13 plants for a spook-tacular Halloween
Spooky, sinister house plants are this year’s trend to celebrate Halloween and Ian Drummond, house plant stylist to the stars and author of At Home With Plants, shares his 13 most spooky plants to create your Halloween display with creepily shaped, darkly coloured or spookily named plants…
1. Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)
- Description: This carnivorous plant features jaw-like traps with fine “teeth” that snap shut on unsuspecting insects. A red interior adds to its sinister appearance.
- Care: Place in a bright spot with at least six hours of full sun or under a grow light. Keep the pot constantly moist by placing it in a saucer of rainwater or distilled water (tap water will kill it). It needs a cool rest period in winter.
- Safety: Do not feed the plant dead insects or trigger the traps yourself, as this wastes the plant’s energy.
2. Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea)
- Description: This variety of pitcher plant features reddish-purple, mottled, or green pitchers that form a rosette. Insects are attracted to the nectar and fall into the pitcher, where they are digested.
- Care: Keep the soil consistently moist with rainwater or distilled water. Place in a sunny spot and grow in a specialised, low-nutrient compost mix.
3. Black Raven ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’)
- Description: This variety of the ZZ plant has glossy, deep green leaves that mature to a rich, dark purple-black. The bulbous rhizomes resemble bones.
- Care: The “Raven” is a very low-maintenance plant. It thrives in medium-to-low light and prefers to dry out completely between waterings.
- Toxicity: This plant is toxic if ingested, so keep it away from pets and children.
4. Black Bat Flower (Tacca chantrieri)
- Description: An exotic and rare plant, its unique, blackish-purple flowers resemble bat wings and have long, whisker-like bracts.
- Care: The bat flower is sensitive to cold and needs consistent warmth and high humidity. It prefers bright, indirect light and needs to be watered regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
5. Philodendron ‘Dark Lord’ (Philodendron erubescens ‘Dark Lord’)
- Description: New leaves emerge in a dark reddish-burgundy colour before maturing into a deep, almost black, shade. The large, heart-shaped foliage can give it a dramatic and sinister appearance.
- Care: Place in bright, indirect light. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
- Safety: This plant is toxic if ingested.
6. Purple Shamrock (Oxalis triangularis)
- Description: Its deep purple, triangular, and heart-shaped leaves fold up at night and reopen in the morning, a motion known as nyctinasty. This gives it a magical and mysterious character.
- Care: This plant prefers bright, indirect light and consistently moist soil during its growing season. It has a natural dormancy period, during which it will die back. Stop watering until new shoots appear.
- Toxicity: Can be toxic to pets if ingested.
7. Brain Cactus (Mammillaria elongata ‘Cristata’)
- Description: This cactus grows in a convoluted, crested shape that looks remarkably like a human brain. Though it may look otherworldly, it’s a relatively easy-care plant.
- Care: The Brain Cactus requires plenty of bright light and infrequent watering, similar to other cacti.
8. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Description: Its name alone conjures a spooky feeling. The long, spindly, arching leaves and dangling plantlets, or “spiderettes,” create a web-like, arachnoid appearance.
- Care: Spider plants are easy to care for, thriving in bright, indirect light. They prefer to dry out slightly between waterings.
9. Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides)
- Description: This air plant is not a moss but a bromeliad. its long, trailing stems create an effect reminiscent of cobwebs or ghosts.
- Care: As an air plant, it doesn’t need soil. It requires high humidity and can be misted with rainwater a couple of times a week.
10. Red Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura var. erythrophylla)
- Description: This striking plant has patterned leaves that are intricately decorated with brushstroke-like markings and have deep red undersides. Like the purple shamrock, its leaves fold up at night and open during the day.
- Care: Requires a warm, humid environment with bright, indirect light. Water with distilled or filtered water when the top inch of soil feels dry, but avoid overwatering.
11. Burgundy Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica ‘Burgundy’)
- Description: This plant features thick, glossy leaves that are a dark, rich burgundy red. Its deep, vibrant colour is a perfect fit for a gothic or Halloween-inspired interior.
- Care: Prefers a bright, sunny spot. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, as it is susceptible to root rot.
- Toxicity: The milky sap can be an irritant and is toxic to pets.
12. Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
- Description: This plant has vibrant red or pink spots and blotches on its leaves, which can look a little like blood spatter. It adds a shocking burst of colour to a Halloween display.
- Care: The polka dot plant enjoys a bright spot with indirect light. It likes consistently moist soil but needs good drainage.
13. Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis)
- Description: A classic “creepy” plant, its leaves are marked with striking red or pink veins. The intricate pattern gives it a veiny appearance.
- Care: Fittonias are a bit fussy and require consistent warmth, high humidity, and bright, indirect light. They will dramatically wilt if they don’t get enough water but perk up quickly when rehydrated.
Ian’s book At Home With Plants is being published again for the 3rd time on 28th October.