Although I am completely sold on the idea of indoor plants, my horticultural skills are still very much in the development phase!
Over the years, I have read countless blog posts and have followed a plethora of indoor plant-centric Instagram accounts but there is just so much to learn. I love photographing plants and I’m always curious to see how other people use them in and around their homes.
Having read Beth Kempton’s Wabi Sabi, I’ve become a little more intentional with incorporating nature and natural elements in my living spaces. Over time, I have unearthed many beautiful books that break down the process of living with plants for us folk that need all the help we can get!
Here are just a few of my favourite botany books from recent years.
Plant Style: How to greenify your space
Co-founders of botanical wares studio, Ivy Muse, Alana Langan and Jacqui Vidal teamed up to produce this book, focussing on the concept of ‘plant styling’ and creating visual impact by selecting the right plant for the right space. Including ideas and tips about caring for plants, Plant Style delves into the creative side of using plants indoors to create a particular look and feel. “There’s a special feeling you get when you walk into a room filled with thriving greenery, and it usually results in a smile.” I would describe it as botanical know-how meets interior styling and it’s been a handy little guide for selecting the right indoor plants for my spaces. Perfect for the novice plant styler!
Buy your copy of Plant Style here.
Plant Society: Create an indoor oasis for your urban space
The pages of Plant Society are imbued with author, Jason Chongue’s passion for plants. “Plants mean the world to me; there is something therapeutic and calming about their presence and they breathe life into every corner of my home.”
This Melbourne-based architect, interior designer and plant cultivator co-founded The Plant Society (self-described as the ‘plant social network’) with partner, Nathan Smith in 2016. A little glimpse of The Plant Society’s Instagram feed will provide you with a sense of what this unique offering in Collingwood is all about. Filled with plant care advice, information about tools and materials and styling suggestions, I have used this book like a reference guide, flicking back and forth between indexes and glossaries to bolster my indoor plant knowledge. My favourite part is the Plant Encyclopedia, an easy-to-follow reference source for plant newbies. I love that the plants in this guide are rated in terms of difficulty, allowing me to focus in on the Easy level!
Buy your copy of Plant Society here.
Loose Leaf
Loose Leaf showcases the work of botanical artists, Wona Bae and Charlie Lawler of Loose Leaf Studio in Melbourne. This duo’s awe-inspiring large-scale installations are breathtaking and through this book, they seek to share their processes and demonstrate how they create some of their botanical designs, bringing nature into their lives.
The book also includes some projects for readers to try. Learn more about Loose Leaf over at The Design Files.
Buy your copy of Loose Leaf here.
