A Touch Of Green: Our Guide To Indoor Plants & Where to Buy Them

In 2017, Pantone's colour of the year was called "Greenery'. So it's no surprise that indoor plants and greenery have become a popular feature inside Sunshine Coast homes.

From experience, caring for your indoor companions can be tricky. Some like water. Some like it dry. Some like light. Some like dark.

We've done some research and have come across some great advice. We hope it can help your 'Greenery' survive and thrive.

Face the light:
Determine how much sunlight gets into your home and choose your plants accordingly. Don't forget to take into consideration if there's something outside the window that may obstruct the light, such as a tree wall. The best place to start is figuring out which direction your or a windows face.
- NORTH FACING ROOMS: These rooms get bright light for the majority of the day in the southern hemisphere. Choose almost any plant and arrange them a few feet from the windows. Try cacti, alocasias and flowering or fruit-bearing plants such as oxalis begonias or dwarf Meyer lemon trees.
- EAST AND WEST FACING ROOMS: These rooms are filled with a medium amount of light for the majority of the day, but still keep your plants within a few feet of the window - we recommend pilea, peperomia, palms, dracaena, ficus or ferns.
- SOUTH FACING ROOMS: These rooms receive the least light, so choose plants that can endure low-light conditions and keep them directly on the windowsill. Some suggestions include pothos, philodendrons, arrowheads, Chinese evergreens, peace lilies and zamio-culcas (or "ZZ").
Be realistic:
Be sure to consider your daily schedule, travel frequency and general forgetfulness when you decide on plants. If your absentmindedness is what stands in the way plant ownership, try a succulent or a cactus - they store water in their leaves stems and even roots, enabling them survive periods of drought and distress. Truly, the only way to kill either of these is over-care!
Throw some shade:
While you want to provide sunlight for your plant, be careful to protect it from intense direct rays: If the sun is powerful enough to scorch your skin, it's certainly too much for your plant's leaves. To protect them from burning, draw a sheer curtain across the window or move them a foot away from the window.
Don't over-love:
Beware of overwatering: It's the easiest way to kill a plant. You may be tempted to water your plant on a schedule, but it's best to water it only when needed. Always check the soil first before giving it a drink: If the soil is darker in colour and sticks to your finger, the plant should be fine for the time being. If you're a novice, also stay away from fertiliser - it’s another accidental way to kill your plant. Plants get minerals from the air, water and potting mix and are nourished by sunlight, so it's entirely possible to have a healthy plant without additives.
Soak it up:
To water your plant, gently lift the foliage and flood the potting mix with tepid water until a trickle appears from the drainage hole at the bottom. Let the plant soak up the water for 30 minutes, then empty any remaining water from the saucer. If your planter doesn't have a drainage hole at the bottom to allow excess water to escape from the soil, it's important to create makeshift drainage. You can do this by lining the bottom of the planter with rocks and sand - this added precaution will also help you avoid over watering your plants.
Turn up the heat:
As with humans, plants are most comfortable between 18 and 24 degrees (perfect Sunshine Coast weather). Avoid placing your plant near temperature hazards such as vents, heaters and exterior doors, which may create hot or cold spots and drafts. If you like plants that prefer more humid conditions such as ferns, ivies or tropical plants, mist them using a mall spray bottle every few days. During the dry months of winter, also group your plants together to help create a humid microclimate.
Consult an expert:
It's best to buy quality plants from knowledgeable experts at local nurseries and garden centres (see our list below). Definitely give your plant a once over before purchasing - watch out for yellowed leaves, fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, leaf spots, brown leaf tips, weak or wobbly stems and other obvious signs of poor plant health.