Looking to challenge your green thumb?
Or maybe you’re just looking for the next exotic addition for the plant room, sun room, solarium or greenhouse?
Adding plants to your sunny living space can make it the conversation piece of your home. It’s interesting and it can be just what you need to make the room feel alive. In this article we’ll look at some of the trendiest plants, trees and flowers that thrive in solariums.
So let’s break down our top ten trending plants, trees and flowers…
10. String of pearls (Curio rowleyanus) /Burro's tail (Sedum morganianum)
Ok, we have a few ties in the countdown for very similar plants, but we want you too see them both. Succulents love to fill in the little awkward spots. A side table or coffee table can make a beautiful home for these fascinating plants. There’s only one buzz word for these little 3D leaves… “cute”
The “String of Pearls” or Curio rowleyanus, syn. Senecio rowleyanus, is a flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae, native to the drier parts of southwest Africa.
The Sedum morganianum, the donkey tail or “Burro’s Tail”, is a species of flowering plant native to southern Mexico and Honduras. It is a succulent perennial producing trailing stems up to 2 ft long, with fleshy blue-green leaves and terminal pink to red flowers in summer.
9. Yucca (Yucca filamentosa) /Dragon Tree (Dracaena draco)
These little trees bring a big personality. You need to make room for their many sprawling, pointy leaves. Let them dazzle under a corner lamp in the evening while they make a grand statement during the day. Their sharp geometry is sure to give your sunroom the dynamic you’re looking for.
The Yucca is a genus of perennial shrubs and trees in the family Asparagaceae. They are native to the hot and dry (arid) parts of the Americas and the Caribbean.
Dracaena draco, the Canary Islands dragon tree or drago,[3] is a subtropical tree in the genus Dracaena, native to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Madeira, western Morocco. Its closest living relative is the dragon’s blood tree of Socotra, Dracaena cinnabari.
8. Aloe Vera
It’s the mother of all succulents. Sure, we all remember the Aloe Vera plant perched on every kitchen window growing up, but these classics are making a big come back; The bigger the better. At scale these plants take on an almost prehistoric feel. And hey, you’ll probably need that soothing aloe relief on your sun-kissed skin after all the time you’re spending in your plant sanctuary.
Aloe vera is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe.[3] An evergreen perennial, it originates from the Arabian Peninsula, but grows wild in tropical, semi-tropical, and arid climates around the world.[3] It is cultivated for agricultural and medicinal uses.[3]
7. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Now, don’t let the name scare you off. The snake plant doesn’t attract snakes, but it’s definitely attractive. This plant’s beautiful markings and laid back style make it one of the most popular staples in any sun filled space.
Dracaena trifasciata is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to tropical West Africa from Nigeria east to the Congo. It is most commonly known as the snake plant, Saint George’s sword, mother-in-law’s tongue, and viper’s bowstring hemp, among other names.
6. Monstera (Monstera deliciosa)
The Monstera, on the other hand, can get pretty scary. It reaches out in every direction with long arms and big hands and fingers. It will take over any space it finds itself occupying. I recommend you just let the Monstera do its thing.
Monstera deliciosa, the Swiss cheese plant,[2] is a species of flowering plant native to tropical forests of southern Mexico, south to Panama.[3]
5. Hibiscus
Flower power! Who doesn’t love bringing a little bit of colour into the situation? And every sunny situation room needs Hibiscus flowers to balance things out. Use the bright colours to draw the eye and pull the room together. This little side table sidekick is definitely our favourite flower by far.
Hibiscus[2][3] is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. Native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Member species are renowned for their large, showy flowers and those species are commonly known simply as “hibiscus”, or less widely known as rose mallow. Other names include hardy hibiscus, rose of sharon, and tropical hibiscus.
A tea made from hibiscus flowers is known by many names around the world and is served both hot and cold. The beverage is known for its red colour, tart flavour, and vitamin C content.
4. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
If Aloe Vera is the mama of all succulents the Jade Plant is the big daddy. This plant has burley branches with soft playful leaves that give off good vibes in every direction. It could be why people dubbed it the “lucky plant” or the “money tree”. Nope not the “Pachira Aquatica” (little braided money tree). We like them too, but there’s only room on this exclusive list for ONE lucky money tree and we’ve made our choice.
Crassula ovata, commonly known as jade plant, lucky plant, money plant or money tree, is a succulent plant with small pink or white flowers that is native to the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa, and Mozambique. It is sometimes referred to as the money tree; however, Pachira aquatica also has this nickname.
3. Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
This sexy beast hails from the island of Japan. There is something sensual about its feathered palm leaves stretching out like the tail of a green peacock. Do you dare give it what it wants? Make it the center of attention. You do dare.
Cycas revoluta, is a species of gymnosperm in the family Cycadaceae, native to southern Japan including the Ryukyu Islands. It is one of several species used for the production of sago, as well as an ornamental plant. The sago cycad can be distinguished by a thick coat of fibers on its trunk.
2. Birds of Paradise (Strelitzia)
This African giant needs no introduction, but we like it so much we will introduce it anyway. The Birds of Paradise will have your solarium flirting with jungle status in no time. It doesn’t get more lush and leafy then this beauty. And the big pay off, the stunning flowers that give it its namesake. When it blooms you’ll swear you hear birds singing songs from deep in the South African forest.
Strelitzia /strɛˈlɪtsiə/[1] is a genus of five species of perennial plants, native to South Africa. It belongs to the plant family Strelitziaceae.[2] The genus is named after Queen Charlotte of the United Kingdom. A common name of the genus is bird of paradise flower/plant, because of a resemblance of its flowers to birds-of-paradise.
1. Banana Tree
You could have a lemon or a lime but when it comes to the tree that puts the cherry on your sun filled living oasis, we take the cherry off and put the banana on top. Picture yourself lying back under your towering banana trees as they fan you like royalty. Yes. The pinnacle of your cultivation quest ends with the literal fruits of your labours, and by far one of THE must have plants to crown your plant room, sun room, solarium or greenhouse the king of green spaces.
Musa species are native to tropical Indomalaya and Australia, and are likely to have been first domesticated in Papua New Guinea.[4][5] They are grown in 135 countries,[6] primarily for their fruit, and to a lesser extent to make fiber, banana wine, and banana beer and as ornamental plants.
One thing this pandemic has shown us is that caring for plants is fun, fashionable and fulfilling. It really is amazing how a big ‘Birds of Paradise’ in the right corner can bring a sunroom to life! Planning your plant room layout has never been more in vogue.
If you want to take your sun room, or your entire home to the next level; if you love beautiful homes and interior design ideas; if you yourself would be interested or have a friend that would love to see what’s possible with Perma-Wood Solariums please follow us and share this post.