiful focal point in any interior. Calatheas are easy to look after and are perfect if you lead a busy lifestyle.
- Placement: The Calathea needs to be near light but not in direct sunlight, so install yours away from windows. This species grows best in indirect sunlight.
- Watering: This tropical plant’s needs change with the seasons. In winter, don’t water it too often. Either spritz the leaves with room temperature water or let the top 2.5 centimetres of the soil dry out before watering. In summer, water frequently enough that the soil is always slightly moist.
- Special tips: If kept in dry conditions (such as an office in winter), these plants can be prone to attacks from mites and scale. Prevent these pests by sprinkling a layer of Searles Derris Dust over the leaves and the base. Derris Dust is an organic insecticide that is low toxicity for both you and your plant.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
The Fiddle Leaf Fig has become synonymous with interior design. This is partly because of the plant's beautiful lush leaves and low-maintenance nature.
- Placement: Fiddle Leaf Figs prefer bright, filtered light so keep yours near a sunny window, preferably east-facing if possible.
- Watering: The most common mistake people make when caring for this plant is overwatering it. Allow the soil to dry out completely between each watering to avoid root rot.
- Special tip: If you plan to grow your Fiddle Leaf Fig tree, we have a range of stakes in our shop that will help guide and support it.
Popular hanging plants
Spider Plant
Some varieties of this plant feature long, thin green leaves and others grow green leaves variegated with white. They don’t like too much water or too little, so they are the perfect candidates for hanging pots. They rate in the mid-to-high maintenance category, purely due to the fact that they need more watering than stand-alone potted plants.
- Placement: Keep your Spider Plant in a spot that has access to natural light while taking care to make sure it doesn’t experience direct sunlight.
- Watering: When growing yours from a seedling, water only occasionally but once the plant is fully established, you’ll need to water it more often. Like most indoor plants, check the top layer of soil. If it’s dry, this is a good indication to water until the top layer remains moist to the touch.
- Special tip: Spider Plants can grow rapidly and easily become pot bound. This means you’ll need to repot and/or divide them about once a year.
Kokedama
Stemming from the ancient art of Japanese bonsai gardening, kokedama are hanging moss balls featuring a small plant that sprouts at the top. You can either buy your own kokedama or make your own. These plants can be hard to keep alive but are worth the effort. There is no hanging plant more unique than the kokedama!
- Placement: The placement of your moss ball depends on which kind of plant it features. For instance, if you have a fern kokedama, you’ll want to place in a position which achieves plenty of natural light. If you have a philodendron variety, you’ll need to place it away from direct sunlight.
- Watering: The best way to water a kokedama is to soak it. Fill a bowl with room temperature water and submerge your plant. Leave it to soak for around 10-25 minutes, or until fully saturated with water. In addition to soaking, the plant in your kokedama moss ball needs regular misting.
- Special tip: To help your kokedama thrive, you should add a water-soluble fertisliser when you soak your moss ball. You can do this as little as twice a year or as often as once a week, depending on how much and how fast you want your plant to grow.
Other popular indoor plant varieties
While we’ve gone into detail about some of the most popular indoor plants, there are still plenty out there on the market that are just as beautiful and could be a great addition to your indoor space.
Among these, the following are particularly sought after for their ease of care, aesthetic appeal, and air-purifying qualities:
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata): Known for its resilience and air-purifying properties, the snake plant is an excellent choice for beginners.
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia): Loved for its glossy, dark green foliage and low maintenance requirements, the ZZ plant is perfect for adding a touch of green to any indoor space.
- Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum): A versatile and forgiving plant, pothos is admired for its trailing vines and air-purifying capabilities.
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): With its elegant white blooms and ability to thrive in low light, peace lilies are a favourite for brightening up indoor spaces.
- Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica): Appreciated for its large, glossy leaves, the rubber plant adds a bold statement to any indoor space.
- Philodendron: With a variety of species to choose from, philodendrons are valued for their lush foliage and adaptability to different light conditions.
- Aloe Vera: Known not only for its medicinal properties but also for its striking deep green appearance and minimal care requirements, making it a popular choice among indoor gardeners.
- Chinese Money Plant (Pilea Peperomioides): Recognised for its unique coin-shaped leaves and easy propagation, the Chinese money plant has surged in popularity in recent years.
From indoor pot plants and hanging plants to landscape and lawn advice, visit us in-store at our local garden centre for all your gardening needs.
