Australian plants do not figure prominently when we think about plants suitable for growing indoors. There are a few species that we know will take kindly to life indoors plus many others worth trying.
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Australian rainforest plants are used to growing in low-light conditions because of dense tree canopies, similar to that encountered indoors.
Within our rich rainforest flora there are some beautiful species with attractive foliage that should be suitable for indoor cultivation.
Antarctic beech, coachwood, various lilly pillys, rosewood and sassafras are some varieties that could be tried for their indoor suitability. Many of these species are found in the local rainforest areas of New England National Park and Washpool National Park.
This time, we will concentrate on those varieties that have been grown successfully indoors.
They need to be accommodated in a reasonable-sized pot with a minimum diameter of 20cm. A good quality potting mix formulated for native plants should be used. A dressing of slow release should be applied every six months.
The famous wollemi pine would be an interesting addition to an indoor area...
Plants should not be over-watered. Push a finger into the mix; if the mix feels dry then the plant needs some water.
Every month or so, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove the dust and as a special treat take them outside for a few days in the warmer months.
The famous wollemi pine would be an interesting addition to an indoor area with reasonable light level. In the wild and in gardens this unique species will reach tree height but in a container and indoors will be reach a height less than 3m.
The knobbly bark resembles Rice Bubbles. In fact bushwalkers, before the species was discovered botanically, knew it as the “Rice Bubble Tree”. Leaves are flat, 8cm long, spirally arranged around the branches and as they mature change from bright lime-green to yellowish green. Mature plants develop male and female cones on the ends of the branches.
The wollemi pine is a “double-barrelled” plant. For most of the year, it fills the role as an indoor plant, then it can be decorated as a unique Aussie Christmas tree.
Backhousia citriodora, lemon-scented myrtle, is another candidate for indoor cultivation. This medium shrub has light green leves that are heavily lemon-scented. Young foliage is reddish. Plants produce clusters of white flowers in summer and autumn.
This is another “double-barrelled” plant. Apart from its decorative features, the leaves are used for flavouring all sorts of dishes.
Finally we have the Davidson plum. This inhabitant of the rainforests of northern NSW and southern Queensland will develop into a tall, single-trunked upright shrub. The leaves are large, hairy and divided into 7-17 large, toothless leaflets.
A specimen grew in for many years in a laboratory at UNE.
For those interested in experimental horticulture, there is a plethora of rainforest species waiting to be tested for life indoors. We will return to this topic in the future.
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