The Kew Gardener’s Guide to Growing House Plants

Plants

FERN

Delta maidenhair fern

Adiantum raddianum

These delicate, lacy plants that hail from the humid, shady forests of tropical America are the perfect bathroom plant, thriving in the steamy air. Look out for A. raddianum ‘Fragrantissimum’, with its lush, sweetly scented foliage, and the filigree A.r. ‘Micropinnulum’.

WHERE TO GROW

The graceful, drooping fronds make delta maidenhair fern a lovely choice for a shelf, basket or plant stand in a humid kitchen or bathroom; it also loves the humid atmosphere of a tropical terrarium (see Miniature rainforest).

HOW TO GROW

Use loam-based compost, which holds moisture better than multipurpose compost. Water the plant at its base. Mist regularly or place the pot on a tray of pebbles and water. Feed once a month from spring to autumn, with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Watering can be reduced in winter but keep humidity levels up. Remove scruffy growth at the base.

GROWING TIP

VIVID CHOICES
Look out for the new hybrids with their red, pink or peach colouring, such as Aglaonema ‘Pink Dalmatian’. They do, however, need a brighter spot, as too much shade makes their colours fade.

PROJECT 1

Several steps up

Stepladders are a simple and stylish way to display plants, and the taller they are the more plants you can show off. Make use of the different heights by placing a range of textures and leaf shapes where they can be grown best. Position the softer-leaved, friendlier plants such as ferns, asparagus fern and spider plants where they can be touched and where it does not matter if they are gently brushed against. Place more fragile or spikier specimens higher up.

PLANTS FOR THE LOWER SHELVES

Asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceus)

Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Button fern (Pellaea rotundifolia)

Cretan brake fern (Pteris cretica)

Delta maidenhair fern (Adiantum raddianum)

Foxtail fern (Asparagus densiflorus)

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’)

PLANTS FOR THE TOP SHELVES

Barbados aloe (Aloe vera)

Black aeonium (Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’)

Bunny-ears cactus (Opuntia microdasys)

Golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)

Old man cactus (Cephalocereus senilis)

Pincushion cactus (Mammillaria)

Pineapple (Ananas comosus)

1 The soft, feathery foliage of asparagus fern cries out to be touched.

2 Soothe burnt skin with the cooling gel of Barbados aloe. Cut a leaf at the base and slice into segments, then hold each upside down to release the gel.

3 The succulent, spiky-edged leaves of Barbados aloe are easily bruised and broken, so place this plant at the top of the display ladder.

4 Fill each step with plants or else stagger them up the ladder.

FOLIAGE

Amazonian elephant’s ear

Alocasia x amazonica aka African mask, jewel alocasia

An exotic showstopper with huge, arrow-shaped leaves that are glossy, wavy and heavily marked along the veins and margins in white. These are real head-turners, but they are trickier to grow than many other house plants, demanding constant warmth, humidity and moisture.

WHERE TO GROW

Amazonian elephant’s ear prefers indirect light but not shade – if in too dark a spot, plants can become elongated and floppy. A warm, light kitchen or steamy bathroom would be ideal. Keep out of draughts and away from radiators.

HOW TO GROW

Mist leaves every day to keep humidity levels up. The rhizome will rot if kept too wet so water lightly, using rain- or filtered water, every couple of days from spring to autumn. In winter, allow the compost to dry out completely between watering. Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every few weeks from spring to autumn. Repot every couple of years.

GROWING TIP

Wipe the foliage regularly to keep it dust-free and glossy (see also Natural air fresheners).

CONFUSING NAME
Although Alocasia comes from the forests of Asia and Australia, A. x amazonica is a horticultural hybrid named after the nursery where it was developed – it is not from the Amazon!

Alocasia longiloba

SUCCULENT

Barbados aloe

Aloe vera aka Curaçao aloe

Barbados aloes are tough plants, making them brilliantly undemanding and easy to look after. Their rosettes of spiky, fleshy leaves provide architectural interest and, if growing well, striking flower spikes of yellow blooms are borne in summer. Their plump leaves contain a translucent gel that soothes sore, irritated or burnt skin; to access it, just snip off a leaf (see here). Partridge breast aloe (A. variegata) is lovely, too, with blotchy, stripy leaves.

WHERE TO GROW

The fleshy leaves are used to arid conditions so a warm, sunny, even south-facing windowsill above a radiator suits Barbados aloe well.

HOW TO GROW

Grow in a free-draining, 50:50 mix of potting compost and grit, perlite or sand. Water well and then allow the compost to almost dry out before watering again. Over winter, reduce watering to just once a month. Feed a couple of times in the growing season.

GROWING TIP

Move plants outside in summer. The fresh air will give them a boost.

AIR FRESHENER
Barbados aloe is one of the top plants for purifying the air in your home, absorbing benzene and formaldehyde (see also Natural air fresheners).

BROMELIAD

Pineapple

Ananas comosus

This knock-out feature plant has dense rosettes of prickly edged, strappy leaves. After yellow and purple flowers it will produce your very own pineapple fruit from the centre, although this is purely ornamental and inedible with a bitter taste. Ananas comosus var. variegatus has yellow-and-green-striped leaves.

WHERE TO GROW

The floor or a tabletop in a warm, bright room would make a better home than a shelf, which might cramp the arching leaves.

HOW TO GROW

Grow in a 50:50 mix of orchid compost and multipurpose compost. Plants need high humidity to fruit so mist every day or grow on a tray of wet pebbles. Water well in spring and summer and then reduce to keeping the compost just moist in winter. Give a liquid feed every two weeks in the growing season. Baby offsets at the base can be removed and grown on into new plants (see here).

GROWING TIP

If your plant is getting too large, restrict its size by growing it in a heavy stone pot 15cm/6in in diameter.

Wipe leaves weekly with a damp cloth, to keep them dust-free (see Natural air fresheners).

GLORY DAYS REVIVED
A Victorian favourite, cast-iron plant fell out of favour but is back in fashion thanks to its easy-going nature.

