3 Hottest Indoor Plants for 2021... And How to Make Them Thrive
Indoor plants – we can't get enough of them. In this book extract, see three must-have species to add to your collection
Georgia Madden
17 October 2020
From sculptural cacti to jungle-like trailers and everything in between, our love affair with indoor plants shows no sign of slowing down. And for good reason: these little beauties add warmth and natural appeal to our homes, while purifying the air so we can breathe easier. What’s not to love?
Now you can up your houseplant game with a new book entitled Plantopedia by Sophia Kaplan and Lauren Camilleri, co-founders of indoor plant firm Leaf Supply. It’s a definitive guide to common and not-so-common houseplants, including brief history, care instructions and how much of a green thumb you need to be to keep them alive. Here are the authors’ three top plant picks for 2021, with extracts from the book on how to love them right.
Now you can up your houseplant game with a new book entitled Plantopedia by Sophia Kaplan and Lauren Camilleri, co-founders of indoor plant firm Leaf Supply. It’s a definitive guide to common and not-so-common houseplants, including brief history, care instructions and how much of a green thumb you need to be to keep them alive. Here are the authors’ three top plant picks for 2021, with extracts from the book on how to love them right.
Image: Jessie Ann Harris
Authors and co-founders of Leaf Supply Lauren Camilleri (left) and Sophie Kaplan (right)
“Our favourite indoor plants for 2021 are the mini monstera, philodendron gloriosum and fern leaf cactus,” says Kaplan.
“All three plants have incredibly striking foliage, from the bold, skeletal, trailing stems of the fern leaf cactus and the graphic fenestrations of the climbing mini monstera, to the large, velutinous, deeply veined leaves of the philodendron gloriosum.
“These plants will all add a lush, calming vibe to your home. While the philodendron gloriosum is quite hard to get your hands on and requires a little extra TLC, the fern leaf cactus and mini monstera are low-maintenance beauties.
“Bright, indirect light, a moderate watering schedule, and a well-diluted liquid fertiliser in the warmer seasons will keep them happy,” she says.
Authors and co-founders of Leaf Supply Lauren Camilleri (left) and Sophie Kaplan (right)
“Our favourite indoor plants for 2021 are the mini monstera, philodendron gloriosum and fern leaf cactus,” says Kaplan.
“All three plants have incredibly striking foliage, from the bold, skeletal, trailing stems of the fern leaf cactus and the graphic fenestrations of the climbing mini monstera, to the large, velutinous, deeply veined leaves of the philodendron gloriosum.
“These plants will all add a lush, calming vibe to your home. While the philodendron gloriosum is quite hard to get your hands on and requires a little extra TLC, the fern leaf cactus and mini monstera are low-maintenance beauties.
“Bright, indirect light, a moderate watering schedule, and a well-diluted liquid fertiliser in the warmer seasons will keep them happy,” she says.
Image: Luisa Brimble
“As all three plants have quite a strong aesthetic, they work equally well sitting alone as they do clustered in a group.
“The fern leaf cactus should be placed on a shelf allowing its leaves to shine as they trail towards the floor.
“The philodendron gloriosum looks amazing on a plant stand. And once mature, the mini monstera can be trained up a wall using hooks, creating a creeping wall of green.
“In terms of pots, we love organic, earthy colours and textures that complement the natural beauty of plants,” she says.
Looking to green up your interior exterior? Chat to a local garden expert on Houzz
“As all three plants have quite a strong aesthetic, they work equally well sitting alone as they do clustered in a group.
“The fern leaf cactus should be placed on a shelf allowing its leaves to shine as they trail towards the floor.
“The philodendron gloriosum looks amazing on a plant stand. And once mature, the mini monstera can be trained up a wall using hooks, creating a creeping wall of green.
“In terms of pots, we love organic, earthy colours and textures that complement the natural beauty of plants,” she says.
