Buying indoor plants

Indoor plants – adored by gardeners, designers, and plant enthusiasts alike – are booming in popularity for reasons beyond aesthetics. Many Australians lack expansive outdoor gardens, making house plants a perfect solution for those who want to infuse their spaces with greenery and exercise their itching green thumbs. Plants also have plenty of health benefits, such as improving air quality and reducing stress. But before you visit your local nursery, consider these pointers…

Light requirements

Before buying indoor plants, assess the light levels in your home, considering factors like window direction, obstructions, and seasonal changes to sunlight. It’s important to choose plants to match your light conditions, says Tammy: “Don’t buy a succulent and place it in a room with little to no light. And if you don’t have great natural lighting, consider investing in grow lights.” Here are the typical lighting conditions most indoor plants face.

1. Direct sunlight: This is usually experienced through north-facing windows and changes seasonally as the sun moves higher and lower in the sky. Most indoor plants don’t like full sun.
2. Bright, indirect light: This is the requirement of many indoor plants. Plants in this condition are exposed to plenty of light, but not directly. This can be achieved by placing plants near a window with sheer curtains or just out of the direct beam of sunlight.
3. Partial Shade: Plants in this condition can tolerate some shade but still require brighter conditions than low-light plants. They prefer to receive less intense, scattered light throughout the day.
4. Low light: These conditions are away from windows or in rooms with minimal natural light.

Where’s the best place to buy quality plants?

There’s a plethora of wonderful plants suitable for growing indoors. To acquaint yourself with the options, head to your local nursery and take your time to select. Talk to the nursery staff – they’ll be more than happy to help. “Online stores and community groups are also great places to buy and swap plants,” says Tammy.

When visiting a nursery, it’s important you don’t just settle on the first plant you see. Consider your options and do the following:

• Check the plant label: here you’ll find a quick breakdown of the plant care, including lighting conditions and watering needs.
• Look for signs of health: are the leaves wilting or browning? Check the soil. Are there lots of visible roots? If yes, it may need repotting quite soon.
• Check for pests: Check the undersides of the leaves to make sure there are no signs of pests or damage caused by pests.
• Inspect your options: Choose a plant that is lush and has numerous individual stems or stalks.
• Safety check: Do you have a pet at home? Find out if the plant is toxic to animals.

Tammy’s top picks for beginners

ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ Plant, also called a Zanzibar gem, is a resilient and low-maintenance choice, making it suitable for beginners. It has glossy, dark green leaves and can tolerate low light and irregular watering.

Monstera (Monstera deliciosa)
Known for its iconic, fenestrated leaves, the monstera is a popular choice that adds a tropical touch to indoor spaces. It can tolerate various light conditions and thrives in well-draining soil.

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)
Recognised for its elegant white flowers and lush, dark green leaves, the peace lily is a popular flowering plant for indoor settings. It prefers bright, indirect light and moderate watering.

Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum)
This plant is a popular and easy-to-care-for house plant, as it can tolerate a wide range of light conditions. It features heart-shaped, glossy leaves that come in various shades of green, often with marbled patterns of yellow or white. Devil’s ivy is known for its vigorous trailing vines, making it a great choice for hanging baskets or cascading over shelves.

What else do I need to buy?

Here’s a checklist of items you’ll need to help settle your plant into its new home, and keep it happy and healthy:

• A good quality potting mix (look for the red box with white ticks!). Consider the plant’s moisture requirements and nutrient needs when selecting the soil.
• A general-purpose fertiliser.
• An organic insecticide.
• A potting mat (or piece of tarp) is ideal for keeping things tidy when repotting.
• A suitable pot or container for your plant. Most of the time you won’t need to re-pot the plant right away. Simply pop it into a cover pot. However, if roots are visible, then it may be safer to re-pot it. Need help selecting a pot? Read here.

Photo credit: Brent Wilson