COLUMNIST: jordan TRAINER
I hope you find this helpful and if you have any plant questions or suggestions please get in touch, or visit my shop Plantique.
Here are the next five plants I’d love to share with you.
Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum ‘Lemon’
Origins: Native to South Africa
Care Level: Easy
Toxicity: Spider plants are non-toxic to humans and pets, and were successful in the NASA Clean Air Study at removing harmful pollutants in the air.
Problems: Leaf tips can easily go brown due to an improper watering schedule which can cause some cosmetic damage to the plant. They can also be susceptible to mealybugs and spider mites so best to check regularly for potential pest issues.
Notes: This plant likes a spot further away from bright windows, but still lit by natural light. Enjoys moist well drained soil with added perlite for drainage. Expect to see moderate growth during the growing season from March-October. Water when top layer of soil is dry to the touch. Once watered, allow the excess to drain out the bottom of the pot.
Botanical Name: Oxalis triangularis
Origins: Peru to Brazil and North Argentina
Care Level: Medium
Toxicity: Poisonous to humans, cats, and dogs if ingested.
Problems: Can die back indoors during the winter months and be easily mistaken as dead but it will come back after a period of dormancy.
Notes: A clump-forming, bulbous perennial between 15-30cm tall when in flower, with clover-like, triangular leaves which are green or dark purple with flushes of white or pale pink flowers in the summer months.
Botanical Name: Platycerium bifurcatum
Origins: Native to rainforests of Java, New Guinea, and southeastern Australia
Toxicity: Safe for humans, cats, and dogs if accidentally ingested.
Problems: Avoid direct sun which can easily burn the leaves causing them to appear brown and crispy.
Notes: An evergreen, epiphytic plant which means it naturally relies on another host plant, such as a tree, to which to attach itself and from which to gain water and nutrients. In an indoor environment, the Staghorn Fern can be grown in a pot on its own or attached to cork bark and moss on a wall to create a more natural look where the leaves grow much bigger and hang down, resembling deer antlers, which is why it is known as the Staghorn Fern. It’s a very striking plant and definitely one for any plant lover’s collection!
Botanical Name: Peperomia caperata ‘Red Luna’
Origins: Brazil
Problems: This plant has very fine, shallow roots which can be susceptible to root rot if over-watered.
Notes: Peperomia Caperata ‘Red Luna’ prefers bright, indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves, so it’s best to keep it away from windows that receive direct sunlight. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering. It’s very slow growing and will be happy in a smaller pot for several years.
Botanical Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Origins: East Africa
Problems: Can be prone to root-rot if the soil is too wet or waterlogged. This causes the leaves to discolour, yellow, and stems to break away from the main plant.
Notes: A great indoor air purifier, filtering out airborne toxins such as xylene, toluene, and benzene. ZZs are easy to propagate from division or leaf cuttings and overall very drought tolerant, requiring minimal care and upkeep. An ideal plant for beginners!
Jordan Trainer is a Glasgow-based, indoor gardener specialising in specimen houseplants, commercial maintenance, installation, and mobile re-potting services. You can 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 Instagram page @jordantheplantguy, on his website www.theplantguy.co.uk, and checkout his live plant sales on TikTok.