Indoor plants

Don’t let these poisonous plants bewitch you Iceland poppy, larkspur, lily of the valley and daphne: all so pretty, but along with dozens of other plants found in our gardens, all toxic to both people and animals. Eating daphne can cause anything from drooling, vomiting, and inflamed kidneys to arrhythmia, seizures, coma and even death. […]

If you didn’t inherit green thumbs or your potted greenery turns brown take heart, Jo Lambell’s got good news for you Yucca Yucca Elephantipes The yucca plant delivers on all fronts – it’s sturdy, resilient and striking. Native to Mexico, the yucca has distinctive sword-like leaves and grows strong, with no need for stakes or […]

Bring the outdoors in this winter with these easy indoor gardening ideas. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you would know that indoor plants are one of the hottest trends in lifestyle and gardening right now. But how do you look after them when the weather turns cold? Self-confessed indoor plant lover, Narelle Van Reyk […]

Whatever your interior design style or horticultural bent there’s an indoor plant to brighten your home. We’ve rounded up 10 of our favourites 1. Palm For its second comeback the kentia has thrown off its ’60s and ’70s connotations of Queen Victoria and the Empire. Now we’re loving it for its tropical elegance. And it […]

Are you leaving it to die or loving it to death? It’s time to take stock of your fiddle leaf fig situation. If you jumped on the trend or simply fell in love with this sculptural green wunderkind to bring it lovingly into your home, you may have discovered by now that the fiddle leaf […]

Perfect your potting skills with our step-by-step guide to repotting a plant If your fiddle leaf fig has outgrown its pot you may be wondering how to repot a pot plant without disturbing its growth. Firstly, don’t be too worried about hurting your plants; they’re stronger than you think. Secondly, if you don’t repot your […]

After downsizing from a high-maintenance home to a sunny pre-designed new-build across town, this Rangiora family have no regrets Meet + Greet Jecasta South, 41 (homemaker), Pat South, 44 (sales manager at New Style Homes), Onika, 22, Jak, 18, Larkin, 12, and Mika, 10, plus Muffin the cat and Doogle the dog. Jecasta’s top tips for […]

Basketwork, rattan pieces and plants in every room lend a soft boho touch to the no-fuss surfaces in this super-practical, eclectic home Sometimes, opportunity presents itself when you least expect it. Just ask Jecasta South and her husband, Pat. The couple moved to Rangiora seven years ago, after their Christchurch home was ruined in the […]

Give your old ceramics a shiny new purpose with this simple, yet effective, plant pot hack. Your indoor plants will thank you for it You will need Two matching bowls Liquid Nails Potting mix Small succulents How to make 1 Glue the bases of your bowls together with Liquid Nails. Leave to dry. 2 Add […]

A dark and dated Lockwood was the perfect project for this creative couple – and enticed them to trade city life for a surfer’s paradise Hilary and Jasper Boer hadn’t planned on a move to the small coastal town of Raglan when they bought their home there five years ago. The purchase was meant to […]

As indoor plants take over our homes, here’s an expert guide to buying, styling and keeping them alive Before you fill your home with the best indoor plants money can buy, it’s wise to do a bit of research to find out which plants are right for your home, what you need to do to […]

They wanted a first house with potential, but found a home that would journey with them through marriage, parenthood and a decade of reno The real estate ad may as well have read: “1960s home for sale in Swanson, Auckland; only one previous owner. Two bedrooms, six types of mismatched flooring and lashings of yellow, […]

Ready to test your green thumb out on a new feature plant for your home? Here are five different varieties that are challenging the fiddle-leaf fig for indoor plant supremacy Both the fiddle-leaf fig (ficus lyrata) and the large-leafed monstera deliciosa (AKA Swiss cheese plant) have been at the forefront of the indoor plant trend […]

Spotted a beautiful tile you’d love to use in your home? Or got some spares lying around? Turn them into an eye-catching planter or two in just a few easy steps You will need: 5 tiles per box – ours were 20cm square. (The 5th tile is the base so this doesn’t have to match […]

Add a sense of drama to your home with a larger-than-life indoor tree. The ceiling’s the limit! House plants have been an essential part of our lives for some time now, but if you’re looking to take your greenery obsession to the next level, go large. An indoor tree will transform a room, bringing a […]

Frothy fronds, sculptural stems and bead-like trails of foliage. Take your pick from this lust-worthy line-up of indoor plants, plus top tips on how to keep them alive 1. Bird of paradise We prize them as garden plants in warmer parts of New Zealand but bird of paradise (Stelitzia reginae) is now a rock-star house […]

What will 2019 have in store? We’ve examined various interior forecasts and identified some top trends all interior enthusiasts can expect to see this year 1. The new fiddle-leaf fig The fiddle-leaf fig has dominated interiors for as long as indoor plants have been trendy, and rightly so, it’s got great structure, is easy-care and looks […]

With its relaxed, tropical vibe, this apartment feels a world away from its inner-city Auckland location. Take a tour and use these expert tips to make your own indoor jungle Meet and greet  Ron Goh, digital designer, and Matthew O’Brien, customer care manager, plus Ninny the chihuahua and Teddy the miniature schnauzer. This cool loft […]

