Strong, healthy plants
In the 50+ years I’ve spent in the nursery and garden industry, I’ve seen many trends come and go. The one that has truly changed the way we garden is happening right now.
We have invited plants to come and live with us in our homes. While indoor plants have been around for hundreds of years in Europe and the UK — where grand homes had glasshouses attached — plants also found their way indoors through the parlour, a formal meeting room for guests.
The most commonly used plant was the Parlour Palm, and today it is still the best indoor plant I know. It was also the number one seller in my nurseries.
Growing plants indoors is a little different from outdoor gardening. Indoor plants rely 100 per cent on your ability to look after them.
John’s Tips for Indoor Plants
Before choosing a plant, decide where it will live:
Is the light bright, medium, or low?
Will it be inside your home, in an outdoor living area, or on a balcony?
Can you move plants occasionally to rest them in a very shady area of the garden?
Remember: an indoor plant placed suddenly in direct sun will burn. Once leaves are damaged, that is often the end of a favourite plant.
Find a nursery that will help you choose the right plant for your situation.
The 10 Best Indoor Plants (Easy to Look After)
There are hundreds of indoor plants available today. Tissue culture has allowed us to bring in hundreds of new varieties from all over the world. These ten are reliable favourites:
Parlour Palm – Every home should have one.
Pothos – Been around forever, now with many new varieties.
Dracaena – Happy, tall plants that make a strong statement.
Anthurium – Beautiful flowers and glossy leaves.
Rhapis Palm – The king of indoor plants; stunning, expensive, and long-lived.
Aglaonema – Amazing leaf colours; low growing and happy in medium light.
Orchids – Better than a bunch of flowers. Most flower for 6–8 weeks, then can be moved to a shady spot in the garden. With a little care and liquid fish fertiliser, they will flower again next year.
Cacti – Very different but spectacular. Interesting shapes, small flowers, and minimal water. Best near a sunny window. With a fish tank, you can create an indoor cactus garden — they look fabulous. Use strong gloves when handling.
Peace Lily – Large, soft green leaves with stunning white flowers. Medium light is ideal.
Zanzibar Gem (ZZ Plant) – If all else fails, this is the plant you should never be able to kill. It survives low light, neglect, and tough conditions. With a little TLC, it will grow into a stunning plant.
Care Basics
All indoor plants need liquid fertiliser at least every second month.
There is no single rule for watering — every variety is different, and location matters.
When repotting, always buy top-grade potting mix. This is the key to growing strong, healthy plants.
Do you have a gardening question for John?
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