PLANTS

Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) are beautiful house plants, grown for their bold and striking foliage. They're also known as Joseph's coat as their thick, oval, pointed leaves are splashed with many colours, including red, pink, burgundy, orange, yellow and green. In summer, small white or yellow star-shaped flowers may appear. 

CARE TIPS

Crotons need plenty of bright light, a consistently warm spot and high humidity. They can take some direct sunshine but keep them away from direct midday sun. 

Keep the soil moist from spring to autumn, and  water less in winter, allowing the top few centimetres of compost to dry out between waterings.

Provide some humidity by misting regularly or standing on a tray of moist pebbles. 

Feed every two weeks with a balanced house plant fertiliser during its growing season (Spring to Summer). 

Wipe the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to remove dust.

PET FRIENDLY: 

No - keep in a location away from pets and children

From Brazil, the evergreen perennial Golden Mosaic is revered for the strikingly beautiful gold and cream variegations on its large, oval leaves. It belongs to the Marantaceae family, known as 'Prayer Plants,' which, much like humans and unlike most plants, have a wake-and-sleep cycle according to a circadian rhythm. This means the leaves move upwards during the night and downwards throughout the day in search of the sun. 

CARE TIPS

The golden Mosaic grows best in a space with bright indirect light, where the sun rays are diffused, and can also adapt to spaces with bright direct light, where the sunlight streams inside directly. Avoid placing it in spaces with low light or spaces without natural sunlight. 

Keep in evenly moist soil with high humidity during the growing season (Spring to Summer). It will require less watering in the winter months.

Feed every two weeks with a balanced house plant fertiliser during its growing season (Spring to Summer). 

To help it grow evenly, occasionally dust the leaves and rotate the pot by a ¼ turn once a month. 

PET FRIENDLY: 

Yes

Also known as Coffee Plant / Arabian Coffee - this plant originates from Ethiopia, tropical Africa.

CARE TIPS

Coffee plants prefer indirect  sunlight and do not thrive in direct, harsh sunlight. They can adapt to lower light conditions but will gro slower.

These plants are water lovers and require both regular and lots of watering. The soil should stay evenly moist but not waterlogged. Never allow the soil to dry out completely.

As these plants naturally grow on the sides of tropical mountains, they thrive in highly humid conditions so provide some humidity by misting regularly or standing on a tray of moist pebbles. If the air is too dry, the leaf edges may start to turn brown.

Feed with a weak liquid fertiliser throughout the growing season (Spring to Summer) every couple of weeks. Reduce to once a month or even less during the Winter period.

PET FRIENDLY:

Yes - as the coffee plant itself isn't toxic. However, the coffee beans it produces contain caffeine which is not recommended for animals.

The Peacock plant, also known as Calathea Makoyana, is a beautiful tropical houseplant, famed for its beautiful, contrasting green and purplish-red leaves that will brighten up any indoor space. It is native to the tropical forests of Brazil, found growing under the shade canopies of the tall, tropical trees. 

CARE TIPS

This Calathea needs bright, indirect light to maintain its colourful leaves however be sure to avoid direct sunlight. 

Keep in moist soil, not waterlogged and only water once the surface of the soil starts to dry out to touch.

Provide lots of humidity by misting regularly or standing on a tray of moist pebbles. 

Feed every two weeks with a balanced house plant fertiliser during its growing season (Spring to Summer). 

Wipe the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to remove dust.

PET FRIENDLY: 

Yes 

The Calatheas Insignis is commonly know as the Calathea Rattlesnake is a native of Brazil.  It is an extremely popular houseplant collected for it’s incredible spotted foliage.  

CARE TIPS

Calatheas are ground cover plants from the tropical forests of Brazil so these plants thrive in a warm position with medium filtered to soft light. If the leaves appear to be fading or losing their patterning and colour you may have them in too bright a position – move them to somewhere a little more sheltered. 

Keep in moist soil, not waterlogged and only water once the surface of the soil starts to dry out to touch.

Feed every two weeks with a balanced house plant fertiliser during its growing season (Spring to Summer). 

Keep them away from heating/cooling units as they are very sensitive to cold or hot drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations.

PET FRIENDLY: 

Yes 

The Ctenanthe plant, also known as the Never Never plant, is an evergreen plant with unique, variegated foliage.  It belongs to the Marantaceae family, known as 'Prayer Plants,' which, much like humans and unlike most plants, have a wake-and-sleep cycle according to a circadian rhythm. This means the leaves move upwards during the night and downwards throughout the day in search of the sun. 

CARE TIPS

This Ctenanthe grows best in a space with bright indirect light, where the sun rays are diffused but ensure you avoid excessive direct sunlight.

Keep in evenly moist soil with high humidity during the growing season (Spring to Summer). It will require less watering in the winter months.

Feed every two weeks with a balanced house plant fertiliser during its growing season (Spring to Summer). 

To help it grow evenly, occasionally dust the leaves and rotate the pot by a ¼ turn once a month. 

PET FRIENDLY: 

Yes

Fatsia Japonica Spiders Web, commonly known as Caster Oil plant is a lovely bushy, evergreen shrub with large dark green leaves and a wonderful white variegation often on the edges. This fabulous plant does well both indoors as a houseplant or outside in the garden in a container (where it can be moved if the weather gets cold).

CARE TIPS

This fatsia grows best in a space with bright indirect light, where the sun rays are diffused but ensure you avoid excessive direct sunlight to avoid losing its fabulous markings.

Fatsia like moist soil but will not tolerate wet soggy soil. They also are not keen on having dry soil. So let the water dry from the soil to the halfway mark on the grow pot then water your fatsia immediately, let the excess water drain through, and place the plant back into its cover pot or saucer. 