Looking to green up your interior exterior? Chat to a local garden expert on Houzz
Image of mini-monstera: Jacqui Turk
1. Mini monstera (Rhaphidophora tetrasperma)
Other common names include the philodendron ginny or piccolo, but all are deceiving as although they are all members of the araceae family, Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is neither a monstera nor a philodendron.
1. Mini monstera (Rhaphidophora tetrasperma)
- Care level: novice
- Light: bright, indirect
- Water: moderate
- Soil: well-draining
- Humidity: medium
- Propagation: stem cuttings
- Growth habit: climbing
- Position: bookshelf or stand
- Toxicity: toxic.
Other common names include the philodendron ginny or piccolo, but all are deceiving as although they are all members of the araceae family, Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is neither a monstera nor a philodendron.
Image: Lauren Camilleri
Hailing from Thailand and Malaysia, Rhaphidophora tetrasperma lives very happily indoors, providing all the graphic good looks and easy-going nature of its common moniker, but on a smaller scale.
As it’s a vigorous grower, particularly in the warmer months, you may find yourself needing to repot it yearly.
It tends to do best with adequate support to climb – a moss pole, totem or trellis will do the trick.
Hailing from Thailand and Malaysia, Rhaphidophora tetrasperma lives very happily indoors, providing all the graphic good looks and easy-going nature of its common moniker, but on a smaller scale.
As it’s a vigorous grower, particularly in the warmer months, you may find yourself needing to repot it yearly.
It tends to do best with adequate support to climb – a moss pole, totem or trellis will do the trick.
Image: Jessie Ann Harris
While it can be allowed to hang, it tends to result in leggy growth and reduced foliage size. Water when the top two to five centimetres (three quarters to two inches) of potting mix is dry and avoid long periods of drought. Although the mini monstera may be forgiving of a little neglect, it will have a detrimental effect on growth.
Standard household humidity won’t bother Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, but it will certainly appreciate the added moisture from regular misting. It can be susceptible to root rot from over-watering, especially during the colder months, so be sure to facilitate adequate drainage year-round and reduce watering during winter.
While it can be allowed to hang, it tends to result in leggy growth and reduced foliage size. Water when the top two to five centimetres (three quarters to two inches) of potting mix is dry and avoid long periods of drought. Although the mini monstera may be forgiving of a little neglect, it will have a detrimental effect on growth.
Standard household humidity won’t bother Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, but it will certainly appreciate the added moisture from regular misting. It can be susceptible to root rot from over-watering, especially during the colder months, so be sure to facilitate adequate drainage year-round and reduce watering during winter.
Image of philodendron ‘glorious’: Jacqui Turk
2. Philodendron ‘glorious’ (Philodendron gloriosum)
2. Philodendron ‘glorious’ (Philodendron gloriosum)
- Care level: green thumb
- Light: bright, indirect
- Water: high
- Soil: well-draining
- Humidity: high
- Propagation: stem cuttings
- Growth habit: climbing
- Position: bookshelf or stand
- Toxicity: toxic.
Image: Luisa Brimble
It’s all in the name of this glorious philodendron. Foliage certainly doesn’t come more sumptuous than the glimmering velvety leaves of this stunning hybrid of Philodendron gloriosum and P. melanochr ysum, created by Keith Henderson in the 1970s.
Graphic white veining intersects the rich green on the large textured leaves of this much sought-after aroid. The philodendron ‘glorious’ should be potted in a well-draining soil mix and kept consistently moist but never soggy.
It’s all in the name of this glorious philodendron. Foliage certainly doesn’t come more sumptuous than the glimmering velvety leaves of this stunning hybrid of Philodendron gloriosum and P. melanochr ysum, created by Keith Henderson in the 1970s.
Graphic white veining intersects the rich green on the large textured leaves of this much sought-after aroid. The philodendron ‘glorious’ should be potted in a well-draining soil mix and kept consistently moist but never soggy.
Image: Luisa Brimble
Its humidity requirements are also high, so regular misting is advised. As with all philodendrons, bright indirect light is best, so avoid direct sun, which will burn those lovely leaves.
