Plants are arguably one of the most fun ways to liven up a room. They’re colorful, easy to transport, and offer plenty of variety in shape, size and appearance. They also give us all a chance to care for something—usually, with plants, what you put in is what you’ll get out. In that case, education is key, so we called up local plant specialists at four nurseries to ask them about what they’ll be investing in this year and why, as well as their best tips for care and maintenance. Here’s what they had to say.
Larry Fendler is the owner of Fendler’s Nursery & Garden Center in South St. Louis County, where the nursery has been a staple on the plant scene since 1954. According to Fendler, both new and experienced plant enthusiasts often seek the same qualities in houseplants: colorful, low-maintenance, and excellent air purifiers. If this sounds good to you, the next time you’re at your local nursery, Fendler suggested checking out the “Ring of Fire” Philodendron or the Chinese Evergreen.
“This striking philodendron has variegated foliage with a unique ‘ring of fire’ pattern around the leaves,” he says. “It can thrive in various lighting conditions and is truly a special houseplant.”
The Chinese Evergreen is another favorite and that has a lot to do with its captivating visual appearance consisting of pink, red, and silver tones. It does well in low-light conditions and is a great choice for anyone who doesn’t want to have to spend a lot of time on their plants.
Austin Carrico, assistant retail manager at Chesterfield Valley Nursery, says that some of his favorites this year include Ficus trees, Anthuriums, and the classic Cacti.
Ficus trees are a great option, Carrico says, because of the variety of color, shape, and sizes available.
“If you’re looking for a large stand-alone specimen for a nicely lit room in your home, I stand by the Ficus Lyrata or Fiddle Leaf Fig,” Carrico says. “This tree adds a modern touch to any room with its solid glossy green leaves and upright growth habit.”
These trees, which hail from Africa, love loads of sunshine. They also favor routine watering, once every one or two weeks depending on size and space.
Ficus trees are easy to prune and propagate. “You can make smaller plants to gift to friends and family,” he says.
Anthuriums are becoming a hot new plant on the market, says Carrico. Their leaves come brightly colored—from red and white blooming varieties to those with dark red and green leaves and silvery veins.
“These plants are great for the eccentric decorator,” Carrico says. “[They] love humidity and light, so they make great additions to a bright bathroom or even kitchen window if it is not too drafty.”
Get a weekly dose of home and style inspiration
Subscribe to the St. Louis Design+Home newsletter to explore the latest stories from the local interior design, fashion, and retail scene.
Maintenance, however, can be a little more tricky. They like to be kept consistently damp, so Carrico suggests them to plant owners who have a bit more experience.
Cacti, on the other hand, are endlessly versatile and easy to maintain with a little bit of sunlight and water. In addition, they mesh well with any design—modern spaces, farmhouse style, even industrial spaces—and withstand the heat of Missouri summers with ease.
“When it comes to recommending plants, [cacti] can find a home in just about anyone’s space,” Carrico says. “With the variation in size, they are great options for people with different requirements and different styles.”
If you’re looking for something with a touch more flair, Abby Lapides from Sugar Creek Gardens in Kirkwood offers a glowing recommendation. “One of the most exciting new houseplants this year is a glow-in-the-dark Petunia called ‘Firefly.’ A beautiful white flowering Petunia by day, Firefly transforms at night with its memorizing luminescence, emanating a soft moon-like glow,” Lapides says.
How did the Firefly Petunia come to be? It’s the result of cutting-edge biotechnology: Scientists spliced the DNA of the Petunia with bioluminescent mushrooms, creating this wonder. According to Lapides, the plant can be treated as you would a typical Petunia, planted outdoors or potted as a houseplant and left in a south or westward-facing window with plenty of sunlight and regular liquid fertilizing. Pauline Cella of Planthaven Farms is also all-in on the Firefly Petunia. Cella’s nursery plans to grow some of the plants in-house, an exciting venture to keep an eye out for later this spring.
Have a question for the Ask Veronica column? Send your questions to Veronica Theodoro at [email protected].
Get more advice from local plant experts on the House of Lou podcast:
