Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan, are the masterminds behind the Sydney-based interior design nursery Leaf Supply. They have professional backgrounds in interior architecture and advertising, respectively. Together, they have previously authored Leaf Supply and Indoor Jungle for Smith Street Books. Now, in Plantopedia: The Definitive Guide to Houseplants, Lauren and Sophia present the definitive guide to keeping happy, healthy houseplants in any space.
Read the introduction to Plantopedia below!
Connecting with plants
The process of nurturing life (plant or person) is driven by an innately human desire. The benefits of this connection to plants, in our increasingly urban lives, are not to be overlooked.
For many of us living in inner-city apartments with limited access to greenery, and even for those living in more suburban or rural areas, caring for and tending to plants in our homes is something we should eagerly embrace.
Growing and looking after an indoor garden is rewarding; a therapeutic endeavour that can help foster a better relationship with the natural world. At a time when negative human impact on the environment has never been more apparent, appreciating the value of nature and how it sustains us is of the utmost importance. Perhaps this goes some way to explaining the increasing popularity of indoor gardening in recent times. Now, more than ever, we need to reassess the way we live and learn how we can tread more lightly on our planet.
Plantopedia is an accessible and modern indoor-plant encyclopedia that we hope will help cultivate this human connection to plants. We profile a comprehensive range of foliage plants, succulents and cacti, from readily available varieties to rarer unicorns that will appeal to everyone from novice gardeners to horticultural experts. We look at each genus before deep-diving into individual species, to inspire you to either start or expand your own plant collection. All plants are, of course, naturally outdoor organisms, and when we refer to houseplants we are speaking of those that enjoy the conditions provided by being inside our living and working spaces. Thankfully for us, there are many foliage and succulent varieties that live happily indoors, from aroids, ferns and begonias to Rhipsalis and Euphorbia.
When caring for plants, it’s best to try to mimic their natural environment, so it is important to understand where they originate, as well as how they grow in the wild. The key to success is to choose plant varieties that are best suited to the specific conditions in your space. Once you know what you’re dealing with, you are in a good position to select species that will thrive.
All plants are, of course, naturally outdoor organisms, and when we refer to houseplants we are speaking of those that enjoy the conditions provided by being inside our living and working spaces.
For ease of use we have created a detailed key that covers all the essentials: care level, light, water, soil, humidity, propagation, growth habit, positioning and toxicity. We troubleshoot any plant issues you might come across and discuss common pests and diseases that can invade your collection. Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to manage and understand your plants’ life cycles and their beautiful imperfections. Up the back, a plant care index makes navigating the plant profiles a breeze and a stunning visual index groups plants based on their care requirements so you can easily pick and choose the right plants for you and the space you live in. We’ve also included a helpful glossary to refer to if there are any terms you’re unsure of as you make your way through the book.
With access to the collections of some incredibly passionate plant people, we have been able to photograph most of the plants profiled in this book. These striking portraits illustrate the myriad shapes, textures, colours and beauty of the indoor plant world. While this book is by no means exhaustive, it’s a comprehensive guide for indoor gardeners of all levels. We hope it will educate and inspire you to nurture your own indoor oasis and perhaps grow your collection. We encourage you to share your plants with our Leaf Supply community by tagging @leaf_supply and using the hashtag #plantopedia so we can share in your plant pursuits. Now go forth and garden!
–Extract from Plantopedia: The Definitive Guide to Houseplants by Lauren Camilleri & Sophia Kaplan (Smith Street Books), out now.
Plantopedia
The Definitive Guide to Houseplants
Houseplants have the power to transform any room. With their lush foliage and structural beauty, they help create indoor oases that bring a sense of tranquility to our busy lives. Fostering a connection to plants has many positive implications for us and our environment by strengthening our relationship with the natural world.
In Plantopedia, Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan from Leaf Supply present the definitive guide to keeping happy, healthy houseplants in any space...
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