Whether you’re looking to have cleaner air in your home or if you purely love them for aesthetic reasons, house plants make for the perfect decorative accent. If you are wanting to add more life into your home, here is a guide to some of the most popular Aussie house plants and how to keep them alive and healthy!
First things first, you need to find the perfect pot to plant your new pride and joy in. At the moment, Pinterest boards and Instagram feeds alike are being taken over with trendy pots to compliment all interiors from eclectic to coastal. When looking for pots, try and find something that has good drainage to stop root rot (plants don’t like having ‘wet feet’). If you find a pot that has good drainage you will be able to plant directly into the pot – this is where plant pot saucers come in handy to catch any excess water and stop potential staining! The alternative is that you keep the plant in the plastic pot you buy them with, take them outside to water them and put them back after excess water has drained out. Now its time to pick your plant!
Fiddle leaf Fig
Its highly likely you have seen one of these on social media because right now, they are the most popular houseplants in the world! Known for their large leaves and bright green colour, fiddle leaf’s are easy to keep alive but require specific conditions to look their best!
They grow best in a well lit area and only require watering occasionally. To check if your fiddle leaf needs a drink, test the soil with your finger. If it feels damp at all don’t water it again until it has completely dried out.
String of Pearls
The string of pearls make for the perfect shelf accessory. Although very pretty, they are as temperamental as they are beautiful. Drainage is especially important for this plant and they do best in indirect sunlight.
Nursery’s often sell immature versions if you are willing to help it grow, but established plants can be found through growers online.
Mother In Laws Tongue
You might have seen this plant in your local café. A distant relative of the humble asparagus, this is a great one if you are looking for something that looks great but is also hardy and won’t wilt if it misses a water. These come in different sizes but can reach up to 3-4 feet! They are also easy to grow and you’ll have no problems finding them either in a nursery, home wears store or online.
String of Hearts
If you’re looking to bring a little more love into your life the string of hearts is perfect to proudly hang above your kitchen! Best in a bright sunny location and not overwatered. When happy and healthy, a string of heart tendril can grow up to 4 meters long, making it perfect to hang. It is best to avoid the bathroom or laundry though as they prefer dryer air.
Peace Lily
Recently featured by NASA as one of the top air purifying plants, peace lily’s have long been an Aussie household plant favourite. They bloom best in bright light and only need to be watered once a week during spring/summer and even less during the winter months. They dislike soggy/wet soil and are prone to root rot so it’s very important not to overwater them.It is also important to regularly wipe dust off the leaves of the Peace Lily to prevent any build up.