Indoor plants are all the rage, and it’s easy to see why. They promise to bring a slice of nature into our urban lives, brightening up offices and bedrooms alike with living greenery.
They also appeal to a wide range of people, with many people picking up an indoor plant where they would previously have had no interest in gardening.
But many would-be indoor gardeners can run into problems with their indoor jungle. It can be pretty demoralising when your indoor jungle turns into a sick ward, despite all your good intentions. While there are various factors that can influence the success of growing indoor plants, a big one that’s easy to get right is plant choice. Not everything on offer at the nursery is suited to beginner growers, so it’s best to stick to some surefire, time-tested picks to make sure they last the distance. Here are some picks that can handle just about anything, and are sure to turn even the blackest thumb green.
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum cv)
One of the first challenges with indoor plants beginners face is knowing when to water. Many plants don’t show any obvious signs when they’re not getting enough (or worse, too much) water before it’s too late.
Enter the peace lily. This plant will visibly droop when it’s time for a drink. Although dramatic, it’s an easy cue for beginners to follow; don’t water until it does this. If you can follow this cue, this plant will be happy in even high levels of shade provided there’s some natural light. It will reward you wil large, glossy leaves that would feel at home in a thriving jungle.
Snake plant (Sansevieria cv)
Snake plants are one of the easiest indoor plants to grow as they require very little attention once established. The ultimate survivors, these plants grow from underground ‘rhizomes’; special storage organs used to stash energy and water for tough times. This means they can take a real beating.
While they can grow in poor light, snake plants perform best in bright, indirect light where they grow faster with enhanced foliage colours. Avoid hot direct sunlight as the leaves can scorch and burn at the edges.
It’s important to not over-water as this will lead to rot developing. Over-waterers can build in an insurance policy by potting them in succulent potting mix with enhanced drainage. Snake plants will slow their growth over the cooler season, and so need less water.
Variegated devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum cv)
People go mad for variegated indoor plants, and a lot of them can be quite expensive as a result. But there’s a plant that’s dirt cheap, readily available, easy to grow and visually striking. Cultivars of epipremnum (‘devil’s ivy’) are a dime a dozen at nurseries. They’re reliable, and are typically grown as hanging or trailing plants.
Epipremnum are a great beginner indoor plant. They’ll grow best in a special epiphyte mix with a combination of perlite, orchid bark and regular potting mix-which are all readily available at nurseries. This will give their vigorous roots room to grasp and grow. They can persist a full spectrum of light so will work in those dark corners of the house, but will perform better in an indirect light situation.
They’re also very easy to propagate from cuttings. There’s a variety of cultivars available, from straight green to variegated to neon lime. Perfect for adding some real colour to your burgeoning collection.
ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia cv)
If you’ve been through just about everything on the list and left a trail of carnage in your wake, there’s a fool-proof solution to get every beginner gardener off to a solid start. Zamioculcas zamiifolia or ‘zz plant’ is certified bomb-proof.
With thick, leathery leaves and an underground tuber meaning it can store water, going weeks between waterings. It’ll also take a full range of light, even down to the dimmest corners of your apartment.
You can get it in standard green, double leafed forms or the ‘raven’ variety in a very fashionable black. Set it up in some decent, Australian standard premium potting mix, water once a fortnight and no more, and step back. Congratulations, you’ve done it!
What’s your favourite indoor plant and why? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments section below.
Also read: Go green with a gardenless garden