A moss-covered pole makes the ideal totem for this vining houseplant, providing support for strong upright growth if that’s your vibe.
Browse gorgeous Australian living rooms for plant lovers on Houzz
Its humidity requirements are also high, so regular misting is advised. As with all philodendrons, bright indirect light is best, so avoid direct sun, which will burn those lovely leaves.
A moss-covered pole makes the ideal totem for this vining houseplant, providing support for strong upright growth if that’s your vibe.
Browse gorgeous Australian living rooms for plant lovers on Houzz
Image of fern leaf cactus: Jacqui Turk
3. Fern leaf cactus (Selenicereus chrysocardium)
3. Fern leaf cactus (Selenicereus chrysocardium)
- Care level: novice
- Light: bright, indirect
- Water: moderate
- Soil: well-draining
- Humidity: medium
- Propagation: stem cuttings
- Growth habit: trailing
- Position: bookshelf or stand
- Toxicity: toxic
Image: Anna Batchelor
Its graphic stems are selling point enough, but the kicker is in its equally gorgeous flowers, which are delicate and fleeting beauties with stunning golden stamens that are referenced in the plant’s Latin name (chrysocardium translates as golden heart).
Often choosing to bloom by the light of the moon, these flowers are a spectacular sight that, as with so many beautiful things, are sadly short-lived. Selenicereus chrysocardium is unlikely to bloom inside anyway, but rest assured its striking foliage is more than enough reason to purchase one.
Its graphic stems are selling point enough, but the kicker is in its equally gorgeous flowers, which are delicate and fleeting beauties with stunning golden stamens that are referenced in the plant’s Latin name (chrysocardium translates as golden heart).
Often choosing to bloom by the light of the moon, these flowers are a spectacular sight that, as with so many beautiful things, are sadly short-lived. Selenicereus chrysocardium is unlikely to bloom inside anyway, but rest assured its striking foliage is more than enough reason to purchase one.
Image: Anna Batchelor
The fern leaf cactus is actually a jungle cactus that has evolved from a drought-tolerant desert dweller to the humid, shadier climes of the jungle. When this species moved to the tropics, moisture retention was no longer an issue and finding the light became more important, so it spread its leafless stems wide to aid photosynthesis.
Unlike desert cacti, direct sun, except for some gentle morning sun, is a no-no, so keep the light bright but mostly indirect. Water regularly once the top two to five centimetres (three quarters to two inches) of its well-draining potting mix has dried out in spring and summer, but let the soil almost fully dry out in the cooler months.
The fern leaf cactus is actually a jungle cactus that has evolved from a drought-tolerant desert dweller to the humid, shadier climes of the jungle. When this species moved to the tropics, moisture retention was no longer an issue and finding the light became more important, so it spread its leafless stems wide to aid photosynthesis.
Unlike desert cacti, direct sun, except for some gentle morning sun, is a no-no, so keep the light bright but mostly indirect. Water regularly once the top two to five centimetres (three quarters to two inches) of its well-draining potting mix has dried out in spring and summer, but let the soil almost fully dry out in the cooler months.
Cover illustration: Edith Rewa
This is an edited extract from Plantopedia by Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan, published by Smith Street Books on 7 October 2020, RRP $59.99. It is available at Booktopia.
Your turn
Which houseplant are you loving right now? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more on greenery? Take a look at this story: 14 Ideas for Urban Front and Back Yards
This is an edited extract from Plantopedia by Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan, published by Smith Street Books on 7 October 2020, RRP $59.99. It is available at Booktopia.
Your turn
Which houseplant are you loving right now? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more on greenery? Take a look at this story: 14 Ideas for Urban Front and Back Yards
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i have a mixture of plants that love the filtered light in my kitchen, they stretch to the far side of the lounge.
every home needs plants 😊
I've converted all mine to either leca or scoria in a semi-hydro system... all much healthier, no grubbing about with soil, and best of all, no more gnats!