Carefully selected and positioned indoor plants can create fabulous interest and texture. We round up 8 lush plants you need in your home
8 of the best indoor plants to make a statement in your home
Large indoor plants or trees – such as this Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’ (above left) and fiddle-leaf fig – make a statement with their unexpected proportions. They can be used to split an open layout into two zones or hide an unattractive feature.
Positioning a large plant near a mirror will amplify its effect. Pictured above in the background, trailing Scindapsus Pictus (above right) draws the eye upwards, making the most of this tall space.
An indoor plant that can grow to great heights is the lady palm (Rhapis excelsa – pictured above right). It grows from multiple stems which split into fan-like segments. It can tolerate dappled light or lightly shaded rooms. It needs to be in a free-draining pot and liberally watered during the summer with reduced watering in winter.
Here two weeping figs (Ficus Benjamina) create an impressive floor-to-ceiling feature, endowing the space with natural texture and height. They provide an unexpected touch of nature in this industrial-style kitchen. Weeping figs need a bright room and consistent moisture. They also benefit from plenty of fertiliser.
The Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) is a popular choice for bringing a dramatic taste of the tropics indoors. Under the right conditions it will grow into a magnificent statement plant up to 3m tall.
Try to avoid placing the palm in an area with too much traffic as this can damage its foliage. Kentia palms should be kept moist during the summer with reduced winter watering, and can be kept in a spot that receives indirect sunlight.
Dried sticks placed among the lush, green leaves of the tree philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum, also called P. selloum) create a lovely contrast. This easy-care plant is happy in low light with fortnightly watering. Keep leaves free of dust to maintain health and gloss.
Choose a plant with textural foliage to make a statement. In this bedroom, the soft, fluffy fronds of an asparagus fern (Asparagus aethiopicus) contrast with the rough-sawn timber feature wall.This plant grows best in bright, indirect light and enjoys being misted to provide humidity. Allow the soil in the pot to dry out between waterings.
Plants don’t need to be large or expensive to make a statement. By choosing foliage that contrasts with your decor you can create an effective focal point. Positioning a plant with bright green foliage in a neutral space, for example, makes a plant stand out, such as the baby’s tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) in this lounge setting, above. Keep the soil of this plant lightly moistened and in indirect light.
Photography by: Ryan McQuerry.
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