High humidity is a must-have for Fatsia Spiderweb. The leaves may begin to curl, or the edges will turn brown and dry out if they do not receive enough humidity. All fatsia indoor plants do well in a kitchen, bathroom, or any area with extra moisture in the air. Using a humidifier or a pebble tray with water can help give these moisture-loving plants the extra dampness they need to thrive.

To help it grow evenly, occasionally dust the leaves and rotate the pot by a ¼ turn once a month. 

PET FRIENDLY: 

Yes

Nephrolepis Exaltata 'Green Lady' Boston Fern also known as the sword fern.  It is a common houseplant that is native to tropical environments.  Popular since the Victorian times when they were grown in large planters, these are possibly one of the easiest of the indoor ferns to grow. 

CARE TIPS

This fern grows best in a space with bright indirect light, where the sun rays are diffused but ensure you avoid excessive direct sunlight.

Keep in moist soil, not waterlogged and only water once the surface of the soil starts to dry out to touch.

These ferns love a humid atmosphere, so mist the leaves regularly with water and/or place the pot on pebbles in a tray filled with water. 

Feed every two weeks with a balanced house plant fertiliser during its growing season (Spring to Summer). 

Repot in spring when the plant becomes root-bound. 

PET FRIENDLY: 

Yes

Alocasia plants, also known as African mask plants, are tropical perennials that are characterised by large, heart-shaped leaves with pointed tips. Native to tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asia and Australia, these plants are popular for their exotic appearance and ease of care. 

CARE TIPS

Alocasia plants prefer bright, indirect light. If the leaves of your alocasia are drooping, it may need more light. Move your plant to a spot with more light and make sure to rotate it to ensure even light exposure. If your alocasia is not getting enough light, it will also have fewer leaves. 

Alocasia plants like evenly moist soil, but they do not like to sit in water. To avoid root rot, allow the top two inches of soil to dry out before watering. Water your alocasia plant until the water runs out of the bottom of the pot. In the summer, your alocasia may need to be watered more frequently. 

Alocasia plants thrive in high humidity, so misting the leaves regularly or setting the pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water can help increase the humidity. Alternatively, pop yours in a bright kitchen or bathroom as they're naturally humid spots. 

Fertilise your alocasia every two to four weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertiliser diluted to half strength. During the winter months, you don't need to worry about fertilising. 

PET FRIENDLY: 

No - causes severe irritation when eaten

The blue star fern (Phlebodium aureum) is a popular choice for indoor plants. It  is known for its elongated, multi-lobed fronds and pleasant blue-green colour.  This fern is native to tropical regions across North and South America where it grows naturally as an epiphyte. 

CARE TIPS

While many ferns thrive in low light conditions, the blue star fern appreciates plenty of medium, indirect light. It can still survive in low light conditions, but its foliage will be sparser and less lush. Avoid prolonged periods of intense direct sunlight, which can burn this plant’s delicate leaves. 

The blue star fern appreciates consistent moisture so it is  best to water when the top inch of soil has dried out. The soil should be consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Be careful not to overwater your blue star fern as these plants are sensitive to root rot. 

Naturally humid rooms in the home such as bathrooms and kitchens are great spots to grow a blue star fern, or you can increase humidity using a small humidifier or a pebble tray with water near the plant (or regularly mist it). Avoid placing your fern close to drafty vents and windows which will dry out the air. 

Fertilise your fern every three to four weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertiliser diluted to half strength. During the winter months, you don't need to worry about fertilising. 

PET FRIENDLY: 

Yes

These striking tropical beauties from the Calathea family have distinct stripes and veining on their oblong foliage.  The round-leaved Calathea (Calathea Orbifolia or, the more recent synonym, Geoppertia Orbifolia) has silver-green stripes on its large leaves make it a bold statement house plant.

CARE TIPS

This Calathea can be fussy about light levels and requires bright, indirect sunlight to thrive.  Direct sun results in ugly brown spots, leaf scorch and fading patternation. However, if the light conditions are too low, the leaves won't look their fullest or healthiest. Rotating the plant every month helps to promote balanced growth too. 

Before watering check to see if the soil feels dry to touch, if so then it's usually time to water.

While these plants need consistent moisture, they can't tolerate soggy roots. The little and often approach works best, and watering from the bottom helps moisture reach the roots and the centre of the pot.

Round-leaved calathea are good candidates for bright, warm bathrooms as they need high levels of humidity. Using a humidifier or a pebble tray with water or even regular misting can help give these moisture-loving plants the extra dampness they need to thrive.

Feed every two weeks with a balanced house plant fertiliser during its growing season (Spring to Summer). 

Regularly dusting your plant's leaves helps prevent their pores from clogging, maximizing light-capturing efficiency and helping promote healthy growth. 

PET FRIENDLY: 

Yes

The ‘Radermachera Sinica’ also called 'China Doll', Emerald Tree or Asian Bell Tree. It is native to the subtropical regions of China and Taiwan and THE houseplant of the 1980s when it was at its most popular.

Although a houseplant - it can survive outside needing warm temperatures and 3-5 hours of indirect light a day! 

CARE TIPS

This plant is unlikely to exceed 2m in height and prefers indirect light. It produces lots of green foliage throughout the year which is one of the reasons it is so popular as a houseplant, as well as being east to care for.

It requires a good combination of bright and indirect light to thrive indoors. They demand at least four to five hours of such sunlight every day.

Allow the soil’s top third to dry out between watering as inconsistent moisture levels can impact on growth.  So water only when the top inch of the soil is dry to the touch. Be careful not to overwater the plant particularly in winter as it will develop fungal spots on the leaves. Yellow leaves are a symptom of overwatering. 

Normal room humidity is fine for this plant and feed with a houseplant feed every ‘4 waters’ during Spring to Summer.  

PET FRIENDLY: 

Yes