Plants

Calathea

Calathea house plants are a very versatile plant that can be placed in various interior sets to add life. Being such a big family of plants means you can use a variety of different types to add different patterns and tones to a space. Overall, they thrive in high-humidity spaces like bathrooms or kitchens, and do best out of direct sunlight. However, they can be put in all interior sets as long as they aren't placed in fully shaded areas. A key characteristic is their shiny, rubber-like leaves. It's important to get the glossiness and tone of the leaves correct as this is something that gives away CGI interiors when incorrect.

Types of Calathea

Calathea orbifolia

Humidity: High levels

Light: Diffused, indirect sunlight

Can tolerate a degree of shade

Connecter Link:

cnctr.msg:H4sIAAAAAAAEAKtWCqksSFWyUvIszs9JLEkNy0wt900tLk5MT1XSUXLKT6kEylXHgFXFKFkZ6cQoeZak5hYD2dFAYU8XIMPc1MDMrDa2VqkWAP+KZ3dOAAAA:endmsg

Calathea orNATA

Also known as: Pin Stripe

Humidity: High levels

Light: Diffused, indirect sunlight

Can tolerate a degree of shade

Connecter link:

cnctr.msg:H4sIAAAAAAAEAKtWCqksSFWyUvIszs9JLEkNy0wt900tLk5MT1XSUXLKT6kEylXHgFXFKFkZ6cQoeZak5hYD2dFAYU8XkKC5oalhbWytUi0AhkP/X04AAAA=:endmsg

room type suitability

BATHROOM

Peace Lily

The Peace Lily

Deep green, glossy leaves
Silky, white petals
Fully opaque leaves

Native to the steamy jungles of Bolivia, peace lilies will thrive in bright indirect light or light shade and high humidity - so perfect for a bathroom.

Example Connecter Link:

cnctr.msg:H4sIAAAAAAAEAKtWCqksSFWyUvIszs9JLEkNy0wt900tLk5MT1XSUXLKT6kEylXHgFXFKFkZ6cQoeZak5hYD2dFAYU8XkKCFkZlhbWytUi0AKZEhP04AAAA=:endmsg

POTHOS

The Pothos

Matte, silvery leaves
Hanging or trailing vine
Heart shape leaves

Pothos ( also known as epipremnum) will thrive in warm, humid and bright conditions, although they can cope in a wide range of light conditions, including light shade.

Example Connecter Link:

cnctr.msg:H4sIAAAAAAAEAKtWCqksSFWyUvIszs9JLEkNy0wt900tLk5MT1XSUXLKT6kEylXHgFXFKFkZ6cQoeZak5hYD2dFAYU8XIMPc1MDIsDa2VqkWAFSeLZ5OAAAA:endmsg

Or search: "GENERIC_3DC_INTERIOR_PLANTS_01_POTO"

MONSTERA

The Monstera

Glossy, rubber like leaves
Dark green
Fully opaque leaves

Monstera (also known as swiss cheese plant) will thrive in bright indirect light, but can also acclimatise to full sun or light shade. Although not essential, they are happiest in places with a bit of humidity.

Example Connecter Link:

cnctr.msg:H4sIAAAAAAAEAKtWCqksSFWyUvIszs9JLEkNy0wt900tLk5MT1XSUXLKT6kEylXHgFXFKFkZ6cQoeZak5hYD2dFAYU8XIMPc1MDYuDa2VqkWAOs0knVOAAAA:endmsg

Or search:

"MONSTERA"

Calathea

The Calathea

Light green leaves with silver stripes
Leaves curling round on the edges

To give Calathea houseplants the best chance of thriving it's important to recreate the conditions of their native habitat. They should be kept out of direct sunshine, by a north-facing window or set back from the window in a bright room. Calatheas love high humidity, making them perfect for a kitchen or bathroom.