FERN

Bird’s nest fern

Asplenium nidus aka shield fern

Handsome rosettes of shiny, strappy fronds form an upright shuttlecock with new baby fronds curled up in the base. The fronds of A. nidus ‘Crispy Wave’ are attractively crinkled and ruffled along the edges.

WHERE TO GROW

A north- or east-facing window is ideal, provided that this easy-to-grow plant is out of draughts and bright light. Its need for humidity makes the bathroom the perfect choice.

HOW TO GROW

Mist plants every day, particularly in winter, or place each on a saucer of wet pebbles. Feed every other week from spring to early autumn. Wipe the fronds regularly to keep them shiny and free from dust (see Natural air fresheners). Repot in spring every couple of years.

GROWING TIP

Water the edge of the compost rather than over the fronds, which can cause the rosette to rot.

FROND FUNCTION
Unlike in other ferns, the fronds are not divided but entire and are excellent at helping to purify the air.

PALM

Ponytail palm

Beaucarnea recurvata aka elephant’s foot

Ponytail palm is a truly star plant with its distinctive bulbous stem, or caudex, and shock of narrow leaves. At home in the arid deserts of Mexico, the swollen caudex is an adaptation for storing water during drought, so this easy-to-grow plant will forgive a long holiday or missed watering.

WHERE TO GROW

Give the ponytail palm a bright, sunny spot.

HOW TO GROW

Grow in a free-draining compost with an equal quantity of perlite or grit mixed in. Water plants once a week in the growing season. Allow plants to dry out completely over winter. Being slow-growing – it can live for hundreds of years in the wild – ponytail palm does not need repotting very often.

GROWING TIP

This plant likes a snug home in a pot only slightly bigger than the width of its stem.

COMMON NAME ANOMALY
The ponytail palm is actually closely related to the yucca (see here).

PROJECT 2

Making a decorative screen

Windowsills are a predictable place to grow house plants, but why not use these plants as a screen to provide privacy or to mask an unsightly view? Such a green barrier is particularly useful in bathrooms and bedrooms, or any room that is overlooked, and it will instill a feeling of calm.

Plants that have an upright habit but will not block out too much light are key to a successful decorative screen, so opt for plants such as snake plant, cast-iron plant, fern arum and asparagus fern – choosing your plants according to the light levels at your window.

Traditional window boxes work well – just be sure to block off any drainage holes with silica gel to stop water leaking out, or else line your sill with plants in individual pots. If using a trough as a cover pot, drop your plants into it, staggering them so they make a dense screen.

1 When planting into a trough, add a layer of gravel or grit to the base to help with drainage and to improve air flow. Then half fill with compost. Remove each plant (here, Sansevieria bacularis ‘Mikado’) from its pot and set so it is at the correct depth.

2 Insert the remaining plants, then fill and top off with compost and firm down. Water the plants in well.

FOLIAGE

Painted-leaf begonia

Begonia species

Very different beasts to their brash bedding plant cousins these are beautiful foliage plants with bold spots and swirls, stripes and splashes. There are hundreds of forms to choose from, many hybrids of B. rex, but there are also cane-stemmed types, which are taller and have larger flowers.

WHERE TO GROW

These are plants that need to be seen close up, so grow them in a prominent spot on a table or sideboard that is away from draughts and the drying heat of a radiator, particularly in winter.

HOW TO GROW

Raise humidity around plants by placing each on a saucer of pebbles and water rather than misting the leaves, which are susceptible to powdery mildew. Feed every couple of weeks in the growing season with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, switching to a high-potash one when buds appear on forms grown for their flowers. Allow the compost to dry out between watering in winter.

GROWING TIP

Cane-stemmed types may need staking to stop plants flopping over.

COMMON ANCESTOR
Begonia semperflorens (now called B. cucullata), illustrated here, is the ancestor of the common bedding begonia, first described in 1829.

CACTUS

Old man cactus

Cephalocereus senilis aka monkey cactus, old man’s head

This woolly cactus with its white, old man’s beard is a favourite among house plant growers, thanks to its striking, columnar looks. The hairs insulate it against frost and extreme heat, and may also conceal formidable spines.

WHERE TO GROW

Give this a sunny windowsill – the brighter the spot the more the hairs (which protect it from the heat) will grow, but shield it from the intense heat of the sun through the glass in summer.

HOW TO GROW

Use a coarse, free-draining compost mix (see Compost mixes). Water from the bottom to protect old man cactus from rotting, and in winter water only every few weeks. Repot plants every other year, in spring.

GROWING TIP

Too little light causes the stem to elongate and grow thin so keep it in a bright spot, especially in winter.

In the wild, baby plantlets root whenever they touch soil. Grow on such plantlets by planting them into individual pots of compost (see here).

CHOICE SETTINGS
Spider plant is perfect for a hanging basket or when grown cascading over a shelf.

FLOWERING

Natal lily

Clivia miniata

Natal lilies are beautiful, clump-forming plants. Their strappy, deep green leaves form a showy, layered bulbous stem as they grow. Jubilant, tall spikes of trumpet flowers in orange or red are borne from mid-spring to late summer and are followed by large berries containing fleshy seeds. Look for butter-yellow-flowered C. miniata var. citrina. Natal lily exudes an irritating sap so wear gloves when handling the plants.

WHERE TO GROW

Through spring and summer grow it in a warm room, but during winter transfer it to a cooler spot, at just 10°C/50°F, to allow the plant to rest and to promote flowering. Keep away from the dry heat of a radiator.

HOW TO GROW

Plant so that the neck of the bulbous root is just above the surface of the compost. Give a low-strength general feed every month from spring to autumn. Stop watering in winter and move to a cooler room until flower buds are spotted; then place back in the warmth, c.16°C/61°F. Cut flower spikes off at the base as they fade.

GROWING TIP

BE ALERT
The common name dumb cane comes from the toxic sap in the leaves and stems, which causes swelling and blistering in the mouth if eaten and can be severe enough to prevent speaking and swallowing.

