SOMETHING DIFFERENT
FOR FLOWERING MOTH ORCHID
The most reliable plant to flower is the Moth Orchid. You can get it from supermarkets now, due to the changes in propagation technology. Thirty years ago they were much more expensive. They like the same humidity and light levels that people like, so your Moth Orchid will be happy in most rooms.
Where to buy: You may well be able to pick this up in your local supermarket, but you can also buy online. Prestige Flowers sells a decent-sized specimen for £26.99. prestigeflowers.co.uk
FOR A CHALLENGE BRIGHAMIA
Extinct in the wild, Brighamia, right, looks like something from Dr Seuss. It has a big cabbage crown of leaves, and white flowers that grow out of the top. It’s very striking. Brighamia requires really bright light, so it needs to be on a bright windowsill, and it should be watered enough to keep it moist but you mustn’t let it sit in water. If you can grow this, you can grow anything. Where to buy: We had trouble tracking down any in stock, but at the time of writing we found a beautiful specimen on Etsy for £25.99. Buy before it’s gone. etsy.com
FOR A TERRARIUM
Bucephalandra This small plant from Borneo grows in rivers and is usually sold in the aquarium trade. It’s advisable to get plants for terrariums from aquarium shops – they just require very humid air, which is what you get in a sealed terrarium. And unlike many plants people buy for terrariums, they won’t grow out of the top in a few weeks. Where to buy: Aquarium specialist Aqua Essentials has small pots available for £8.99. They offer discounts if you are buying three or more of them. aquaessentials.co.uk
FOR SCENT CALAMONDIN
Scent can really impact your mood – and any citrus plant smells nice. If you’re short on space, go for a Calamondin lime, left. It’s quite small, won’t overwhelm your living room and the fruit is the size of a 50p piece. Citrus plants like really bright light, so position it as close to a window as you can. Where to buy: A compact calamondin tree from Plants4Presents comes with the option of a free container, £30. plants4presents.co.uk