Example Connecter Link:

cnctr.msg:H4sIAAAAAAAEAKtWCqksSFWyUvIszs9JLEkNy0wt900tLk5MT1XSUXLKT6kEylXHgFXFKFkZ6cQoeZak5hYD2dFAYU8XIMPc1MDMsja2VqkWACo4MYZOAAAA:endmsg

Or search:

"CALATHEA"

BOSTON FERN

The Boston Fern

curly and wavy small leaves
Glossy finish

Boston Fern houseplants love warmth, high humidity (around 80 per cent) and moist soil. They will keep best in kitchens or bathrooms.

Example Connecter Link:

cnctr.msg:H4sIAAAAAAAEAKtWCqksSFWyUvIszs9JLEkNy0wt900tLk5MT1XSUXLKT6kEylXHgFXFKFkZ6cQoeZak5hYD2dFAYU8XIMPYwMjMsDa2VqkWAA9YO2tOAAAA:endmsg

Bird of paradise

The Bird of Paradise

large, deep-green, paddle-shaped leaves
Glossy, rubber-like finish

Bird of paradise (also known as strelitzia nicolai) indoor plants love warmth, sunlight and humidity.

It is natural for there to be some tears in bird of paradise leaves, which is an evolved feature of the plant to let in more light to its lower leaves.

Example Connecter Link:

cnctr.msg:H4sIAAAAAAAEAKtWCqksSFWyUvIszs9JLEkNy0wt900tLk5MT1XSUXLKT6kEylXHgFXFKFkZ6cQoeZak5hYD2dFAYU8XIMPYwNTAuDa2VqkWACfF5k9OAAAA:endmsg

Or search:

"STRELITIZIA"

Elephant Ear Polly

The Elephant Ear Polly

Dark green leave with thick silvery veins
Crinkled/ wavy leaves
Glossy, rubber-like finish

In their native habitats, Alocasia lives in very humid and warm tropical conditions. In UK homes, they need as much light, humidity and warmth as possible.

Example Connecter Link:

cnctr.msg:H4sIAAAAAAAEAKtWCqksSFWyUvIszs9JLEkNy0wt900tLk5MT1XSUXLKT6kEylXHgFXFKFkZ6cQoeZak5hYD2dFAYU8XIMPc1MDUsDa2VqkWANqgiltOAAAA:endmsg

Or search:

"ALOCASIA"

FIDDLE LEAF FIG TREE

The Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Slight transparency to the leaves (see last photo)
Thick and leathery dark green leaves
Glossy, rubber-like finish

Also known as Ficus lyrata, Fiddle Leaf Figs will be happiest in bright and humid conditions. They will be happy in a range of light conditions from full to half sun.

Example Connecter Link:

cnctr.msg:H4sIAAAAAAAEAKtWCqksSFWyUvIszs9JLEkNy0wt900tLk5MT1XSUXLKT6kEylXHgFXFKFkZ6cQoeZak5hYD2dFAYU8XIMPYwMTCuDa2VqkWAN6Lo7BOAAAA:endmsg

Or search:

"FICUS" and choose one that matches the references above

SOIL

Top dressing is a layer of inorganic matter (such as pebbles. rocks or sea shells) completely covering the soil to a depth of about a 1/3 inch, and is left in place.

There are many benefits to using a top dressing on succulents including protection from heavy waterfall, weeds and retaining moisture/ temperature.

In 3D it's really important that the rocks have dimension and form rather than looking flat. As you can see below in picture 4, there are rocks at varying heights piled on top of each other rather than all laying at the same height.

This also applies to the soil, the edge should not be straight. Soil is added loosely and not patted down so there may be different clumps of soil at different heights too.

PLANTS IN BASKETS

When displaying a plant in a basket, there would usually be a few layers between the soil and woven material. The plant would be in a plastic grow pot and that would then be put into a plastic lined basket. The grow pot would have a similar diameter to the basket so it fits tightly in there although this can vary on the stylists choice of basket.

Plastic lined basket

Plant in grow pot

Page updated

Report abuse