Add life to your living areas

Summer’s here! So too is the silly season of entertaining, Christmas luncheons and most importantly, gift giving.

With our love of the great outdoors, much of our time in the warmer months is spent outside. So why not bring the outdoors in and enjoy it year-round?

Indoor plants can enhance a space. Whether it’s adding a splash of colour to neutral décor or simply bringing some life to an area – the options are endless. And with smaller, low maintenance rear gardens increasing in popularity, indoor plants can bring that seamless integration between your living spaces. But where do you start?

Recently, we sat down with local green thumb Scott Baxter from Green Form to find out his top 5 indoor plant picks. Green Form specialises in sourcing rare and hard to find plants for interior and exterior projects, assisting clients to develop and maintain the perfect green space.

The perfect gift idea or instant decoration for your celebrations this festive season so read on for the low down in indoor plant style.

Scott’s Top 5 Indoor Plants

Monstera Deliciosa – ‘Fruit Salad Plant’

This is a must have in your indoor plant collection. Their dramatic split leaves and ease of care make them a top choice for your indoor space. Did you know that as the Monstera matures they produce a fruit that tastes something like a cross between a banana and a pineapple? There is so much to love about the Monstera!

Philodendron Burle Marx – ‘New Yorker’

You really can’t go wrong with any philodendron as an indoor house plant…they are super tough and can handle lower light conditions. The New Yorker will look great in a small planter on a shelf or can be trained to climb up a totem in a larger planter giving a flusher look.

Alocasia Macrorrhiza – ‘Elephant Ear’

Want that tropical look? Then look no further than the Alocasia family. These guys prefer a bright, indirectly lit location, so perhaps positioned in front of a window in the living or dining room. Throughout the warm summer growing months, they will continue to produces a flush of beautiful big leaves, over and over. Stunning.

Epipremnum Aureum – ‘Devils Ivy’

If you don’t already have one get one! If you already have one, get another! The ultimate houseplant it looks after itself! They are one of the toughest houseplants going around… low maintenance, relatively pest free and look stunning in a hanger, climbing up a totem or assembled with other green life for the perfect shelfie…a must have in every collection.

Pilea Peperomioides – ‘Chinese Money Plant’

A beautifully structured plant, with its large pancake or coin like leaves suspended on slender stalks. One of the most sought-after houseplants of the last few years and holds an air of mystery surrounding its actual origins. In its juvenile stage they are perfect for the window sill or desk and as they mature it’s the plant that keeps on giving, producing small plants off its stem that are easily propagated.

Some more about Green Form

We were so enthralled with Scott’s recommendations, we just wanted to know a little more about him and his passion for plants…

HP: Where was the idea of Green Form born?

Scott: “Green Form has evolved from my love of rare and unusual plants. As my collection grew, I felt it would be nice to have some of my rare pieces on display where I could share my love of rare plants with others. Plus, I was quickly running out of space at home! I urgently needed to do something with them! Hehe…”

HP: What makes Green Form unique?

Scott: “I like to collect and source plants that you won’t find so commonly cultivated. I’m particularly fond of plants from another era that my parents and grandparents had in their collections, like philodendrons, monsteras and ferns and it really inspires me to keep that link going. Some plants are so aesthetically beautiful and can change the way we feel just by being in their presence, I like that. I want more of that.”

HP: Tell us why you love what you do?

Scott: “I enjoy seeing things grow. I have a background in viticulture. It’s so satisfying tending to the vines for 12 months and following the fruit from the vineyard into the winery. On the other hand, I am passionate about plants and design; styling a venue and seeing that space come to life with your ideas is satisfying. Plants really do make people happy! There is so much I love about what I do.”

Want to see some of Scott’s collection and installations? Check them out at Chow’s Table, Amelia Park Restaurant, Vasse Felix and Yarri Restaurant & Bar. For those already well into the indoor plant obsession, Scott is also co-hosting a Plant Swap event at Yarri on 15 December!

Stay tuned for the next edition in our Green Form colab…in the meantime a HUGE thanks to Scott for taking the time to help us all bring some life to our living areas.