In celebration of Houseplant Appreciation Week, renowned houseplant guru and interior landscaper Ian Drummond shares his top five houseplants to take centre stage in 2025.

The author of At Home with Plants predicts houseplants will be more popular than ever this year due to the growing awareness of the health benefits and aesthetic appeal of indoor plants.

Monstera esqueleto (Monstera epipremnoides)
This stunning houseplant has distinguished large fenestrated leaves as large as three feet long, requires plenty of indirect sunlight and needs evenly moist soil. Keep the top two inches of soil dry to the touch.

White bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)
They have beautiful, long broad glossy leaves; best positioned in bright direct light, they thrive in warm humid conditions. Water sparingly allowing the compost to almost completely dry out between waterings.

Satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus ‘Exotica’)
These beautiful plants have thick, striking, heart-shaped leaves. Water sparingly and only water when an inch or so of the topsoil is dry. Requires regular misting and lots of indirect sunlight.

Alocasia ‘Frydek’ (v)
Gorgeous, variegated leaves with each leaf having its own unique pattern – but it’s not the easiest plant to maintain! Requires good light, but too much direct sunlight can scorch its leaves, and too little light can cause leggy growth. Keep soil consistently moist but not so much that it’s waterlogged.

Ficus benghalensis ‘Audrey’
Large, thick, oval-shaped leathery leaves; like most ficus, it prefers to be in bright indirect or direct sunlight. Keep soil consistently moist though not too wet and never allow it to dry out completely. Mist regularly.