Three easy, low-maintenance indoor plants for your new BlueTongue Home
Peace lily (spathiphyllum)
The peace lily is one of Australia’s most popular indoor plants. Its deep green foliage and cheerful white flowers are sure to liven up the inside of your new BlueTongue home. This small, hardy plant is best kept in bright, indirect light - an east-facing window would be perfect for the bright morning sun.
There are almost 50 species of indoor peace lily. Most of these will grow to no more than 50 centimetres tall. However, some species will grow closer to a metre in ideal conditions.
Peace lilies originate in a tropical climate; they thrive in a humid atmosphere with consistent moisture. The peace lily will let you know when it is due for water, as the leaves will begin to droop and look a little duller than its usual vibrant self. Watering can often be done weekly; it is important to keep the soil around the plant moist but not saturated.
Any brown leaves or spent flowers can be removed with scissors. As the leaves grow dusty, they should be wiped clean with a damp towel, allowing the plant to breathe and cleanse the air.
It should be noted that all parts of the peace lily contain calcium oxalate, which is mildly toxic and can cause stomach irritation if ingested in large amounts. Ensure to keep your peace lily out of reach of children and pets.
Source: Ikea
Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
The rubber plant is a popular indoor houseplant known for its rapid growth and resilience. While it may start small, the rubber plant will quickly take command of whatever corner it’s given in your new BlueTongue home. Fully matured, the rubber plant can grow to a massive 3 metres, but it can be easily kept at the perfect size with a little pruning.
Caring for the rubber plant is much the same as the peace lily. The soil around the plant should be kept moist in the summer months, while it will only need water once or twice a month in the winter. If the leaves grow droopy, it needs a little water; however, if the leaves start turning yellow or brown, you may be overwatering.
The rubber plant enjoys bright, indirect light that isn’t too hot. While it can be kept outside, you should be cautious to keep it from the direct sunlight and out of the rain. Like most indoor plants, take care to clean settled dust from the rubber plant’s leaves; this will keep the plant looking healthy, allow it to breathe, and remove toxins from the air.
It is important to note that the rubber plant will secrete a milky white sap from the leaves and stem if scratched. While this sap is only considered mildly toxic, care should be taken around small children and pets.
Source: Ikea
Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa)
The Swiss cheese plant is an incredible option to spruce up your new BlueTongue home.
The plant is named for the strange holes or slits that develop within its gorgeous heart-shaped leaves in a process known as fenestration. There are several theories about why this phenomenon occurs, the most popular of which is to facilitate air flow to cool the leaves.
The Swiss cheese plant originates in the tropics of North and South America. It enjoys bright indirect sunlight, recreating its native environment underneath a vast forest canopy. If given the opportunity, the Swiss cheese plant will climb high; however, it will spread and sprawl if there is nothing to climb.
These plants come from a humid environment and enjoy consistent moisture. If the soil around the plant is dry to the touch, it is time to water! Ensure that the pot has drainage holes, as these plants do not enjoy having wet feet.
Like most other tropical houseplants, the Swiss cheese plant contains calcium oxalate. Ensure that small children and pets are kept from nibbling the delicious-looking leaves.
Source: Ikea
