House plants to buy (and avoid) for your home office

Adding some new plants to your home may help bring your work space to life. We speak to a plant expert about the best low-maintenance species to buy — and the ones to avoid. 23 DAYS TO GO.

There’s many indoor plants available in Melbourne to decorate your home. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Six weeks stuck at home seems like a lifetime right now, but we’ve got you covered for daily entertainment.

Lockdown Life, a digital subscriber special, will give you a five minute brain break each day from coronavirus and arm you with some handy tips as well on keeping the family busy with movies to watch and bike rides to enjoy, and the adults well stocked with wine and recipes ideas — just to name a few.

So keep an eye out each lunchtime online.

Today we share some of the best house plants to decorate your home office.

Lockdown Life. 23 Days To Go.

Prahran’s Botanicah wholesale plant nursery co-founder Harris Mashood shares his top tips on buying house plants and how to take care of them.

ON-TREND PLANTS

Harris said there were four types of plants everyone wanted in their homes.

Monstera, the Calatheas species, Alocasia (particularly elephant ear) and Aglonemia have been Botanicah’s biggest sellers.

“Monstera is so easy to look after and look spectacular,” Harris said.

“They are very robust and easy to grow. It’s always been available to buy in Melbourne.”

Monstera prefers warm, tropical weather if outdoors, but can adapt to most indoor conditions.

Inside, Monstera prefers indirect sunlight and needs little watering in winter.

Rubber plant.

Plants in the Calatheas species were also popular, but originate from tropical climates and can be temperamental growing in Melbourne’s cool climate.

Alocasia, such as elephant ear, was a very hearty plant.

“Again there are some certain types of Alocasia, like Zebrina, that don’t like Melbourne weather,” Harris said.

“Demand for Aglaonema, or the Chinese Evergreen, has been phenomenal. Most people come into our store and ask for Aglaonema. We have a great range of them and they survive in Melbourne quite well.”

WHAT PLANT SHOULD I BUY?

SUPER BASIC

For the person who may forget to water their plants.

Succulents

Survive well without water and in dry heat for long periods of time.

Cactus

Similar to succulents, cactus can survive in drought-stricken areas for long periods without water.

Succulents.

Cactus.

For the person who will water their plants once a week.

Monstera

Known as the swiss cheese plant, Monstera thrives in partly-shaded areas outdoor and most indoor environments. It only requires watering weekly or when the soil becomes dry.

Monstera.

Peace Lily. Picture: Nick Clayton.

Peace Lilies

This plant has beautiful foliage all year-round and has gorgeous, pure white flowers over a long period. It works well indoors and doesn’t require heavy watering.

Devils Ivy

The vines of Devils Ivy will grow quite long if cared for correctly. This plant works well with bright light, but can also grow in low-lit conditions, and only requires watering once a week.

Devils Ivy. Picture: Nick Clayton

Mother In Law. Picture: Nick Clayton.

Sansevieria (Mother in Law’s Tongue, Snake Plant)

This plant prefers cooler climates indoors and thrives out of direct sunlight. It can grow 70cm and 90cm tall.

Rubber Plant

Rubber Plants prefer indirect sunlight that isn’t too hot, as direct light will burn the leaves.

In winter, you only need to water once or twice a month. Cleaning the leaves with a damp cloth can promote growth.

MODERATE MAINTENANCE

For the person prepared to manage temperamental plants.

White Calathea. Source: nicksgardencenter/ Instagram.

Alocasia.

Calatheas

This tropical species enjoys direct sunlight inside and outside in a warm, shaded spot. The soil needs to be kept consistently moist and doesn’t like the frost.

Alocasia

Indoors this plant enjoys a well-lit spot out of direct sunlight, while outside it thrives in shaded, warm climates.

HIGH MAINTENANCE

For the person who loves a challenge.

Caladium.

Oxalis Triangularis. Source: the.velvetjungle/ Instagram.

Caladium

This tropical plant doesn’t always survive Melbourne’s cold winters. It should be kept inside in warm protected positions.

Oxalis triangularis

This plant looks the good on Instagram for its striking purple leaves and how it’s dressed in white pots. As this is a tropical plant, some green thumbs go to great lengths to keep their Oxalis triangularis alive in Melbourne by growing them in greenhouses and investing in humidifiers to keep the air moist.

White fusion calathea

Botanicah receives three to four inquiries about this plant each week, but the frost-sensitive plant doesn’t always survive in Melbourne’s cold climate.

TIPS YOU SHOULD KNOW

— Underwatering doesn’t kill a plant, overwatering does. A lot of plants can survive up to 10 days without water, depending on the plant and the pot.

— Only buy plants you can look after properly. If you don’t like watering often, then a cactus is for you.

— Invest in a premium potting mix, as it has both wetting agents and a fertiliser.

— Boring nursery pots are better than pretty ones as they have more than one drainage hole on the base.

— Re-pot your plants every four to six months (particularly in spring) and only if you want the plant to grow.

— The best time to re-pot plants is in spring.

— In winter, make sure your plants aren’t in direct source of artificial heat like heaters.

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