Plant Delivery Sydney: Indoor plants that make any room (or desk) better

The range changes all the time. We pick plants through the seasons from local Sydney growers and nurseries, so what's here this week might be different next month.

A plant makes a good gift when flowers don't quite fit. Think a new home, a new job, a thank-you for a colleague, or a friend who'd rather have something green on the shelf than a vase to manage. It also suits people who travel a lot, since plenty of indoor plants are happy to be left alone for a few days.

Want to make it more of a gift? Add a planter pot, a card, or a treat from our food and drink range. Prefer flowering plants for gifting? Our potted orchids, like the White Potted Orchid Plant (from $77), are another low-fuss option.

Choosing indoor plants for Sydney homes and offices

Start with the light, not the look. It's the thing that matters most, and the thing most people skip.

Stand where the plant will live and look at the window. A spot that's bright but out of direct sun suits most indoor plants. A dim hallway or a desk far from a window narrows your options, so tell us about the space in the order notes and we'll steer you towards something that'll cope.

A few other things to think about:

• Shelves and high spots suit trailing plants that can hang down.
• Empty floor corners suit a larger, leafy statement plant.
• Desks suit something small and compact that won't take over the keyboard.
• Offices often have air-con running all day, which dries the air. Choose something hardy and check the soil more often.

Buying for someone else? Think about their home, not yours. An apartment with one bright window is a very different place to a house with a sunroom.

And if there are cats or dogs at home, ask us before you order. Some common indoor plants aren't suitable around pets.

Simple care for a new indoor plant

Good plant care is mostly about not overdoing it.

Watering. Push a finger into the soil. If the top couple of centimetres feel dry, water it. If it's still damp, leave it. Overwatering causes more trouble than forgetting, so when in doubt, wait a day.

Drainage. Don't let a plant sit in a saucer of water. Tip out any extra after watering.

Light. Bright, indirect light suits most indoor plants. Keep them away from hot afternoon sun through glass, which can scorch leaves.

Heating and cooling. Keep plants away from heaters and air-con vents, which dry them out quickly.

Leaves. Give them a gentle wipe with a damp cloth every now and then. Dust blocks light.

Settling in. A plant can take a little while to adjust to a new home. A dropped leaf or two in the first few weeks is normal, so try not to move it around too much while it settles.

Not sure about your plant? Send us a message with a photo and we're happy to help.