Horticulturalist Ryan McQuerry shows us how to choose the right indoorplants to bring the luscious look of the tropics into our homes or workplace
How to create your own little jungle with these lush indoor plants
Tropical-looking indoor plants are back in fashion in a big way. If you want to create a tropical paradise inside your home or workplace, focus on grouping the correct types of foliage together. Pay particular attention to the colour, texture and shape of the foliage, then arrange similar plants together for a lush and exotic look.
Tropical plants typically have large, luscious, green foliage or a spot of vibrant colour. It’s the mix of foliage that really creates the tropical vibe, so aim at grouping two, three or five plants together to get the desired look.
The perfect plants
The list below is a selection of my favourite tropical-looking plants. I usually stay away from most of the over-used palm trees, however Kentia palms (Howea forsteriana) and Rhapis excelsa are two exceptions. They don’t grow too big too quickly and are fairly low-maintenance.
My two top plants in this look are Monstera deliciosa and Strelitzia nicolai. Everyone wants a Monstera deliciosa at the moment so they’re very hard to obtain. If you know someone who has one, ask if you can cut a small piece off the plant (with a bit of root on it) and grow it yourself – it’s very easy to grow.
+ Strelitzia nicolai
+ Tradescantia zebrina
+ Monstera deliciosa
+ Philodendron xanadu
+ Philodendron cordatum
+ Howea forsteriana (Kentia palm)
+ Rhapis excelsa
+ Scindapsus pictus
+ Ficus ‘Black Knight’
+ Asplenium nidus
+ Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Words by: Ryan McQuerry. Photography by: Helen Bankers.
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Horticulturalist Ryan Mcquerry shows us how to choose the right plants to add a lush tropical-look to your home.
Clockwise from tall plant in centre: Strelitzia nicolai, ficus ‘Black Knight’, Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’ (peace lily; far right), Asplenium nidus, Philodendron xanadu (far left) and Howea forsteriana (Kentia palm).
Left to right: Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’ (large peace lily), Scindapsus pictus (satin pothos) and Zamioculcas zamiifolia.
The foliage of this Kentia palm and rubber plant make a great contrast.
The rubber plant, or ficus ‘Black Knight’, has striking, shiny, dark foliage.
Monstera deliciosa (fruit salad plant) casts a lovely shadow on the wall.
Asplenium nidus looks great in a grouping or on its own.
Assorted tropical foliage.
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