PROJECT 3

A shallow bowl of succulents

Drought-loving succulents with their plump, fleshy leaves provide us with a whole host of dramatic shapes, textures and colours. They are also undemanding, easy plants to grow that love a warm, bright spot, making them ideal for growing together in an attractive planter in the heat of a sunny windowsill. Use a mix of your favourite succulents but select a large focal plant such as a jade plant or black aeonium, to add height and draw the eye.

Add a good layer of gravel to the base of a container with plenty of drainage holes, to help improve air flow and drainage and prevent your plants from sitting in water. Use a free-draining cactus compost or make your own (see here).

Plant your focal plant first and then add the rest, leaving room between plants for them to grow. Use your fingers to firm the compost around each plant. Pretty pebbles, shells and stones will help to personalize your display. Move your succulents to a bright spot near a window and water only when the compost feels completely dry.

GOOD SUCCULENTS FOR DISPLAY

Barbados aloe (Aloe vera)

Black aeonium (Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’)

Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’

Jade plant (Crassula ovata)

Mexican gem (Echeveria elegans) and others

Moonstone (Pachyphytum oviferum)

String of pearls (Kleinia rowleyana)

1 Assemble your succulents (here, Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’ and Echeveria), compost, grit, a suitable container and a decorative gravel or horticultural grit for topdressing that contrasts well with the container.

2 Make a free-draining mix to suit your succulents (see here).

3 Remove each plant from its pot and gently tease out its roots, to encourage growth. Place it in the compost and firm well.

MEAGRE FARE
Cape sundew is good at catching midges, mosquitoes and small houseflies, although it can survive on just two or three insects a month.

PALM

Golden cane palm

Dypsis lutescens aka Areca palm, butterfly palm

A graceful, tufted palm with arching, feathery fronds, this is a popular plant that is cultivated extensively in gardens in warm climates.

WHERE TO GROW

These palms make wonderful focal points in a hallway or living area. A bright spot will enhance the yellow in their upright stems and intensify the lush, green fronds.

HOW TO GROW

Golden cane palm dislikes sitting with soggy roots, so tip excess water away. It prefers a humid life so mist every day or two. Feed twice a month in spring and summer. Repot in spring when plants are pot-bound.

GROWING TIP

Be prepared to water your plant often as it transpires heavily, losing 1 litre/13/4 pints of water in just twenty-four hours.

STAR BILLING
Golden cane palm is rated by NASA as one of the best plants for removing indoor air pollution (see also Natural air fresheners).

PROJECT 4

Carnivorous vase

Carnivorous plants are an intriguing group that are much easier to look after than you might think. Most of them simply require boggy, slightly humid conditions and a sunny spot. They can be grown individually in a pot and saucer, but as most have similar cultural needs they can also be planted together to make a fascinating feature. Collections look good when grown in low troughs or shallow planters, but are also happy in large glass vessels such as this round, fishbowl-style vase.

Carnivorous plants are fussy about soil and demand moisture-retentive, ericaceous soil so use a specialist carnivorous compost mix or make your own peat-free potting mix (see here). Such plants need to be kept constantly moist from spring to autumn, so line and topdress your container with moss to help to retain water and give plants the boggy conditions they love. Carnivorous plants are also very sensitive to water type. The minerals and salts in tap water, particularly hard water, will build up and eventually kill them so always collect and use rainwater to water them with. Carnivorous plants do not require feeding.

CARNIVOROUS PLANTS FOR A VASE

Cape sundew (Drosera capensis)

North American pitcher plant (Sarracenia flava)

Venus fly trap (Dionaea muscipula)

1 Line the vase base and sides with moss.

2 Add a generous layer of carnivorous compost.

3 Remove each plant (here, North American pitcher plant) from its container.

4 Plant in the compost. Fill in around the plants with more compost if necessary and firm down, to remove any air pockets.

5 Topdress with a layer of moss.

PROJECT 5

Desert islands

All cacti and succulents have strong individual textures, from fleshy leaves to spiky stems, and a great way to show off their many different shapes and sizes is to group them together. To reinforce the relationship between them and to draw the eye to the individual plants rather than distract from them, select pots that are exactly the same or very similar. Here, I have chosen simple, white pots as a contrast to the plants and to highlight the variations in their textures and form, and have then drawn them all together by standing them within a large stone platter. Each pot has also been topdressed with crushed oyster shell, which sets off the plants and helps to keep moisture away from their stems. Place the display in a sunny spot.

Water your desert plants only when their compost is dry, taking care not to splash the plants. Leave them to dry out completely between mid-autumn and early spring.

PLANTS FOR A DESERT DISPLAY

African spear (Sansevieria cylindrica)

Bunny-ears cactus (Opuntia microdasys)

Golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)

Old man cactus (Cephalocereus senilis)

Pincushion cactus (Mammillaria species)

Sansevieria kirkii ‘Silver Blue’

Zebra cactus (Haworthia fasciata)

1 When repotting, wrap newspaper around spiky cacti (here, Pilosocereus pachycladus), to avoid getting prickled.

2 Use a small, soft paintbrush to carefully clean away excess compost or grit from plants (here, Mammillaria elongata).

3 The distinct, white stripes of Haworthia fasciata ‘Alba’ match the pots beautifully.

4 Sansevieria kirkii ‘Silver Blue’ has a low, spreading habit and is perfect for the front of a display.

5 The trick to harmonizing your display is to grow the cacti in matching containers.

FOLIAGE

Devil’s ivy

Epipremnum aureum aka golden pothos, silver vine, scindapsus, Ceylon creeper

The perfect plant for nervous growers, this tough, easy plant will still reward the odd forgotten watering with its trailing stems and large, marbled, heart-shaped leaves.

WHERE TO GROW

Lovely in a hanging basket or cascading from a shelf, these quick growers can equally be trained to grow up a moss pole. In a group these rampant plants are a great way to screen areas, too. Keep away from draughts and the drying heat of a radiator. Also position plants away from pets, as all parts of devil’s ivy are toxic.

