Get Your Green On

You don’t need a green thumb to add a lush feel to your indoor space. From succulents to low care leafy foliage, Fiona Wasley, the founder of Japonica Folium on Sydney’s northern beaches, knows which plants will work in your space, especially for those among us who can’t seem to keep their greenery alive!

WHAT TRENDS ARE UP SEEING WITH INDOOR PLANTS?
Grouped plants and vignettes (clustered items displayed together) are big for amateur and professional stylists. Succulents and cactus remain the most popular indoor plants but medium to large tropical foliage plants such as banana palms, rhapis palms, and maidenhair ferns in plant stands or interesting pots are just as popular. Classics such as peace lilies and phalaenopsis orchids suit any interior. Texture is key, whether it’s in the foliage or the planter, for example our new range of planters includes coconut shells, copper, ceramic, glass and concrete.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING PLANTS INDOORS AT A HOME?
Many plants actually clean the air and improve health and stress levels. We believe indoor plants create a feeling of home, bring the outdoors in and look good. A vignette with a succulent, a candle and a special photo evokes treasured memories.

WHICH PLANTS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR HOME?
Anything hardy that doesn’t require a lot of work! We are all so busy, so having a forgiving plant that doesn’t stress if you forget to water it is a must. We love succulents and cactus.

ARE THERE PLANTS THAT WORK PARTICULARLY WELL IN A HOME OFFICE?
Indoor varieties of succulents work well as they don’t take up a lot of space. They can sit on a shelf or on your desk. Plants such as peace lilies, mother-in-law’s tongue, golden cane palm help purify the air, and look good on the floor in a nice pot.

WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR BUYING INDOORS PLANTS?
Avoid yellow or transparent leaves which are signs of bad health. Remember baby plants will need a little bit more care than well established, larger plants. It can take a week or so for a plant to adjust to its new surroundings. Know how often you should water your plant and stick to that timeframe as best as you can. I set a reminder in my phone for a day I know I’m not busy.

WHERE CAN READERS FIND JAPONICA FOLIUM?
We’re based on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. We are an online business, with same day delivery Sydney wide, including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and Wollongong. We are looking at doing local markets in the next few months – and you can follow us on Instagram or Facebook @japonica_folium for dates.

Lotte van Baalen is an Instagram success story with her wildly popular feed @plantsonpink. The Dutch gardening star shares, “I grow plants for many reasons; to please my eye or to please my soul, to challenge the elements or to challenge my patience, but mostly for the pleasure of watching them grow. You can’t see plants growing – unless you speed up a film – but you know that they do. Each day, tiny changes take place. It’s the same with your life.” Follow Lotte at @plantsonpink