Episode: 19
1^st September 2007

When it is a bit chilly outdoors it prompts you to think about what is going on indoors and your house may require a bit of winter cheer. It is time for an indoor plant phase and here are some of the best performers.

There is a modern twist on an old favourite – Philodendron Xanadu. It is a form of Xanadu with a compact, tidy growth habit – under 1 x 1 m - and attractive lobed leaves.

It was actually discovered in WA as a chance seedling. You may see this plant growing outdoors everywhere up north but in Melbourne it is best grown as an indoor or patio plant in bright conditions with a dose of slow release fertilizer once a year to keep it green.

Spathiphyllums, are normally called peace lilies, it is a nice thought having a peace lily in the house. But they are also tougher than you might think. Melissa has got one at home that has died and come back to life 5 times – although it is not suggested that you treat yours like that.
They are evergreen and display pretty white flowers sporadically throughout the year. Sensation has extra large leaves – very stylish plants.

Nothing brings a lush tropical feel to the house quite like Palms.

Rhapis palms were prized in European conservatories – wonderful patterned leaves. They grow reasonably tall and get quite wide thus in the early days it became known as the ‘Large Lady Palm’ – today its more commonly just the Lady Palm. With enough of these tropical beauties in the house you can feel like you have actually escaped to the tropics for the winter.

If you want sexy, colourful foliage you ca not go past garden crotons (Codiaeum variegatum). Such a plant does not need flowers to compete in the beauty stakes. The foliage says it all.

And do not go past Calatheas either – they are among the most attractive foliage plants - patterned with colourful lines or colourful blotches, even spots.

And among the tropical flowers you can also have stunning cold tolerant heliconias.

With the move towards dry-tolerant beauties these plants have become very popular. Draceanas (dracaena marginata) are members of the ancient dragon tree family. ‘Tricolor’ is particularly decorative with striped cream, green and pink foliage and it looks spectacular year round. You will also love the deeper pink tones of ‘Colourama’

Melissa Whitehead from Instant Gardens –Opinions on Trends in Indoor Plants: Generally a lot of the tropical indoor foliage plants seem to be what people are going for these days as well as more old fashioned plants like cyclamens are still very popular.

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