There’s no denying the love of indoor plants just keeps gaining momentum! Like fashion though, indoor plants also go through trends. So let’s check out what indoor plants are trending now and where you should use them in the home (plus a little plant care to help those of us with a black thumb!).
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1. Arrowhead (Syngonium)
The latest ‘It’ plant in interiors are Syngoniums! Available in all sorts of varieties, including with heart or arrow shaped leaves, green and white or pink and green colouring, you’ll be sure to find one to love.
Not only do these plants look spectacular, they’re also easy to care for making them a perfect choice for beginners or experienced plant parents alike.
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2. Olive tree (Olea Europaea)
Olea Europaea or the olive tree continues to gain popularity, especially as more earthy interiors are trending. These beauties are tough, drought hardy and of course, produce delicious olives!
Use a top quality potting mix to give your plant the best chance of survival. Be careful not to overwater — allow the top 5cm of soil to dry out before giving it another drink.
Check out how we used this gorgeous olive tree in a recent living room makeover.
Tip: Place your pot in a spot where it will get as much sunlight as possible and rotate every month so it can get an even amount of sunlight (kind of like a suntan for your plant!).
3. Money plant (Pilea Peperomiodes)
Still making the list of the top 10 trending indoor plants is the money plant. This dainty little plant has emerged as a firm favourite in the urban jungle world.
Trouble is, it’s very sensitive and easy to kill — we should know having just killed ours. Don’t let this put you off though, we’ve got this fab article from Pilea-caring expert to give you the best advice to keep yours alive.
The main cause of death is either over-watering (guilty!) or placing in direct sunlight. To avoid this, place the Pilea in a terracotta pot or one that drains well. Also look at using cactus soil rather than regular potting mix.
The unusual shape and leaves of the Pilea makes it a great accent plant to use on shelf styling, sideboard or windowsill. It also looks great in a hanging planter.
Tip: Place in a room with plenty of natural light but keep out of direct sunlight. It only needs a small amount of weekly watering.
4. Rubber plant (Ficus Elastica)
The ‘Rubber plant’ as it’s commonly known stands out for it’s dark green waxy leaves with hints of red. It looks great on its own or clustered amongst other plants.
Tip: Keep the leaves looking shiny and waxy by dusting them once a week with a damp cloth. Place in a room with plenty of natural light but keep out of direct sunlight. Only needs a small amount of weekly watering.
5. Swiss cheese plant (Monstera Deliciosa)
More commonly known as the ‘Swiss cheese plant’, the deep green waxy leaves of this luscious plant make it a bit of a Queen in the indoor plant world.
If you want to create a botanical or jungle vibe in your home, then this plant is a must. Place it in a pot that offers good drainage and amp up the jungle look by placing the pot in a large woven basket.
Tip: This low maintenance plant is suitable for any room of the home, provided it’s out of direct sunlight. Only needs weekly watering.
6. Prayer plant (Calathea)
The prayer plant stems from the Amazon jungle and is a striking addition to any bathroom. Just check out those stripy leaves!
You can position the plant in any shaded or semi-shaded area of your home such as the hallway or a south-facing bedroom — just be aware the sound of the leaves unfolding may give you a fright in the evening or early morning!
Tip: This plant likes an environment that resembles a tropical rainforest so think warm, humid but not direct sunlight. Water generously twice a week during warmer months and mist the leaves frequently.
7. Aloe vera (Aloe Barbadensis Miller)
There are around 350 types of aloe in the Aloaceae family — ranging in colour, leaf shape and size, pattern, and overall plant size too.
Aloe vera is one of the easiest house plants ever though and is said to have great healing properties. The gel of the leaves can be used to treat wounds and burns, or simply having them in your home improves air quality and can help with insomnia too.
Tip: Give this plant as much direct sunlight as possible and plant in a pot with good drainage. If you want your aloe plant to bloom, fertilise at least monthly and remove any baby plants so it can put its energy into making flowers.
8. Carrion flower (Stapelia)
A succulent with serious personality, the cactus-like leaves of this plant are statement enough… but if you’re lucky it will also bloom, like Igor’s plant below is doing for the second time this year!
These plants can be a little more challenging to grow and do require fertilising, especially if you want it to flower, so probably not the best choice for beginners.
Tip: Water moderately and allow soil to dry out before watering again during warmer months and do not water during winter.
9. Devil’s ivy (Pothos)
This one just HAD to make the list not only because it’s a gorgeous trailing plant, but also due to the fact that it is SO easy to grow. And this is coming from a team of people guilty of killing many an indoor plant!
This trailing vine has pointed, heart-shaped green leaves and comes in a range of variegated colours like white, yellow, or pale green.
Give your pothos well draining soil and pop in a bright spot out of direct sunlight. If leaves go pale, your plant might be getting too much sun.
Tip: Try your hand at propagating your devil’s ivy with our step-by-step guide here. We’ve even got a short video explaining how simple it is!
10. Chain of pearls (Senecio Rowleyanus)
Chain of pearls are a super cute creeping succulent vine that look incredible in hanging planters.
The vines of a larger plant can simply be snapped off and potted to create child plants, so you can propagate a large plant easily.
Tip: Avoid root rot by placing in a pot that offers good drainage and don’t over water. If you’re questioning whether to water the plant or not, don’t! And use succulent or cactus soil.
What’s your favourite indoor plant right now? Tell us in the comments below!
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This article was originally published in October 2017 and continues to be updated with new information and images.
Great list Gina, some new ones on there I hadn’t considered. I also like ferns (all kinds!), pythos and the watermelon peperomia.
I loooove ferms too Kamila but I cannot keep them alive no matter what I do 🙁 Any fern plant care tips you can share, please hit me!
Try fish ferns! They grow like weeds and are VERY hard to kill
Thanks for the tip Celeste 🙂