COLUMNIST: jordan TRAINER
Here are the next five plants I’d love to share to inspire your houseplant collection.
Origins: Japan and Taiwan
Care Level: Easy (good for beginners)
Toxicity: Non-toxic to humans and animals
Problems: Foliage can easily brown due to lack of humidity or saturated soil
The Asplenium nidus ‘Crispy Wave’ Fern is very much on trend with its sculptural, crimped leaves adding style to home or office areas. The lush great leaves are very good at absorbing carbon dioxide and produce fresh oxygen making it a great plant for air-purification.
It has a long lifespan as it can live for decades if well cared for. It does best in bright, diffused light or partial shade, watering when the top inch of soil has started to dry out which is usually every 7-10 days on average. Overall, a very interesting and aesthetically pleasing houseplant to add to your collection and the perfect choice for a bathroom.
Origins: Tropical Regions of India and Indonesia
Care Level: Medium
Toxicity: Toxic to humans and animals
Problems: Doesn’t like changes in temperature
The Ficus elastica 'Melany' is known for its striking dark-coloured, glossy leaves which are thick and robust. It tends to grow quite large, with a height that can vary from 1 to 2 metres, but it can grow much taller under good conditions.
It prefers a light to semi-shade location without direct sunlight, as this can damage the leaves. This plant is quite easy to care for and only requires moderate watering - it is better to give too little than too much water as the roots are sensitive to water-logging.
Overall, this plant will do well in many areas in your home and will contrast well with other greenery you may have. It’s a good idea to give the leaves a clean with a damp cloth or banana skin every few months. This will keep the foliage shiny and help the plant to best absorb sunlight for photosynthesis.
Origins: South America
Problems: Can be sensitive to tap-water, for best results use distilled or rain water
With distinctive markings, it's clear where this purrfect plant gets its name. Besides being gorgeous to look at, it's best known for its air-purifying qualities and striking appearance.
Place the Calathea Leopardina in your bedroom and enjoy watching as it opens its leaves in the morning and then closes them at night. Allow the soil to slightly dry out in between watering which is usually every 7-10 days and make sure not to over-water this plant. It does benefit from boosted humidity which will help to prevent brown tips on the leaf ends.
Origins: Tropical areas of South America, particularly in Brazil
Care Level: Medium/Hard
Problems: Very sensitive to fluctuating temperatures, lack of humidity, and doesn’t like saturated soil
The maidenhair fern is one of the most popular and well known indoor ferns with soft green, fan-shaped leaves making the plant very delicate to the touch. Grow your maidenhair fern in a spot that gets plenty of bright, indirect light but no direct sunshine.
It does best in a warm, humid room that’s around 15-21°C, away from drafts and radiators. Growing it in a bathroom or terrarium is ideal where humidity levels will be much higher. Keep the compost moist, but not wet, at all times, allowing any excess to drain away to prevent root rot.
To boost humidity you can mist regularly or stand on a dish of moist pebbles filled with water. The pebble tray method is great for moisture-loving plants like ferns or alternatively, use a humidifier which will help keep these plants happy and healthy.
Origins: Rainforests of Colombia
Problems: Leaves can turn brown/yellow quickly due to over watering
If you are looking for a flowering plant that will provide subtle colour for months on end, then the Anthurium ‘Vanilla’ is a perfect choice. It produces a good amount of creamy yellow flowers that are long lasting and look very natural.
Anthuriums thrive in locations with moderate to bright, indirect light conditions, although they have been known to adapt well to lower light levels. It’s best to allow the top of the soil to dry out slightly before watering. The plant will start to droop if it needs more water which is normally every 10-14 days for a desk sized plant.
Jordan Trainer is a Glasgow-based, indoor gardener specialising in specimen houseplants, commercial maintenance, installation, and mobile re-potting services. You can also find a great selection of houseplants at his Glasgow west end store Plantique which is open Friday-Sunday 11am-6pm. Keep up with Jordan on his website www.theplantguy.co.uk, Instagram @jordantheplantguy, and checkout his live plant sales on TikTok.