10 of the best indoor plants for your home

September 16, 2019

Using indoor plants as part of the mix in your interior décor is a great way to add an extra dimension of colour, texture and shape. Once you start to include a green friend in a beautiful pot when styling vignettes on shelves, coffee tables and hard surfaces, it’s easy to become addicted to their charm.

We’re thrilled that Tara Dennis Store at both Wahroonga and Balmain have a growing number of fellow plant lovers and find we are constantly refilling our supply to both stores to keep fresh and beautiful options on our shelves and in turn, yours!

Whether you’re looking for the best indoor plants for low light spaces or you’re just getting started to introduce indoor plants into your home and are not sure where to start, here are 10 easy care indoor plants for beginners to help you on your way.

1. Devils Ivy Epipremnum Aureum

Why we love it:

• Easy care
• Fast growing and hardy - almost impossible to kill!
• Suits low light areas
• Drought tolerant so great for forgetful plant owners
• Looks beautiful in hanging planters and trailing down from high shelves

Position:

Filtered or no light

General care:

• Only water when the top inch of soil has dried out
• Remove dead leaves to promote new growth
• Apply fertiliser around three times a year
• Support long trailing tendrils with small clips or along a surface

 2. Jade Plant Crassula Ovata

Why we love it:

• Thrives in a sunny spot
• Only needs occasional watering
• Unusual texture in the mix of indoor plants
• Graphic, bright lime green foliage

Position:

Full to part sun

General care:

• Only water when soil is dry
• Place in direct sunlight
• Apply fertiliser around three times a year

3. Philodendron

Why we love it:

• Large, lush green foliage
• Easy care
• Fast growing
• Can survive occasional neglect

Position:

Place in filtered or indirect sunlight

General care:

• Allow top inch of soil to dry out in between waterings
• Apply fertiliser around three times a year
• Rotate occasionally to promote even shape

Why we love it:

• Large, lush burgundy foliage present a nice contrast in the home
• Easy care
• Fast growing
• Can survive occasional neglect

Position:

• Place in filtered or indirect sunlight
• Low light OK for short spells

General care:

• Keep soil moist in summer, drier in cooler months
• Apply fertiliser around three times a year
• Wipe leaves to prevent dust build up
• Rotate occasionally to promote even shape

Why we love it:

• One of our favourite rhipsalis varieties!
• Feathery, light, lime green leaves
• Delicate, trailing forms that hang down from pot
• Adds texture to plant collection
• Tolerates low light 

Position:

Partial to full shade

General care:

• Requires well drained soil – don’t allow water to sit at base or on surface
• Keep soil moist
• Apply fertiliser around three times a year

Why we love it:

• Easy care
• Grows as large as it’s pot
• Can make a statement
• Lush green foliage
• Tolerates low light

Position:

Away from direct sunlight

General care:

• Keep soil moist but do not overwater in cooler months
• Remove dead leaves to encourage new growth
• Feed in warmer months with half-strength liquid fertiliser

7. Zanzibar Gem, 'ZZ' plant Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Why we love it:

• Great for beginners as very easy care – virtually indestructible!
• Dark green glossy leaves on tall stems
• Can grow in very low light – albeit slowly
• Drought resistant so can tolerate neglect

**warning – may be dangerous to pets if ingested!

Position:

Indirect to low light

General care:

• Water once a month
• Allow good drainage to prevent rotting bulbs
• Apply fertiliser around three times a year

 8.  Chain of pearls  Senecio rowleyanus

Why we love it:

• Beautiful strands of pearl beads spilling from pot to cascade downwards
• Robust plant despite its delicate appearance
• It’s actually a succulent!

**warning – may be dangerous to pets if ingested! 

Position:

Full to partial sunlight

General care:

• Less watering rather than more - do not allow roots to get soggy
• Requires plenty of sunlight, warmth and a sandy soil to thrive
• Apply liquid fertiliser around three times a year

9. Arrowhead plant Syngonium

Why we love it:

• Easy care and hardy so good plant for beginners
• Perfect plant for bathrooms
• Sweet heart-shaped variegated foliage
• Lighter leaves break up block of greenery in a collection of plants
• Easily propagated

**warning – may be dangerous to pets if ingested!

Position:

Well-lit spot away from direct sunlight

General care:

• Moderate watering needs – less in cooler months
• Allow to dry out a little between waterings
• Loves a regular light mist
• Remove dead leaves to encourage new growth

10. Blue star fern Phlebodium Aureum

Why we love it:

• Elegant, silvery fronds on delicate stems
• Adds a depth of colour through plant display
• Works well in low light
• Tropical Good plant for bathrooms
• Easy care

Position:

Indirect to low light – prefers a humid environment 

• Moderate watering needs – keep moist but not wet
• Loves a regular light mist
• Apply fertiliser around three times a year
• Remove dead leaves to encourage new growth

If you'd like to learn more about caring for your indoor plants, we're here to help! Join us at our 'Beginners Guide to House Plants' workshop in our Balmain store. Click HERE for more details and upcoming dates.

Still not feeling the plant love? We have a stunning selection of faux plants in store too.

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