Campbelltown gardener says indoor plant popularity on the rise

If you’ve been on social media in the past 12 months, chances are you’ve come across someone who has decided to buy a bunch of indoor plants. Tim’s Garden Centre owner, Tim Pickles says indoor plants have become a social media trend due to ongoing Covid-19 lockdowns. The Campbelltown gardener and businessman said over the past 12 months there had been an influx of residents looking for the perfect leafy companion. “Indoor plants have become a collectible,” Mr Pickles said. “People come in wanting to get new plants before their friends have them. “They take pictures of them and post them on Instagram or Facebook so they can show off their collection. “Indoor plants are definitely in fashion right now.” Mr Pickles said the last time indoor plants sparked such a surge in popularity people were sporting mullets, bell bottoms and high-waisted pants. “Back in the 70’s indoor plants were extremely popular and now we have this resurgence of retro furniture and indoor plants are coming with it,” he said. “We are even seeing furniture ads on TV where indoor plants are included in the rooms so it’s really becoming a part of our culture again.” Mr Pickles said the benefit of indoor plants was that most of them were particularly hard to kill. “There is a plant called the fiddle leaf fig which is very fashionable at the moment,” he said. “It has big green leaves, it’s very hardy and it is very easy to look after. “Peace Lillies are also popular they have beautiful leaves and if they get enough light they will even bloom these beautiful white flowers. “You’ve also got the Cast Iron Plant and it is called that because it is pretty hard to kill. “Kentia palms are also pretty popular, and those are great because they are an Australian native that is actually grown on Lord Howe Island.” Mr Pickles said scientific evidence had proven that people are healthier and happier around plants. “We need to be around greenery – studies have shown that indoor plants can remove toxins from the air in your home,” he said. “Just being outside can make you feel better.” The avid green thumb said people had also decided to branch out in their outdoor gardens as well. “During the first lockdowns last year people would come in wanting to grow their own fruit and vegetables,” Mr Pickles said. “And some of them had success which encouraged them to keep going, so some of them have become gardeners. “People who never thought they would be gardeners come in and tell me that they are actually enjoying it.” Mr Pickles encouraged people considering buying a plant to go out and buy one. “Don’t be scared of it, put that fear of killing it aside,” he said. “These plants grow on the floor of jungles getting barely any light, just put them in a room where they can get some morning sun and water them once a week. “You don’t need to overdo it.”

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If you’ve been on social media in the past 12 months, chances are you’ve come across someone who has decided to buy a bunch of indoor plants.

Tim’s Garden Centre owner, Tim Pickles says indoor plants have become a social media trend due to ongoing Covid-19 lockdowns.

The Campbelltown gardener and businessman said over the past 12 months there had been an influx of residents looking for the perfect leafy companion.

“Indoor plants have become a collectible,” Mr Pickles said.

“People come in wanting to get new plants before their friends have them.

“They take pictures of them and post them on Instagram or Facebook so they can show off their collection.

“Indoor plants are definitely in fashion right now.”

Mr Pickles said the last time indoor plants sparked such a surge in popularity people were sporting mullets, bell bottoms and high-waisted pants.

“Back in the 70’s indoor plants were extremely popular and now we have this resurgence of retro furniture and indoor plants are coming with it,” he said.

“We are even seeing furniture ads on TV where indoor plants are included in the rooms so it’s really becoming a part of our culture again.”

Mr Pickles said the benefit of indoor plants was that most of them were particularly hard to kill.

“There is a plant called the fiddle leaf fig which is very fashionable at the moment,” he said.

“It has big green leaves, it’s very hardy and it is very easy to look after.

“Peace Lillies are also popular they have beautiful leaves and if they get enough light they will even bloom these beautiful white flowers.

“You’ve also got the Cast Iron Plant and it is called that because it is pretty hard to kill.

“Kentia palms are also pretty popular, and those are great because they are an Australian native that is actually grown on Lord Howe Island.”

Mr Pickles said scientific evidence had proven that people are healthier and happier around plants.

“We need to be around greenery – studies have shown that indoor plants can remove toxins from the air in your home,” he said.

“Just being outside can make you feel better.”

The avid green thumb said people had also decided to branch out in their outdoor gardens as well.

“During the first lockdowns last year people would come in wanting to grow their own fruit and vegetables,” Mr Pickles said.

“And some of them had success which encouraged them to keep going, so some of them have become gardeners.

“People who never thought they would be gardeners come in and tell me that they are actually enjoying it.”

Mr Pickles encouraged people considering buying a plant to go out and buy one.

“Don’t be scared of it, put that fear of killing it aside,” he said.

“These plants grow on the floor of jungles getting barely any light, just put them in a room where they can get some morning sun and water them once a week.

“You don’t need to overdo it.”

This story Campbelltown gardener says indoor plant popularity on the rise first appeared on Wollondilly Advertiser.