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How to design an indoor garden oasis from scratch


How to design an indoor garden oasis from scratch

There’s never been a better time to get some more green into your life. Go on, bring the outdoors inside with your very own indoor garden. 

The Plant Runner co-founder Duncan Hilder has the scoop on the best plants to thrive indoors.

From the best beginner plants to some of the trendiest flora of 2020, here’s what to buy to get your indoor garden off the ground.

Beginner plants

Whether this is your first foray into gardening or not, it’s always good to have low maintenance indoor plants – they’ll keep the momentum going for your indoor oasis, even when you’re feeling hands-off.

Look for hardy varieties that will thrive year-round and don’t require constant attention, watering or pruning.

These are Duncan’s top picks for beginner, low-maintenance plants:

Monstera

This big leaf, palm-like plant will make your room look and feel like a tropical island. The large leaves are richly green and have plenty of character.

“Monstera leaves will change as the plant itself ages,” Duncan explains. “[They will grow] from smaller, fenestration-free leaves to the larger classic foliage we all love.”

The monstera plant is known for its large, iconic leaves. Picture: Pexels


As the name suggests, these plants become quite ‘monstrous’ in size and require a lot of space. If this is something you don’t have a lot of, you can still enjoy monsteras on a smaller scale – just pop a couple of their leaves in a vase and watch them thrive. Or, see the note below on the mini monstera.

Peace lily

The peace lily is known for being a great air-purifier and a hardy indoor plant. It’s also quite fun as the lush and shiny leaves give way to a beautiful white ‘flower’ once or twice a year. Fun fact: it is not technically a flower but a ‘bract’ or modified leaf.Peace lily

Peace lilies are one of the few household plants that ‘bloom’. Picture: Getty


Peace lilies don’t need a lot of sunlight and actually thrive in the shade. However, they do prefer warm temperatures, so keep this plant away from the air con.

Also remember to keep cats and dogs far from your peace lilies as their leaves could be toxic to them.

Devil’s ivy

If you want a romantic, jungle look, devil’s ivy, or pothos, is right for you. 

Devil’s ivy is perfect for hanging on high surfaces so its vines can drape beautifully. Photo: Pexels


You may recognise this plant from its pear or heart-shaped leaves and crawling vines. Pothos is another plant that can thrive as a cutting and will happily grow roots in a simple jar of water.

It is a low-light plant, making it great for an office or areas without a lot of natural light.

Intermediate plants

Once you’ve graduated from taking care of a few low-maintenance plants, you can move on to these varieties:

Calathea

A calathea comes with a lot of visual interest – it’s a statement decoration in whatever space you put it in. However, they can be a little fussy.

They don’t require a lot of light, but they like humidity – warmth and some moisture. Don’t drench them with water and always ensure the pot has adequate drainage.

Giant bird of paradise

The Strelitzia nicolai, or giant bird of paradise, is a large palm-like plant with a very tropical vibe. Strelitzia nicolai

Giant bird of paradise has a white and blue flower. Picture: Getty


It loves sunlight and, if taken care of, will bloom with a dramatic blue and white flower in the warmer months. While perhaps better outdoors – the plant can grow up to six metres – it can withstand being indoors in the right conditions.

Trending plants

This year Duncan expects to see a lot of love for these three darlings:

Ficus audrey

“More easy going than its cousin the fiddle leaf fig, it has a leaf similar to the rubber tree but with more of a matte finish and wonderful velvety texture,” Duncan says.

Somewhere that’s green? This ficus audrey, too, could transform your home. Picture: Unsplash


Both fiddle leaf fig and ficus audrey love lots of indirect sunlight – so pop it in a room with big windows.

‘Raven’ ZZ plant

Thanks to its dark colour there’s something very dramatic about the ‘Raven’ ZZ. While greenery tends to suit most spaces, this might suit your needs if you prefer a more muted or monotone colour palette.

The best thing about this plant is that it doesn’t require a lot of water, only needing weekly to monthly watering in a well-drained pot.

Mini monstera

The mini monstera is simply a shrunken version of the (much) larger monstera, with almost identical leaf shape and detail.

Similar rules apply, but this one is ideal for smaller spaces or spaces that don’t require more delicate adornment.

What else do I need?

You may want to decorate with beautiful pots and plants stands to make your indoor garden work with your decor.

However, on a more practical note, be sure to feed your soil down the track.

“While you should be able to get by without much fancy equipment, eventually you’ll need to start fertilising your plants as they will use up all the nutrients in their potting medium after a few months,” Duncan advises. “Other handy items to consider are a good watering can and maybe a nice pair of secateurs for pruning and propagating.”

Source of the original article: https://www.realestate.com.au/lifestyle/how-to-design-an-indoor-garden-oasis-from-scratch