Boston Fern Botanical name: Nephrolepis exaltata A favourite of every mid-century hallway and Victorian era parlour, this is a fern’s fern, quite happy in modern decor. Hang it high, let its elegant arching fronds droop on a stylish plant stand or create a formal arrangement with a pigeon pair flanking a special furniture piece. It’s one of the hardier ferns. Prefers: Indirect filtered light and high humidity, around 50 per cent, which makes the bathroom an ideal spot. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Hates: Dry air, saturated soil. An unhappy fern may sulk and die off, but can be brought back from near death by adjusting its environment. Tip: Under no circumstances fall for a maidenhair fern. They are needy and temperamental and have a high mortality rate in the hands of amateurs.
Aloe Vera Botanical name: Aloe barbadensis Aloe, aloe – welcome these spiky wonders into your home for more than one reason. They are living first aid kits – keep one in the kitchen to salve burns and scrapes. Simply snap off a small length of leaf and squeeze the pure gel onto the wound. You can also add the gel to healthy drinks. Prefers: Sandy soil. Allow soil to dry between deep waterings and repot only when roots appear from the bottom of the pot. Hates: Premature repotting. Harsh light, high humidity – like most succulents, they’d rather not live in the bathroom.
Cast-Iron Plant Botanical name: Aspidistra elatior
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