Trendy house plants

Whether your thumb is green or not, a great houseplant does round out a room. And I’m not talking about a couple of pots of African violets (too small and fussy) or a ficus tree (too much shedding). Gravitate to varieties that can act as green sculptures, adding shape as well as liveliness to an interior - a bigger specimen is always better than waiting for a smaller one to grow to optimum size.

 

ABOVE and BELOW: Ficus Lyrata or fiddle-leaf fig in a bright-white triangular container makes a bold statement in this suavely mod living room. A majestic specimen of fiddle-leaf fig, a.k.a. Ficus lyrata, surrounded with mounds of green moss.

Maintenance is key - remember to wipe smooth-surface leaves regularly with a damp cloth and trim off dead or dying bits. And it’s best to keep the plant contained in a plastic pot tucked inside a decorative basket. That way if it bites the dust, you can replace it easily.

ABOVE: An asparagus fern trails its frothy tendrils across a walnut cocktail table. The verdant splashes jazz up the neutral colour scheme while the graceful fronds lend a summery sense of style.

ABOVE: In his living room, Vicente Wolf positioned cone-shaped ivy topiaries so that their cascading green vines add a gardenlike accent to the former industrial space.

ABOVE: Interior designer Frank Roop’s entrance hall in Boston is anchored by an antique center table holding a spiky member of the Dracaena family.

Dracaena is an indigenous African plant that can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Dracaena is usually grown for their unique foliage and colourful looks. The plant requires moderate sunlight and needs to be kept away from direct sunlight.

Dracaena requires humid soil to grow, so place some pebbles under the Dracaena to increase the humidity of the soil. You can also Mist the plant once a week with soft water as it helps in the growth of the plant. However, it is important that you don’t over water the plant.

ABOVE: In his townhouse, architect William Georgis displays a flamboyant split-leaf philodendron (Monstera deliciosa) softens the black-granite modernity of the master bath. Monstera deliciosa is commonly grown as a houseplant for decoration. It grows best at a temperatures of 20 °C to 30 °C, requires high humidity - spray the leaves regularly with a water mist - and needs a light spot out of direct sunlight.

 

 

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