Striking Houseplants

Take a closer look at these must-have striking houseplants

The houseplant craze shows no signs of dying down. In fact, it is currently experiencing a revival or revolution: no longer are easy-to-find, beginner friendly plants the go-to. Now, houseplant enthusiasts want a taste of the unique, the unusual and the colourful, with some old favourites thrown in to balance the collection.

Strelitzia

South Africans are very familiar with the staple garden plant bird of paradise, sporting stunning orange flowers in the classic crane shape. But, these plants have only recently taken centre stage around the world, where they are now one of the most sought-after houseplants. The towering leaves make for an interesting feature, easily filling out corners. Plus, if you give them enough light, you’ll get to enjoy their flowers indoors too.

Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’

‘Pink Princess’ is the new houseplant collector’s item – if you can manage to find one. Following in the footsteps of the variegated Monstera craze, ‘Pink Princess’ features fascinating pink variegation with spots of greyish green. This colour change is the result of a mutation in the cells of the plant, not intervention through dyeing or colouring. They can be pricey and quite hard to find so make sure you give yours the best care if you get your hands on one.

Alocasia

Known for their striking leaves, alocasias are unlike any other houseplant on the market. Also known as elephant’s ear due to the shape of the leaves, these plants have wonderful colours and captivating patterns that make them instantly stand out. They can be trickier to care for, especially if you’re after the massive foliage this plant is beloved for, but they are well worth the extra effort.

Money Tree

Experiencing a revival in popularity, the money tree is an indoor garden favourite and the hand-shaped glossy leaves and strong branches quickly make you realise why. Much like the popular Ficus, this braided tree loves indoor conditions and thrives in a container, making it an ideal houseplant. Plus, it may just bring you some luck and financial prosperity if you pop it in the right spot, according to Feng Shui principles.

Palms

Nothing says tropical paradise like a palm. These plants have remained on popular houseplant lists for years, beloved for their ease of care and dramatic foliage. There are many options to choose from, but this year’s favourites are kentia palms and bamboo palms. Place them in a sunny corner and watch the shadows turn your living room into an instant resort.

Ficus

Fiddle-leaf figs (Ficus lyrata) dominated social media feeds at the start of revived houseplant interest. While these are still incredibly popular, it is their other Ficus cousins that are beginning to take centre stage. Ficus benjamina has always been second best, followed by Ficus elastica, the rubber plant. This year, the focus is on a different member of the Ficus genus – Ficus umbellata. This tree has massive umbrella-like leaves that fit the large-foliage trend perfectly. Unfortunately, they are incredibly hard to come by (especially in SA), but you can get your hands on another new Ficus favourite instead – ‘Audrey’. This tree has a thick white stem and structural leaves that suit any space. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to care for.

Carnivorous plants

Carnivorous plants have a mysterious allure that draws lovers of the unusual. Since their needs are quite different from standard houseplants, they are perfect for experienced indoor gardeners looking for a challenge. The classic Venus flytrap has always been a go-to for those starting out but pitcher plants are undoubtedly the new favourite. Their pitchers come in stunning colours with an interesting evolutionary backstory to boot.

Hoyas

With thick, juicy leaves, glossy colours and fascinating shapes, it’s hard not to love hoyas. This genus of plants has always been popular in indoor gardening, but the push to grow flowering houseplants has catapulted them to the top of the list. Not only do they sport clusters of white or pink waxy flowers, but they also have unique leaf shapes. Look for Hoya compacta as a prime example of what this genus has to offer.

Anything variegated

The biggest trend of 2022, continuing from previous years, is variegation. It may be the unique colour patterns, the unpredictability or the challenge of growth that makes them so popular, or a combination of all three. These plants are pricier than others and harder to find due to the difficulty of propagation, but they are certainly worth the wait. Try any cultivars of variegated Monstera, Ficus, Philodendron or Epipremnum to join in on this trend.

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Also, check out our Indoor and Patio Plants archive here