Darren Palmer has a broad portfolio, having studied fine art & graphic design, originally working in advertising and owning his own graphic design company. After succumbing to his true passion, Darren now operates his own interior design studio and has been a judge on numerous seasons of The Block.
Real or faux, the list of plants to include in a home is long – below are my favourites.
Whatever plants you choose, check that they can thrive in the environment you’re intending to put them in. Ensure you have the time and patience to keep them well as there’s no sadder inclusion in a room than an unhappy and unhealthy plant.
Boston Fern
I never rated a Boston Fern until I purchased one to style a client’s kitchen for a photoshoot. It was small, about the size of a dinner plate. The client didn’t need it, so I took it home and sat it on my dining table, a place where it was happy, exploding in size and sprouting luscious leaves.
With a little care and the right conditions, Boston Fern’s bring bold, lush and glorious greenery to your tables.
Ficus
Fiddle Leaf Fig or Ficus Trees are ubiquitous in interiors these days, so much so that there are many faux options being sold in retailers across the country. They require filtered light and access to water. They’re a solid, leafy and sculptural plant that can grow tall, bushy and form several trunks within the same pot.
Rhapis Palm
These have been around for as long as I can remember as a tropical interior favourite, and for good reason! They have a lovely sculptural yet edgy shaped leaf. They are wonderfully bushy and look fantastic in artistic pots, allowing them to be their own feature in the corner of a room.
Orchid
There’s nothing revolutionary about an orchid; you can buy them at grocery stores, and they last for months. For a small investment, you can buy two or three of the same type of orchid flowering at the same time which will give you months of floral interest en-masse.
To keep an orchid happy and healthy you only need to apply a half cup of water every week. As with all plants they need light and food to survive, so check with an expert to get the most longevity out of them – if well looked after, they will regrow flowers.
Succulents, Cacti and Bromeliads
Small, side table-sized plants that are hardy and robust are a staple in my interiors. You’ll be hard pressed to find a home that I design that doesn’t include a succulent on a side table, a cactus sitting out of harm’s way on a shelf, or a Bromeliad taking pride of place on an outdoor coffee table.
They are easy to keep alive, look healthy and are predictable in terms of their size and shape. This allows you to find the right size to fit the right table, shelf or other interior surface that’s begging for a touch of life.
Let there be light!
Light source or “aspect” is an important consideration for all plants. Some plants can survive with very low levels of light however, most require some sunlight to grow and thrive. Give your indoor plants just what they need by filtering light through your windows with Blinds or Shutters. Consider Carpet Court’s Indoor Plantation Shutters so that you can control exactly the right amount.
Get the Carpet Court Look
1. Indoor Plantation Shutters in White
2. Timber Florence Oak in Whitehaven