A converted historic building in Auckland’s central city houses a magical home filled with an array of lush tropical plants – as well as one very stylish couple Meet and greet  Ron Goh, digital designer, and Matthew O’Brien, customer care manager, plus Ninny the chihuahua and Teddy the miniature schnauzer. This converted historic building is […]

Close to Mt Maunganui’s beaches and bustle, this family’s newly built home is filled with an intriguing mix of op-shop finds and high-end pieces Meet and greet Jake Pyne, managing director of clothing company You Know We Ain’t Ltd, Stacey Pyne, full-time mum, Milla, 13, Hayes, 11, and Ari, 9, plus Mickey the puppy. A […]

The Little Book of House Plants and Other Greenery author, Emma Sibley reveals simple tips to remember that will help you keep your indoor plants alive 5 reasons why your indoor plants might be dying Even those with the greenest of thumbs can wind up with a poorly plant on their hands. In fact, it’s […]

The trick to keeping your indoor plants happy and healthy. Here’s why you need to clean your indoor plants regularly Keeping your indoor plants alive involves much more than simply watering them when you remember. Sunlight requirements need to be met, the temperature needs to be just right, potting mix must be the right blend […]

Florist Eden Kersten of The Botanist invites us into her New Windsor home to show us her impressive plant collection and cool vintage inspired style The Botanist’s Eden Kersten’s home is an indoor plant paradise Eden Kersten’s plant obsession inspired her to transform her home into an indoor jungle. The woman behind the popular floristry […]

Indoor plants not only drastically improve air quality in your home or office, they can actually reduce stress and make you happier Indoor air can be really unhealthy  It’s hard to fathom, but the air we breathe indoors may contain 10 times more pollutants than outdoor air. Synthetic materials in our modern, energy-efficient buildings and […]

Indoor plants add depth, colour and style to any room in your home. Here’s our top 10 easy-to-care-for plants that are perfect for a hanging display Our top 10 indoor hanging plants that are hard to kill Run out of floor space thanks to your ever-growing indoor plant collection? Guilty! Whether this is you or not, hanging […]

Going up instead of out makes sense as space becomes scarcer. Outside In horticulturalist Ryan McQuerry explains why living walls are the perfect way to bring the outside in Everything you need to know about living walls As cities grow and open space becomes scarce, many cities are going green by either positioning nature on […]

Your favourite indoor and outdoor plants could be doing more harm than good! Here are 13 common plants to keep an eye out for 13 common house plants that can be toxic to your pets Although indoor plants do a great job at purifying the air in your home and livening up a room, if […]

No garden? No problem. Use Carol Bucknell’s ideas for indoor plants Small-space gardens: Hanging garden Use several pots containing the same species, such as these maiden hair ferns, to create a focal point with wow factor. Ensure there’s a ceiling stud from which to hang several pots; materials, such as the terracotta pots, are quite […]

White with hints of timber and verdant greenery is right on trend. Here’s your complete guide to using indoor plants in the bathroom How to use indoor plants to freshen up your bathroom What’s fresher than the combination of white and green? Especially when the green is living! Homes+ stylist Fiona Michelon shows us how […]

Indoor plants look fantastic anywhere and the kitchen is no exception. Go for the edible kind so you’ll always have herbs in easy reach when cooking How to create your own little herb garden in your kitchen Every kitchen looks fresher and more alive with some friendly greenery. Kitchens are often one of the best […]

Don’t let your trip away be the death of your plants, use our 8 top tips to keep your house plants healthy and happy when your’e on holiday 1. Lighten the load Before leaving, prune off any dead, dying, or unsightly foliage and also remove any buds or flowers, which usually require more frequent watering to […]

Living greenery brings beauty, softness and life to any interior – but which ones cope best with the hurly-burly of a busy household? Outside In Horticulturalist Ryan McQuerry selects his favourite family-friendly plants Words by: Ryan McQuerry. Photography by: Chris Warnes, Eve Wilson, Armelle Habib, Felix Forest, James Henry, Maree Homer/bauersyndication.com.au. Getty Images, iStock. [related_articles post1=”50412″ post2=”44927″]

Cacti and succulents are the perfect indoor plant – they look amazing and require hardly any upkeep. Take a look at some of our faves… Cactus are super easy to maintain, requiring little to no watering. They do need lots of sunshine though, so set them in a sunny spot! These quirky little guys add interest […]

A compilation of 10 planters to bring the outside in and the inside out Going green The addition of living greenery to your home will soften the edges and make your space seem calmer and more welcoming, not to mention it will also transform or enhance the existing style of any room. To ensure your […]

A former west Auckland icon has been given a new lease of life as a homeware store The Art Bunker was a local art gallery and somewhat of an institution in Titirangi, west Auckland, for many years. When the property, including a home at the back, came on the market in mid 2014 – owners […]

No garden? No problem. Use Carol Bucknell’s ideas for indoor plants Why bottle planters are the perfect solution for a small garden Collect empty jars and small bottles in a variety of sizes and colours. Plant small plants in the bottles with wide openings, packing the plants firmly into the soil. Paint an old crate […]

Everything you need to know to keep your pot plants going.