HOW TO GROW

Grow in multipurpose potting compost. Water year-round, keeping the compost moist except in winter, when it should be just moist. Take care not to overwater, which causes rot. Feed plants monthly in the growing season. Repot every couple of years.

GROWING TIP

New plants are easily propagated in spring from stem cuttings (see here).

CLEANER AIR
Devil’s ivy is excellent at removing toxins and chemicals such as formaldehyde, xylene and benzene from the air (see also Natural air fresheners).

SUCCULENT

Candelabra plant

Euphorbia lactea ‘Cristata’ aka cactus euphorbia

Candelabra plant is actually a combination of two plants (Euphorbia lactea and E. neriifolia) grafted together to create this brain-like habit. Such striking, sculptural plants – more cactus-like than succulent in appearance – have modified stems (as opposed to the modified leaves of cacti) that have developed into thorns.

WHERE TO GROW

A south-facing windowsill suits this weird-looking plant, but protect it from midday rays in the height of summer.

HOW TO GROW

Grow in a coarse, free-draining cactus compost mix so that water can drain away freely; never leave plants sitting in water. In winter, keep the compost almost dry. Feed monthly during active growth.

GROWING TIP

VITAL COLOUR
The purple undersides to the leaves is an environmental adaptation that helps plants catch the dim light within the forest.

Goeppertia zebrina

BROMELIAD

Scarlet star

Guzmania lingulata aka tufted air plant, tongue-shaped guzmania

The dazzling flower spike of this epiphyte is its main attraction, with vibrant scarlet and orange bracts shooting from the centre of the rosette of glossy, green leaves. Small, white and yellow flowers can be seen within. There are many hybrids and cultivars with yellow, orange and purple bracts.

WHERE TO GROW

Grow on a table or shelf, rather than on a windowsill – the beautiful flowers and striking leaves make this a perfect centrepiece. Plants can also be tied to bark or a piece of wood and bound with moss.

HOW TO GROW

Grow it in a 50:50 mix of orchid compost and multipurpose compost. Keep the central well topped up with rain-, filtered or distilled water so that it is always at least 2cm/3/4in full. Mist the whole plant – leaves, bracts, flowers and aerial roots – daily. Feed once a month with a diluted liquid feed watered into the well; tip this out after a few days and replace with rainwater.

GROWING TIP

Scarlet star is happiest when its roots are snug, and this helps promote flowering.

BORN ANEW
Like other bromeliads, scarlet star dies after flowering, but not before producing offsets at the base. These can be grown on into new plants.

PROJECT 6

Hanging gardens

Suspending plants in the air is a great way to make the most of every bit of space in a room; they draw the eye upwards, too, so the room feels bigger. Suitable containers for hanging come in all sorts of designs and materials, from ceramic and metal to the glass planters shown here. Or you can buy or make your own macramé-style hangers, to slip pots into. Remember that plants are heavier after watering, so make sure that hanging materials are strong enough to hold them.

All hanging planters are best used as cover pots rather than final containers, to avoid plants sitting in water. This also makes watering easier and prevents accidental splashes of water over the floor and furniture. Before watering, remove each plant from its hanging planter; having watered it, allow it to drain, then replace in the planter.

PLANTS FOR HANGING GARDENS

Creeping fig (Ficus pumila)

Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum)

Donkey’s tail (Sedum morganianum)

Heart leaf (Philodendron scandens)

Mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera)

Silver-inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina) and others

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’)

Staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)

String of hearts (Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii)

String of pearls (Kleinia rowleyana)

Wax flower (Hoya carnosa)

1 Mist plants such as this mistletoe cactus regularly, to keep humidity levels high.

2 Secure plants from hooks in the ceiling, rafters or shelves, or suspend them from a curtain pole or coat rack.

3 Tradescantia ‘Green Hill’ makes a striking feature plant with its pretty, white flowers and leaves that are purple underneath.

FOLIAGE

Polka dot plant

Hypoestes phyllostachya aka flamingo plant, freckle face, baby’s tears

These jaunty little plants are brightly spotted with pink, red, light green or white speckles on their heart-shaped leaves – there are many cultivars (and some can look a little gaudy). They are undemanding but relatively short-lived and get tattier with age so eventually need replacing.

WHERE TO GROW

Above the kitchen sink or in a bathroom are ideal spots, but place them back from a window. However, if set in too dark a spot, the leaves can revert to solid green. These are great plants for growing in a terrarium (see Miniature rainforest).

HOW TO GROW

Polka dot plant needs the top of its compost to dry out between waterings in the growing season. Mist plants every few days, group with others or stand on a tray of pebbles and water, to keep humidity levels up. Feed every two weeks from spring to autumn. In winter, keep compost just moist. After a couple of years, plants will flower in summer and then slip into a dormant phase – just reduce watering until new shoots appear.

GROWING TIP

Pinch out the stem tips to encourage a bushier, neater plant.

WATCH OUT
Plants seed freely outside, and garden escapees in warmer countries have made polka dot plant an invasive weed.

FLOWERING

Jasmine

Jasminum polyanthum aka scented Chinese jasmine, pink jasmine vine

The star-shaped blooms have an intoxicating scent that is particularly heady at night, and the lobed, deep green leaves make this the prefect package. For a little more variety, J. polyanthum ‘Variegata’ has creamy yellow-edged leaves.

WHERE TO GROW

Keep away from draughts and radiators, particularly in winter. Too warm a room will prevent the plant from flowering. These vigorous growers will twine themselves around hoops or up supports.

HOW TO GROW

Water plants regularly in spring and summer, particularly when plants are in bud and flower. After that, allow them to dry out a little. Feed every two weeks, from spring to autumn. Plants prefer to be tightly packed into their pots, so repot them only when young; topdress larger plants with fresh compost.

GROWING TIP

To ensure plants flower again, prune jasmine hard after flowering, reducing the main stems and side shoots to 2–3cm/3/4–11/4in.

Young plants will thrive in a humid terrarium or bottle garden (see Miniature rainforest).

FOLDING FOLIAGE
The common name prayer plant derives from the way the leaves, which are flat and open during the day, endearingly fold together at night, like hands in prayer.

