Text: Patricia McCracken and Marian van Wyk. Photographs: Sally Chance and Greg Cox. Article from the November 2012 issue of Garden and Home Magazine.
Whether your style is classic or contemporary, you can invite the tranquillity of nature into your home with the latest indoor plant trends
The Conservatory Party
A contemporary take on a traditional conservatory was the perfect finishing touch for this new-build, colonial-inspired home in Umhlanga, KZN
Today’s engineering developments have made conservatories more practical for South Africa,” says Simon Carr of Gauteng’s Beautiful Structures. Options to prevent stifling and scorching temperatures inside your conservatory include motorised external awnings, triple glazing and wall-mounted air conditioning. “Building’s also easier with cost-cutting prefabrication using safety glass or Perspex. We offer four styles of extension conservatories, as well as prefabricated and DIY options.”
“Conservatories are becoming a lifestyle statement with clients using them as a gym, bathroom or entertaining area,” adds Henk Smith of Limpopo’s The Crystal Conservatory, which supplies high-end galvanised steel Victorian-style conservatories imported from the US and a DIY option. “Keep in mind that they are permanent structures so you need municipal approval.”
Homeowner Jeanne Clark wanted her Umhlanga conservatory to be both a relaxing sunroom and a haven for plants such as ferns, bromeliads, orchids and cyclamens. Together with the patio beyond, it forms a bridge between the home and lush garden.
Inspired by historical films and homes such as Lynton Hall on the South Coast and Durban’s King’s House, Jeanne wanted it to feature traditional details such as wooden frames from local joiner Neville Kaiser, a skylight and bevelled window glass.
“I personalised the area with intriguing pieces I’ve collected over years,” says Jeanne, “botanical prints, garden aprons, quirky oversized wooden scissors, recycled decorations and green Spode china.” Practical notes include white tiles with black insets and a sink for flower arranging.
The marble-topped tables and vintage ironmongery were imported from France, while designer Pierre 
Cronje created the centrepiece dresser and storage.
Sources
Beautiful Structures beautifulstructures.co.za
Kaiser’s Joinery 031 705 3904
Pierre Cronje pierrecronje.co.za
The Crystal Conservatory thecrystalconservatory.co.za
Urban Jungle
Upside-down herbs, suspended orchids and glassware plantings give this modern urban interior an organic twist
While indoor plants bring an air of tranquillity to our homes, this trend is also a response to increasing urban development,” says Marissa Pretorius from Opus Studio in Woodstock, Cape Town, who created the beautiful plantings for this Cape Town apartment.
“Designed for smaller spaces and city living, current planting trends are about blurring the boundaries between indoors and out. We now see plants integrated into furniture, stacked planters, suspended plants, wall gardens, terrariums and window farming.”
Despite the abundance of options, less is often more, as seen here. “We wanted a large house plant not only as an organic element, but also as a visual room divider between our dining area and lounge,” says the owner, referring to his ficus tree.
The latest suspended plant craze is a far cry from the haphazard hanging baskets of the 1970s. The look is structured, contained and often quirky, like the upside-down Boskke Sky Planters from I’Emile-et-Son. These fun ceramic pots save space and conserve water thanks to their clever Slo-Flo irrigation system. In the absence of any container, Marissa’s suspended orchid creations are all about pure botanical beauty. Simple compositions, such as the various glass vessels from Country Road, Woolworths and Weylandts grouped together as planters, are also bang on trend.
“While beauty and sustainability are key,” Marissa says, “this trend is not essentially about sculptural or floral aspects, but more about easy, low-maintenance plants that make a statement, like orchids, succulents and bromeliads. Herbs also remain popular.”
Plant Care
All house plants need food, water and light to thrive. How much will depend on the variety. Marissa shares these tips:
Choosing a pot
Consider the root size. If the pot is too small, the plant will dry out. Too large and the roots will overdevelop, leaving the stems neglected. Proportion and drainage are essential.
Watering
I water my hanging plants by placing the ball (comprising soil and moss) in a bowl of water for 2-3 minutes. I then gently squeeze the ball to allow the water to soak into the centre.
This should last a week. When in doubt, simply hold the ball in your hand. If it feels light, it’s time for watering. For potted plants, don’t water if the soil is still moist.
Light, temperature and ventilation
Most indoor plants prefer a humid atmosphere and indirect light. Good ventilation is essential, but avoid a strong draft.
Fertiliser
Regular fertilising helps to maintain healthy growth. Use an all-around fertiliser that can be added when watering.
Sources
Country Road 011 290 2500 or 021 405 4300
Entrepo entrepo.co.za
I’Emile-et-Son I-emile-et-son.com/store
Opus Studio 072 785 6002 or opusstudio.co.za
Weylandts 0860 103 400 or weylandts.co.za
Woolworths 0860 022 002 or woolworths.co.za
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