Business Feature – The Good Plant Co.

There’s only one thing better than going out and buying a new indoor plant and that is having one delivered right to your door! For the team at The Good Plant Co. in Melbourne, this joy is a daily reality!

So, what is it about beautiful, healthy indoor plants that is so enchanting? Why has styling with nature made such a comeback in recent years? And why does collecting these green babies so easily become an obsession?

We recently reached out to Alecia Savage from the Good Plant Co. and asked her to share some of her top tips about caring for, and styling with plants so whether you’re already an avid gardener or a newbie to the indoor jungle world, grab a pen and paper:

Alecia, what can you tell us about the benefits of indoor plants in the home and office space?
There are oh-so-many benefits of bringing a little bit of nature indoors! Not only will it make you feel more restful and at peace, but research has proved that having different types of plants indoors can purify the air and increase productivity as well! From bedside tables to kitchen countertops, there is a plant to suit every space and style of room. Working from home? An indoor plant is a perfect addition to your home office.

Which plants do you suggest for air purification?
There are loads of indoor plants out there that will help to cleanse the air, but I must admit that I love both the Peace Lily and the Philodendron Birkin for their air purification qualities. And as a bonus, they’re relatively easy to care for too!

What are your top care tips for indoor plants?
When we think of caring for a plant, we immediately think of sunlight and water. And that’s not wrong, either. But to allow your green baby to thrive, not just survive, you need to feed it too. Indoor plant food is essential to supply your plant with the nutrients it needs to be happy, healthy, and vibrant.

Which are the best low maintenance species if you don’t have a lot of time to devote to plants? 
Bringing some green inside doesn’t have to mean a whole lot of extra work. Here are our suggestions for plants that need minimum attention to thrive:

• Bamboo Parlor Palms: these beauties can grow big and tall, and they require minimal maintenance. They’re the perfect way to bring those lovely tropical vibes into your home.
• Sansevieria Hahnii: another great low maintenance plant. Although the name might sound a bit technical and scary, these little guys are super tough and hardy and only need a bit of indirect sunlight and the occasional watering to grow.
• Baby Rubber Plant: this one ticks the low maintenance box, but it also has another super important feature: they can reduce formaldehyde levels by up to 47%, so just leave it there to do its thing!

Which plants should I put where in your house?
It’s important to understand how much light your plant needs to thrive. And to explain this, there is the below diagram:

1. Direct Sunlight: when the sunlight can directly hit the plant’s leaves – this is best achieved on a windowsill.
2. Indirect Light: when the sunlight doesn’t directly hit the plant, but the area is still very brightly lit. This is usually somewhere close to a window that the sun shines directly into.
3. Medium Light: shadow is starting to come into play here – light is not as intense and bright as indirect light.
4. Low Light: this is where the shadow is the greatest – light doesn’t directly reach this area. These spaces are furthest from the window. Understanding these principles will help you choose plants that suit each of your rooms.

There are no rules and regulations when it comes to decorating with plants, but to get your creative juices flowing, here are a few options that are commonly used in the different zones:

Kitchen: Amate Umbrella, Happy Plant, Hurricane Fern.

Bedroom: Ficus Shivereana, Philodendron Birkin, Birds Nest Fern.

Office: Philodendron Silver Sword, Mini Bamboo Parlor Palm, ZZ Plant.

Living Room: Fiddle Leaf Fig, Monstera Deliciosa, Peperomia Albo Marginata.

What are your top tips for styling with plants for auction or inspection?
Plants can be popped into a corner or on the end of a bench. For styling your home/property, we recommend grouping your plants together to add drama and contrast. Take the time to arrange different species together (after all, the only thing that’s better than one plant is a group of plants!) to create an instant statement.

What are your most popular indoor plants, and why?
The Fiddle Leaf Fig is by far the most popular indoor plant we have. Why? because it’s stylish, structural, and dramatic, and is guaranteed to look amazing in any room or space of the home or office. Our range of rare and exotic plants are also very popular – Philodendron Prink Princess, Philodendron White Princess and Thai Constellations. We’re also seeing a few exciting new trends emerge for 2022! Customers are loving plants with red or purple foliage at the moment – Burgundy Rubber Tree, Peperomia Red Edge, or Anthurium Plants.

Want to know more about styling with indoor plants? Contact the lovely team at The Good Plant Co. here and get their advice.