Maranta leuconeura var. massangeana

PROJECT 7

Windowsill propagation

Many house plants can be propagated as leaf cuttings rooted in compost (see here) or in water. Using the latter technique they make a lovely temporary display while rooting. Even plants that cannot be increased in this way but have beautiful leaves can be chosen to create a vibrant and interesting water garden. Display them in plain or coloured glasses, small bottles or pretty vases that are in proportion to the leaf cuttings and position them on a windowsill or shelf, or group them as a centrepiece for your table.

PLANTS THAT MAKE GOOD CUT LEAVES

Asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceus)

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum) – also roots in water

Devil’s root (Epipremnum aureum) – also roots in water

Dwarf umbrella tree (Schefflera arboricola)

Fern arum (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Foxtail fern (Asparagus densiflorus)

Goeppertia ‘Whitestar’

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)

Peacock plant (Goeppertia makoyana)

Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana)

Rose grape (Medinilla magnifica)

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’) – also roots in water

String of hearts (Philodendron xanadu) – also roots in water

1 Remove a leaf (here, devil’s root) from the base or stem of the plant and cut it to size, at a 45-degree angle, so that it sits comfortably in its glass. Such an angled cut maximizes the amount of water absorbed.

2 Half fill a glass or vase with water and place the leaf cutting with others in a group (here, fern arum, peace lily, spider plant and Amazonian elephant’s ear).

3 Change the water every few days, to keep it fresh, and replace spent leaves when needed.

4 Once roots have formed in the water, you can plant rooted stems straight into compost in a new pot or else leave them as they are in the water.

FLOWERING

Rose grape

Medinilla magnifica aka pink lantern, Philippines orchid

When this truly exceptional plant blooms it stops you in your tracks. The large, heavily veined, deep green leaves are wonderful on their own, but the hanging, lipstick-pink, papery bracts and flowers are something else. It is called rose grape after the pink flower buds that hang from its bracts, like bunches of tiny grapes.

WHERE TO GROW

Grow this epiphyte in a tall pot or on a shelf so that it can dangle over the edge. An east- or west-facing window is ideal; just make sure it still gets plenty of light in winter.

HOW TO GROW

Plant in orchid compost, and water from below (see here). Raise the humidity by misting the leaves every other day or by growing on a tray of pebbles and water. Feed every two weeks from spring to summer. In winter, water just enough to stop the compost drying out completely; resume more regular watering when flowers stems are visible. Deadhead the blooms as they fade.

GROWING TIP

Encourage this plant to reach its fully mature size by repotting it every two to three years. It should grow to a magnificent 1m/39in tall and wide.

REGAL NOTE
In the 1990s, King Baudouin of Belgium was so devoted to rose grape that he grew it in his conservatories and they were depicted on the Belgian 10,000 franc note.

FOOD ALERT
Although false shamrock has a tangy lemony flavour and makes a colourful addition to salads or pesto, it should be eaten in moderation because of the oxalic acid it contains.

PROJECT 8

Picture perfect

Many house plants that are grown for their spectacular foliage are as eye-catching as a work of art, and if you snip off a leaf and insert it in a frame it can become one. When hung in a window, plants with thinner leaves will allow the light to shine through, illuminating their colours; or select intricately shaped foliage and lean your frame against a wall, to create striking silhouettes.

Use specialist frames that have two pieces of glass, or simply buy two cheap frames and use the glass from both instead of the backing board in just one frame. You can flatten thicker leaves first between the pages of a heavy book protected by baking paper.

As leaves fade, replace them with fresh ones or allow them to take on sepia hues for a different look.

PLANTS FOR PICTURE FRAMES

Amazonian elephant’s ear (Alocasia x amazonica)

Bellmore sentry palm (Howea forsteriana)

Bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus)

Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Button fern (Pellaea rotundifolia)

Cretan brake fern (Pteris cretica)

Delta maidenhair fern (Adiantum raddianum)

False shamrock (Oxalis triangularis)

Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana)

String of hearts (Philodendron xanadu)

Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa)

1 Lay your chosen leaves (here, Boston fern, bird’s nest fern and delta maidenhair fern) carefully on the bottom pane of glass and then gently lower the top pane on to them. Line up the panes and slide them into the frame

2 Press down firmly, then seal the frame and hang it in a window so that the leaf textures are lit up as sunlight shines through them.

SUCCULENT

Moonstone

Pachyphytum oviferum aka sugar almond plant

Moonstone has plump, fleshy leaves that are the shape of pebbles (hence the common name) or sugared almonds nestled on the surface of the compost. They are a pretty, greeny blue with a dusty bloom. In late winter, long stems burst from the centre of the leaf whorl bearing striking, pink flowers surrounded by fleshy, greeny grey sepals.

WHERE TO GROW

Position on or near a sunny windowsill, especially in winter when light levels are naturally low.

HOW TO GROW

Grow in a free-draining cactus compost mix (see Cacti and succulents) so that water can flow away from the roots. Water plants from below (see here) so that water does not mark the leaves. These plants are in active growth in winter so step up the watering during winter months.

GROWING TIP

Repot after flowering only when plants are root-bound.

DERIVATION
Pachyphytum oviferum literally means ‘thick plant bearing eggs’.

Pachyphytum longifolium

FLOWERING

Geranium

Pelargonium species

They are easy to look after, forgiving of the odd dry spell. Popular types include those with scented foliage, zonal pelargoniums with their dark ring markings on the leaves and regal pelargoniums, which have clusters of large flowers.

WHERE TO GROW

An east- or west-facing windowsill is ideal, to avoid scorching midday sun in summer.

HOW TO GROW

Plants like good drainage so add a handful of grit or perlite to the compost when planting. Water plants well, making sure you do not get water on the leaves or flowers. In winter, water sparingly, keeping the compost almost dry. Feed with a general fertilizer every couple of weeks in spring and then with a high-potash one in summer, to promote flowering. Repot in spring.

GROWING TIP

Geraniums are naturally bushy and should be cut back in early spring, before growth begins, to encourage branching.

