Indoor plants with fabulous foliage
2023-10-04T09:59:37+11:00
A collection of unique indoor plants that will bring freshness and beauty to your home.
Philodendron erubescens ‘Pink Princess’
There’s something enticing about not knowing what a plant will reveal as it grows, and Philodendron erubescens ‘Pink Princess’ (above) is quite the enigma. Part of the Nature’s Décor range, this variegated climber produces mid- to dark green and even burgundy foliage streaked, splashed and spotted with colour, from cream through to hot pink, lavender and purple. Give it support to help it climb, and place either indoors in a bright spot with indirect light or, in tropical climates, outside in a sheltered shady or semi-shaded corner. Then, just wait for each leaf to reveal its unique colour and pattern. ballaustralia.com
Phlebodium aureum ‘Davana’
Here’s a conversation starter for any indoor plant enthusiasts! Phlebodium aureum ‘Davana’ resulted from the discovery of a single sport growing on some P. ‘Blue Star’ that was being cultivated by Dutch breeders Raadschelders Ferns. A sport is a genetic mutation that can appear on any plant, and this one so piqued the interest of the breeders that they propagated it. It’s a spectacular compact plant with abundant frilled leaves that become increasingly blue-grey as they mature. Growing 50cm wide and high, this low-maintenance indoor plant thrives in mid to low light, in pots or hanging baskets. pma.com.au
Hypoestes phyllostachya
Hippos could only dream of having spots like these shade-loving polka-dot plants (Hypoestes phyllostachya). In warm areas, ‘Hippo Rose’ and ‘Hippo Pink’ can be used as groundcover under taller shrubs, and their speckled foliage adds colour year round, while ‘Hippo White’ can show you the way along a semi-shaded path. Growing 40–55cm tall and 20–35cm wide, these low maintenance, compact shrubs also look sensational grown in containers, with liriopes or mondo grass, and native violets trailing over the side. In cool climates, polka-dot plants are also a popular indoor plant – grow them in bright, indirect light, fertilise them monthly, and don’t overwater. Weed watch: Hypoestes phyllostachya is an environmental weed in parts of Queensland and New South Wales.
Text by Sally Feldman
