7 Trending Plants and how to keep them happy and healthy

Posted 9th November, 2020 in Plants

Spending time working in the nursery the last few months has given me some insight into the plants that are rushing to bring into their homes…. Here is a list of some of these plants and their requirements …

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fiddle Leaf Figs are one of our favourite plants right now and for good reason. Their beautiful large lush leathery green leaves certainly make a statement and give the impression of bringing the outside in.

When positioning your new fiddle Leaf Fig in your home it is important to place it in where it will receive lots of bright filtered light while avoiding direct sunlight so that leaves don’t burn. To encourage your Fiddle Leaf Fig to grow tall and straight rotate your pot every couple of weeks to make sure each side is getting enough light.

Fiddle leaf figs like to dry out slightly between watering’s and then be watered thoroughly. Avoid adding small amounts of water here and there instead make sure that you completely wet all of the potting mix surrounding your plant allowing the plant to take up a lot of water. The best way is to take it outside and give them a good drenching if possible or to place it in a shower. This also allows you to rinse all of the dust off the leaves. More watering is required in spring and summer and less in winter

Fiddle Leaf Figs will love you for feeding them regularly with a good dose of a slow release fertiliser similar to Osmocote in Spring. Apply a few times a year as per instructions on the label.

Devil’s Ivy or Epipremnum aureum

Devil’s ivy (Pothos) is a super low maintenance vine. These vines are suited to a nice bright room away from direct sunlight but may also work in a lower lit room. If placed in a lower lit room these gorgeous vines may grow a little slower and may developed a more elongated growth habit between the leaves. Devil’s Ivy can be potted into a pot, be water propagated in a glass vase or made into a Kokedama. There are many different colour variances including solid dark green, a neon light green yellow plus a few different variegations of green and white or green and yellow plus a tri colour of yellow, green and cream.

Devil’s Ivy is extremely drought tolerant making them an extremely hardy versatile indoor plant. When it comes to watering let these dry out slightly before watering and then water thoroughly to keep these happy. As an indicator of water requirements keep an eye on your plants leaves. If the potting mix is dry and the leaves look limp water it. Conversely if the potting mix is sodden and the leaves look poorly this is a sure fire sign that you are over loving your plant and killing it with kindness. Back off the watering. For optimal growth give these beauties a feed with Slow Release Fertiliser (Osmocote) in Spring.

Peace lily or Spathiphyllum 

Peace Lily’s are a super popular house plant with its dark green glossy foliage and white flowers. As with most indoor plants these plants will love a bright room filled with indirect light. These plants will also cope with  lower light but may not flower or grow as vigorously. As a general rule water these beauties approximately once a week depending in the amount of light in your home (less light = less watering) and if you are using air conditioning or heating they may require more water.  

These are a great plant as a starting point for most people because they often tell you when they need watering by drooping their leaves and then stand back up once they are happy again.

Avoid leaving your Peace Lily sitting in a saucer of water otherwise you will run into problems with root rot.

Mother-in-law’s Tongue or Sansevieria 

These beauties come in many different varieties. There are many different colourings as well as varied growth habits from dwarf low growing varieties to taller more upright growth habits. Often referred to as a Snake Plant these hardy plants are extremely hard to kill. They are fantastic as they will cope with a wide variety of lighting from bright indirect light, some direct sunlight all the way through to a darker room. 

A general rule of thumb is that the darker the room the less water is required. Don’t overwater, as this guy would prefer to be too dry than too damp.

Zanzibar Gem

Zanzibar Gem also referred to as a Neglect Plant is often hailed as being ‘almost indestructible’ and is perfect for those who tend to neglect their plants. These beauties have gorgeous deep green glossy leaves and can survive long periods without water due to their ability to store water in potato-like tuber. Watering approximately once a month thoroughly is often enough for this plant. A good way to do this is to place it in the shower so that you can also wash dust off it’s leaves. Never let this plant sit in water otherwise you will run the risk of it developing Root Rot.

Place in a well lit bright room in your home for best performance but it will also tolerate lower light conditions.

An application of Slow Release Fertiliser in spring will help to keep this guy super happy.

Maidenhair Fern

Maidenhair Fern is a gorgeous fern that is a great addition to homes but require a little bit more attention. Maidenhair have a broad list of likes and dislikes. When grown indoors they like to be kept moist in a brightly lit position away from draughts. If planting outside they prefer a very shaded position. 

Maidenhair hate to dry out so need to be kept moist. The best way to do this is to immerse the pot under water until all of the air bubbles escape to ensure that the plant is thoroughly watered. To avoid this plant drying out you can leave it in a saucer of water or place it into a self watering pot. A good feed with Slow Release Fertilizer on a regular basis will be appreciated.

Rubber Plant or Ficus Elastica

With shiny leaves in shades ranging from burgundy to dark green as well as some variegated varieties the Rubber Plants make a great statement that can fill corners with their beautiful large lush leathery leaves.

Rubber Plants are super hardy and like to live in a room with bright filtered light. As with a Fiddle Leaf Fig, Rubber Plants will benefit from rotating to grow tall and straight every couple of weeks to make sure each side is getting enough light

Care is the same as with Fiddle leaf figs.  Allow them to dry out slightly between watering’s and then water well making sure that you completely saturate all of the potting mix. Your Rubber Plant will love being placed in the shower allowing you to rinse all of the dust off the leaves. A regular feed using a Slow Release Fertilizer will keep your Rubber Plant happy and healthy.