COLUMNIST: jordan TRAINER
The world of houseplants has grown massively over the last few years and there are so many new and unusual varieties appearing. Whether you are new to indoor plants, or want something different to add to your growing collection, these are my top five recommendations and how to care for each of them.
If you have any of these fascinating plants in your home make sure to tag us @plantiqueglasgow as we would love to see them!
The coral plant is an exotic looking, tropical plant that can easily be kept indoors as a houseplant. It gets its name from the unusual, bright red/orange blooms that this plant produces. The foliage is also very striking and like no other houseplant I have come across.
This plant is part of the Euphorbia family and is native to Central America and the Caribbean. For the best results, keep it in a sunny location. It can tolerate direct sun or bright, indirect light and watering every 7-9 days. As soon as the soil feels dry at the top, it will need watered again.
The coral plant is a great statement plant and will easily grow to around 60cm (24in) in height and spread, and may even grow larger if re-potted every few years.
It is one of my favourite plants this year and so far, I have found it pretty low maintenance. It is toxic if ingested so make sure to keep it away from pets and children.
Tradescantia has been popular for many years, this new cultivar however, named ‘Brightness’ is one of the newest types available on the market. It has luminous, white and lime green foliage that cascades and trails as it grows. This plant would look great on a window ledge or macrame hanger where you can admire its beautiful foliage. Like all tradescantia types, this variety will thrive in bright, indirect light and should be able to tolerate some direct sun.
It is best to allow the soil to partially dry before watering, which is typically every 7-10 days for a desk sized plant. In terms of general maintenance, tradescantia is one of the hardiest houseplants, making them a great choice for beginners.
Over time they can become long and straggly. You can solve this by placing cuttings from another tradescantia back into the top of the pot. This will keep the plant looking full and lush for years to come.
This rare and unusual variety of rubber plant is a modern twist on the more common Ficus elastica ‘Tineke’ variety that you see in most plant shops and garden centres.
In the wild it can grow to heights of up to 30m (100ft) but in most homes, it will stay relatively small. It has heavily variegated, speckled foliage and every leaf has a different pattern which makes it unique.
Ficus thrives in medium to bright, indirect light so avoid direct sun which can cause burning or browning of the leaves. To avoid over-watering, which can cause this plant to drop leaves quickly, it is best to allow the top layer of soil to dry out, and water usually every 7-12 days. If the leaves start to droop down, this is a sign that the plant needs watered promptly.
‘Moonshine’ is better suited to the more experienced plant keeper as it can be tricky to keep and expensive due to its rarity.
A good tip with all rubber plants is to use a banana skin or wet cloth to clean the leaves. This keeps the foliage looking glossy and free from dust, allowing the plant to absorb as much light as it needs.
Peperomia makes an excellent houseplant for many reasons. They come in an array of colours, shapes, patterns. This new variety called ‘Cayenne’ stands out from the rest with its silvery-pink, metallic looking leaves. It has a compact growing habit and will happily remain in a small pot for several years, thriving in bright, indirect light or partial shade.
The genus Peperomia was first discovered by Spanish Botanists Ruiz Lopez and Pavon Jimenez in 1974 where they were collected from Peru and Chilli. There are now hundreds of varieties on the market, but nothing stands out like this variety.
Peperomia has a delicate root system which means over-watering will quickly rot the plant. Allow the soil to partially dry out to avoid root-rot, and water typically every 10-12 days. A good tip is to feel the leaves: if they are firm and hard to bend, the plant has enough water; if the leaves start to droop and bend easily then the plant requires hydrating.
If you have pets, then this plant is perfect as all Peperomia are classed as non-toxic. Whether you’re experienced with houseplants, or a complete beginner I’d strongly recommend Peperomia ‘Cayenne’ if you are lucky enough to spot one, buy it!
Ornithogalum dubium, commonly referred to as the Star of Bethlehem, is an unusual flowering houseplant with striking orange blooms. The star flower is one of 150 species of perennial bulb plants which originate in South Africa. They grow outdoors mainly but they can also thrive in our homes.
To keep the Star Flower healthy indoors, position the plant in bright, filtered light and water regularly every 7-10 days. Lack of light and over-watering will quickly kill this plant so make sure to check the soil every week.
It will tolerate normal room temperatures however, the flowers will last longer in a cooler room. Once in bloom, flowers can last for over a month, or longer if kept in the right spot. It makes a great centerpiece on its own or grouped together with tropical plants.
Once flowering has finished and the leaves start to turn yellow, prune the foliage back to about an inch above the soil. Place the plant in a dark room, that is cool and dry for a couple of months. Water very sparingly and once leaves start to reemerge again, place the plant back in a bright spot and it should flower again within a few weeks.
Jordan Trainer is Glasgow-based, plant enthusiast, and business owner of Plantique. With a passion for houseplants, he has been growing and collecting them for almost 10 years.
In his column for Scotland Grows, Jordan recommends his favourite houseplants for beginners.
Keep up with Jordan on his Instagram and Facebook feeds, or pop into his shop at 286 Dumbarton Road, Partick, G11 6TD.