LONG-LIVED FLOWERS
Nearly all Pelargonium species are indigenous to semi-desert parts southern Africa. Many will flower in winter as well as summer, if grown indoors.

FERN

Button fern

Pellaea rotundifolia aka New Zealand cliff brake

This charming, little fern has tufted, arching fronds made up of small, button-shaped leaves. It has a light, delicate air and adds a lovely symmetry to group displays and plantings. Endemic to the forests and scrub of New Zealand, it does not need the high humidity and constant moisture that most ferns need and is, therefore, easy to care for.

WHERE TO GROW

Although good in a bathroom, button fern is ideal for an open terrarium (see Miniature rainforest) and also works as a statement plant for kokedama (see here) or in a small hanging basket (see Hanging gardens). It can cope with draughts.

HOW TO GROW

Grow in moist but well-drained, ericaceous compost mixed with a handful of perlite, to improve drainage. Mist plants every few days and feed monthly year-round. Reduce watering in winter. Repot in spring if root-bound.

GROWING TIP

Plants can be divided and potted up individually (see here).

CLASSICAL TOUCH
The genus name Pellaea comes from the Greek pellaios, which means ‘dark’ and refers to the stems that turn dark red as they age.

FOLIAGE

Radiator plant

Peperomia caperata

All Peperomia have distinctive leaves and these can be marbled, striped or edged with colour. Radiator plant bears beautiful, corrugated, heart-shaped leaves, and in summer plants send out long, skinny, candlewick flowers. They are easy-going plants to grow.

WHERE TO GROW

Radiator plant appreciates warm humidity so a steamy bathroom is ideal.

HOW TO GROW

Mix a handful of perlite into the compost when planting. Water carefully, avoiding the leaves and crown. Mist daily. In winter, keep the compost almost dry. Feed monthly in spring and summer. Repot only when root-bound.

GROWING TIP

Do not grow radiator plant in too big a pot as it has a shallow root system and struggles if swamped.

AMONG THE TREES
Just one species from a large genus, these compact, little epiphytes are from the Amazon rainforest.

PROJECT 9

Simple kokedama

Kokedama is the art of growing plants in a ball of wet soil covered in moss, and it is increasingly popular as an artistic and sculptural way to display plants. It originated as a form of bonsai in Japan and literally translated means ‘moss ball’. Plants can be displayed as they are on a saucer or tray, or be hung on twine or wire. The best plants for kokedama are strong architectural and textural ones that are happy in semi- or full shade – direct sunlight will dry out the moss and turn the kokedama brown.

Combine equal amounts of bonsai and multipurpose potting compost to help the ball hold moisture. For the covering, sheet moss is best as it can be gathered around the root ball to make a bag; otherwise, carefully mass together chunks of moss until the ball is smothered in soft green.

To check if the kokedama needs watering, feel the weight of the ball. If it is unnaturally light, leave it to soak in a sink or bucket of water until the compost and moss are saturated; take care not to submerge the leaves. Then let the kokedama drain.

PLANTS FOR KOKEDAMA

Asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceus)

Coin leaf peperomia (Peperomia polybotrya ‘Raindrop’)

Cretan brake fern (Pteris cretica)

Missionary plant (Pilea peperomioides)

Staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)

1 Remove the plant (here, Peperomia polybotrya ‘Raindrop’) from its pot and shake off the excess soil from around its roots.

2 Moisten the compost mix until sticky and then compact it into a firm ball around the plant roots until it is about the same size as the plant’s original pot.

3 Wrap the ball with moss and then bind it together with twine or florist’s wire, winding it around and around the moss ball until it is secure.

4 Tie on a last piece of twine, then hang up the kokedama, out of direct sun.

FOLIAGE

Heart leaf

Philodendron scandens aka sweetheart plant, love tree

This fast-growing climber has lush, heart-shaped leaves that are very glossy and get bigger and bigger as the plant grows. They are a pretty bronze when young. Also look out for P. xanadu with its deeply cut, glossy green leaves.

WHERE TO GROW

Heart leaf thrives deep in the rainforest where conditions are humid, warm and dark so replicate this at home – but the lighter the spot the more vigorously it will grow. As it matures, train and support stems against a wall.

HOW TO GROW

Plant in a 2:1 mix of multipurpose compost and perlite. Mist the leaves every few days or grow on a saucer of pebbles and water. Wipe leaves regularly, to clean them. Feed monthly in spring and summer. In winter, water when the top of the compost feels dry.

GROWING TIP

Pinch out the growing tips, to encourage branching and a bushy plant.

DISPLAY OPTIONS
Heart leaf is often sold supported by a moss pole, but plants will also trail and cascade beautifully, transforming any room into a verdant jungle

FOLIAGE

Missionary plant

Pilea peperomioides aka Chinese money plant, pancake plant, UFO plant

Hugely popular, these gorgeous little plants have lovely, rounded, fleshy leaves, each with a cute, yellow spot near the centre where the stem meets the leaf. They are neat, compact plants that form loose, handsome domes and are low-maintenance and very easy to grow.

WHERE TO GROW

Display on a windowsill or in the centre of a table – just shelter them from draughts. Plants also make great kokedama feature plants (see Simple kokedama).

HOW TO GROW

Grow in a 2:1 mix of multipurpose compost and perlite. Mist plants regularly. Feed every couple of weeks in the growing season. Keep the compost just moist in winter, letting the water drain away. Repot in spring when plants are root-bound.

GROWING TIP

Easy to propagate from stem cuttings, in water or potting compost (see here).

LATE-COMER
Native to southern China, missionary plants were brought to Europe by a Norwegian missionary in the 1940s. However, being widely unknown by professional growers, its identity was established only in 1984 when an illustration was published in Kew Magazine.

FERN

Staghorn fern

Platycerium bifurcatum aka elkhorn fern, antelope ears

Staghorn fern is all a house plant should be: easy to grow, magnificent and wonderfully weird. It has two types of fronds: fuzzy fertile ones shaped like a stag’s antler; and sterile fronds that are rounder and heart-shaped. The soft down on the fronds protects them against bright light and prevents them from drying out.

