Bear in mind the ubiquitous Boston fern, the baskets of Wandering Jew vines as well as the Swedish ivy monitoring from macramé-hung pots? Thanks to inventions among breeders, these oldies have evolved into modern houseplants.
There’s a new interest in houseplants with technicolor blossoms and foliage. Check out some of the variegated leaf designs in the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in January 2012. You’ll be inspired by these indoor plants and creative ways to display them.
Debra Prinzing
Miniature African violets in 2-inch baskets seem pretty sweet exhibited in a tiered cupcake tree. This creative idea would be perfect for a brunch or birthday party cottages.
Debra Prinzing
Horrors! Or you find this mesmerizing. Plainview Growers of Pompton Plains, New Jersey, has imported Dutch technology to provide American orchid lovers a ‘Blue Diamond’ blossom. Even the “color-fused” system turns an ordinary white phalaenopsis orchid into something you’ve never quite seen before.
Debra Prinzing
This is the form of tropical blossom that happens. Aechmea ‘Blue Tango’ is a hybrid bromeliad having a gorgeous fuschia and purplish-blue blossom.
Debra Prinzing
A rainbow of hot fresh bromeliad species spreads over a wall screen by Bullis Bromeliads from Princeton, Florida. This species is called Neoregelia, as it comes in speckled, splashed, streaked and striped colors.
Debra Prinzing
From Stewart’s Greenhouse at Mount Dora, Florida, this Calathea lancifolia was named Best New Launch of the 2012 Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition. You can find out why: The striking marks of dark green against the lighter green make this a dazzling indoor houseplant.
Debra Prinzing
Kalanchoe ‘Fantastic’ is also called the throw plant. Green forms abound, but this uncommon tricolor variety is a great selection for containers. Transfer it to the patio in the summer months.
Debra Prinzing
What a stunning piece of living wall art. These tillandsias, or air plants, are exhibited in a cast-stone frame by artist John Lamos of Viducci’s Garden USA.
Debra Prinzing
Stroke this little “pet” air plant (Tillandsia xerographica) and you will want to own it. Its gray-green foliage is stunning, and the curved blades make it feel soft, not spiky.
Debra Prinzing
This is a bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus ‘Victoria’), its own roots found in a patent-pending cocofiber ball called a Root Orb. It is a smart way to display a houseplant without all the dirt. See another photo for how I set it within a glass jar.
Debra Prinzing
My bird’s nest fern rests on a bed of pebbles within a footed glass compote. The main Orb removes the fern in the traditional bud setting and turns it into a decorative and intriguing houseplant.
More:
Bring on the Green : Decorating With Indoor Plants
5 Reasons to Design With Houseplants
Cultivating a Porch Garden
The Succulence of Succulents in the House