It’s not like indoor plants are a new thing. Remember when bonsai plants were the coolest possible present your 10 year old self could imagine, for example? But never before have they been so… fashion. Seriously, plants are now a serious sartorial statement – especially since Instagram‘s made our living space as important style-wise as the threads we wear on our bod.
You’re absolutely across succulents – those were the first to appear on our IG feeds, and remain one of the hardiest, un-kill-able options for sprucing up your humble abode. But what you might not know much about are the fancier, new plant trends. Sure, you’ve seen them around – maybe you went to a housewarming and became drunkenly enamoured with that big, frondy thing your friend had next to their couch, but never found out what kind of plant it actually was.
We’re here to help you out. Here’s the plants you want to know about, if your serious about turning your home into a fashion plant wonderland.
RUBBER PLANT
No, it’s not a fake plant made of rubber. The rubber plant is actually a species of fig, and they’re perfect for the corner of your bedroom or lounge room ‘cos they’re usually pretty large and make a serious statement. These guys need bright light, but don’t like to be in direct sunlight (needy, much?). They also need a balance of water, so try once or twice a week, and a little bit less during winter – if the leaves start to turn yellow or brown, you know you’re overdoing it and should pull back a bit.
PIPER KADSURA
This creeper is originally from India, and as creepers like to do, it’ll grow out of the pot and trail down. This makes it perfect on a plant stand or hanging pot. Like the rubber plant, these guys like sunlight but not direct sunlight, so keeping yours in a well-lit room but not right in front of a window should do the job. They need watering once a week.
EUPHORBIA TRIGONA
Nope, it’s not a cactus. The euphorbia trigona is actually a type of succulent, but it gives off major cactus vibes – just with a bit of a leafy twist. These are bang-on if you want something for your windowsill, or have a room that’s drenched in sunlight, ‘cos they can take the direct rays. They only need watering once a week, making them pretty low maintenance – perfect if you are a constant plant murderer.
FIDDLE LEAF FIG
The absolute darling of Instagrammable plants, the fiddle leaf fig can be found in baby and large versions, so it’s perfect whether you want something for your sideboard or a major statement plant to spice up your room. Annoyingly, these guys are one of the most temperamental plants to own – they love sunlight, but not direct. Their leaves grow toward the light, so rotating every few weeks is necessary. Weekly watering is a good gauge, but the best way to tell is making sure the top layer of soil is dry before watering again. You should also be fertilising once a month, and dusting the leaves (seriously) to help photosynthesis.
MONSTERA DELICIOSA
This striking plant is another beauty popular with the fashion set for decorating their homes, primarily because the large, flat leaves make it really dramatic and suit a minimalist space that needs one, statement feature. Monstera’s really don’t like too much water, so make sure to water only once per week, and check the soil doesn’t stay too moist. It’s also worth checking the saucer if your plant pot sits in one to ensure it doesn’t fill up with water with these plants.
WHITE BIRD OF PARADISE
Often called a ‘banana palm’ – even though it’s not actually a palm – these are well-loved for their large, sparse leaves which sit atop long stems, making them equal parts minimalist and statement. These guys actually love sun, although not all day ideally – avoid a north facing window placement cos they’ll get too much. They need watering only when the top inch of soil becomes dry, and these guys love a feed – fertilising once a month is great.
DEVIL’S IVY
Similar to Piper Kadsura, except with light green leaves that are often speckled with white, Devil’s Ivy is great on a wall shelf, allowing it to trail down the wall. One of the great benefits of Devil’s Ivy is it helps clear air of pollution, so if you live in a city area, it’s a nice one to pop in a room where the windows are often left open. These guys also work well in an office environment, as they grow fine under fluorescents. In general, filtered sunlight is best, and water once a week.
Image: Instagram / @jesselexton.