WHERE TO GROW

Looks best in a basket or mounted on a chunk of wood or bark, ideally in a steamy room.

HOW TO GROW

Plant in orchid compost. Mist the fertile fronds every day. Water these plants from below (see here) if the rounder fronds cover the compost, as these will rot if they get wet. In winter, let the surface of the compost dry out before watering.

GROWING TIP

The flatter, rounder fronds naturally turn brown with age, and new fronds will grow above them.

HELPFUL POINTER
Bifurcatum means ‘bifurcated’ or ‘forked’ and refers to the antler-like fertile fronds.

FERN

Cretan brake fern

Pteris cretica aka brake fern, ribbon fern, table fern

These are elegant, dainty tropical and subtropical ferns with wiry stems and unusual, ribbon-like leaflets that can be plain green – or striped as with the variegated P. cretica var. albolineata, which has a broad, central, cream strip.

WHERE TO GROW

This is a good plant for the bathroom or kitchen.

HOW TO GROW

Mist every couple of days and place on a tray of wet pebbles, to increase humidity around the plant. Feed monthly in the growing season. Reduce watering slightly through the cooler months; the roots will rot if left sitting in wet compost over winter. Plants are slow-growing but rejuvenate well so tatty fronds can be snipped off at the base. Repot every couple of years.

GROWING TIP

Plants are easily divided (see Propagation by division), just ensure each piece has at least two fronds and a section of the rhizome.

DIRECT HEAT
Keep Cretan brake fern away from hot radiators and out of bright sun, which will scorch its leaves.

PROJECT 10

Miniature rainforest

Terrariums are a lovely way to display plants, creating a tiny garden within its own miniature glass world. Tropical rainforest plants that dislike direct light are perfect for such planters as they thrive in the humid environment that the sealed glass helps to create. Small ferns such as button fern, delta maidenhair fern and Cretan brake fern introduce a range of leaf shapes, while plants such as mosaic plant, polka dot plant and aluminium plant have pretty spots or stripes.

You can use specialist terrariums, but scrupulously clean glass jars, vases, bottles or aquariums work well, too. However, bottles and anything with a narrow neck are tricky to plant so use long tools such as spoons, dibbers and chopsticks to help you. Grit or gravel mixed with activated charcoal helps with drainage and air movement within the terrarium, as well as stopping the growth of fungi.

Plants in a terrarium require misting frequently, to maintain the humid environment. However, they need less water than traditionally potted plants – check the surface of the compost regularly and, when dry, water with a can fitted with a rose.

PLANTS FOR A MINIATURE RAINFOREST

Aluminium plant (Pilea cadierei)

Bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus and A.n.‘Parvati’)

Button fern (Pellaea rotundifolia)

Cretan brake fern (Pteris cretica)

Delta maidenhair fern (Adiantum raddianum)

Mosaic plant (Fittonia albivenis)

Polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)

1 Add a layer of grit or gravel and activated charcoal to the base of the terrarium and then cover with 5–7cm/2–3in compost.

2 Remove each plant (here Cretan brake fern, mosaic plant and Asplenium nidus ‘Parvati’) from its pot and place in the compost, filling in and firming down where needed.

HABITAT CRISIS
Most of the many cultivars available are from S. ionantha, which sadly is now classified as near threatened in the wild due to its natural habitat being cleared for agriculture.

SUCCULENT AND FOLIAGE

Snake plant

Sansevieria trifasciata aka mother-in-law’s tongue, good luck plant, devil’s tongue

A house plant classic that grows slowly and lasts for many years, snake plant produces clusters of tough, silvery green, sword-like leaves in dense rosettes and is tolerant of erratic watering and extremes of light conditions.

WHERE TO GROW

It is one of the best plants for purifying the air (see Natural air fresheners) so position in a bedroom or living room.

HOW TO GROW

Plant into a free-draining cactus compost mix (see Cacti and succulents) and a pot that is not too big – snake plant likes its roots crowded so choose one that is a snug fit. Feed once a month from spring to autumn. In winter, reduce watering to just once a month. Repot only when plants are tightly root-bound.

GROWING TIP

Plants are easily propagated by leaf cuttings (see here) or by division (see here), teasing away new stems that are growing around the base of the plant.

MULTI-GENERATION
These are plants that are handed down in families and are well-loved for their forgiving and easy-going nature.

Sansevieria zeylanica

PROJECT 11

Natural air fresheners

Studies have shown that many house plants can boost physical health and well-being by improving the air quality in our homes. Their leaves and stems soak up the harmful toxins and chemicals such as formaldehyde, xylene and benzene found in plastics, household detergents, paints, varnishes, carpets and furniture, and thereby leave the atmosphere cleaner. When grouped together, the effect of any of the following plants will be even stronger than when positioned individually. Living rooms and bedrooms are good spots to grow these plants, but, if you choose the right ones and scatter them in every room, your whole house can benefit.

To ensure that leaves effectively absorb harmful particles, keep them clean and dust-free.

PLANTS THAT IMPROVE AIR QUALITY

Bamboo palm (Rhapis excelsa)

Bellmore sentry palm (Howea forsteriana)

Bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus)

Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior)

Delta maidenhair fern (Adiantum raddianum)

Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia seguine)

Fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata)

Goeppertia ‘Whitestar’

Jade plant (Crassula ovata)

Mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria zeylanica)

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii ‘Bellini’)

Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)

Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’)

1 Use a soft cloth to wipe the dust from larger-leaved plants (here, fiddle-leaf fig).

2 Check grouped plants individually, and water each according to its needs.

3/4 To remove ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde and xylene from the atmosphere, grow spider plants (here, Chlorophytum comosum ‘Ocean’) or larger-leaved cultivars (here, Asplenium nidus ‘Crispy Wave’).

5 If any gets too big for the display, move it to another home and swap with something new.

CARNIVOROUS

North American pitcher plant

Sarracenia flava aka trumpet pitchers, pitcher plant, huntsman’s horns

The North American pitcher plant belongs to a small genus of carnivorous plants whose long, colourful leaves have evolved into striking pitchers to trap insects. These each have a strong-smelling nectar around the neck, which draws prey to and into the pitcher from which insects cannot escape.

WHERE TO GROW

Thrives on a windowsill in a bright room; although tolerant of a little shade, it is happier in bright, direct light. In autumn, move your plant to a cooler room, just 10°C/50°F or less, until early spring.

HOW TO GROW

Grow North American pitcher plant in a specialist carnivorous plant mix (see here). Stand on a tray of rain- or distilled water in spring and summer; in autumn, remove the tray but keep the compost just moist. When dormant, leaves die back but resist the urge to tidy them until they turn papery brown in winter. In summer, you can put plants outdoors, to catch insect prey; they do not need feeding (see also Carnivorous vase).

GROWING TIP

Repot in autumn only when plants are quite root-bound, as North American pitcher plant prefers to be snug about the roots.

EXOTIC TOUCH
Pitchers come in shades of lime, burgundy, red and pink and are often mottled or veined and have wonderful, slightly space-age flowers that match the colour of the pitchers.

FOLIAGE

Dwarf umbrella tree

Schefflera arboricola aka parasol plant

These stately, handsome plants produce glossy, evergreen, hand-shaped leaves on tall stems. They are tough, forgiving plants that cope comfortably with central heating. Many variegated varieties are available with yellow, cream or gold markings, such as S. arboricola ‘Gold Capella’.

WHERE TO GROW

Although dwarf umbrella tree tolerates poor light and erratic watering, it will thrive in a warm room out of direct sun and draughts. Keep away from pets and children, as all parts are toxic.

HOW TO GROW

Give dwarf umbrella tree a heavy pot to stop it toppling over. Water well in the growing season, allowing the water to drain through the pot. Mist weekly or place on a tray of wet pebbles. Feed monthly in the growing season, and wipe leaves to keep them glossy and dust-free (see Natural air fresheners). Reduce watering in winter, to just once a month. Repot plants every couple of years in spring.

GROWING TIP

If leaves turn yellow and fall from the plant, it is being overwatered. Reduce watering, so the compost is no longer soggy.

Plants prefer life slightly root-bound so repot every three years; or replace the top layer of compost each spring.

GOOD LUCK TOKEN
The pretty, trumpet-shaped flowers with their jasmine-like scent are a traditional flower in bridal bouquets.

PROJECT 12

Driftwood anchor

Air plants are fascinating plants that have no roots and can survive happily in the wild without soil and very little water. They are, therefore, extremely easy to look after and can be used in the house in all sorts of ways – placed in pretty shells, jars or bowls or attached to foraged pieces of bark or attractive branches and hung up or placed on tables, shelves or windowsills out of direct sun. Driftwood collected from the beach complements the glaucous leaves of air plants well but must be submerged in clean water for a couple of weeks before using it to remove any salt residue in the wood.

Having arranged the air plants across your piece of bark or wood, you can either leave them loose or secure them in place by tying them gently with florist’s wire, thread or fishing line. Do not be tempted to use glue, which will damage the plants.

Mist air plants twice a week, preferably with rainwater, to keep the humidity levels around the plants high, and untie them once a week so they can be soaked in tepid rainwater.

GOOD AIR PLANTS FOR DISPLAY

Tillandsia argentea

T. brachycaulos var. multiflora

T. capitata ‘Peach’

T. usneoides

T. xerographica

1 Assemble your air plants (here, Tillandsia), some well-soaked driftwood, a roll of florist’s wire and scissors.

2 Before ‘planting’, soak plants for a few minutes in a sink filled with tepid rather than cold rainwater. Then stand them upside down on a soft cloth so that excess water can drain away.

3 Secure plants in place by tying florist’s wire loosely around the main body of each plant.

4 Place your air-plant branch in a humid spot out of direct sun.

FLOWERING

Cape primrose

Streptocarpus hybrids

These house plants have a long flowering season, from spring to autumn, and are easy to care for, springing back brilliantly from neglect, even when their leaves are wilting.

WHERE TO GROW

Give them a home on an east- or west-facing windowsill.

HOW TO GROW

Water plants either from below (see here) or from above (see here), but always allow plants to drain well afterwards as the roots can easily rot. Feed once a month from spring to autumn, but do not overfeed, or overwater, which will produce plenty of leafy growth but no flowers. Deadhead flower stems as the blooms fade. In winter, Cape primrose can sit almost dry – plants recover very well from dehydration. Nip out old leaves in spring, to make room for fresh growth.

GROWING TIP

Cape primrose likes to feel slightly constricted so always give it a small pot, even when potting it up in spring.

If spineless yukka gets too tall, simply cut its trunk with a saw in spring; new leaves will soon appear.

CULINARY TREAT
Many parts of yukka are useful or edible. In El Salvador, where they are the national flower, the flowers (Flor de Izote) are traditionally eaten with scrambled eggs and tacos.

FOLIAGE

Fern arum

Zamioculcas zamiifolia aka ZZ plant, Zanzibar gem, zuzu plant

The handsome, glossy foliage of this plant is known as ladders after the leaf pairs that are borne along its upright stems. Slow-growing and easy to look after, fern arum is happy in both sun and shade and even tolerates the odd missed watering, so is ideal for nervous and first-time growers.

WHERE TO GROW

It is very effective at purifying the air (see Natural air fresheners) so a warm bedroom or living room in a north-facing window is a good choice.

HOW TO GROW

Plants have succulent, fleshy rhizomes that help them withstand drought, but if kept dry plants will become dormant, look far less handsome and eventually start to drop their leaves. Feed monthly from spring to autumn. Water plants just once a month in winter. Trim plants if they need to be kept in shape, in spring. Repot plants every two years.

GROWING TIP

Yellow leaves are a sure sign that plants are being overwatered.

RECENT ARRIVAL
New to the house plant scene, fern arum was first commercially cultivated as recently as 1996 by Dutch nurseries.