Alan Titchmarsh’s top 7 houseplants including 1 that’s ‘impossible to kill’

Alan Titchmarsh’s top 7 houseplants including 1 that’s ‘impossible to kill’ (Image: Getty)

Alan Titchmarsh has shared a plethora of houseplant tips and tricks over the years. But the gardening expert has just started sharing more tips and tricks on his new YouTube channel, where he shared his top seven favourite houseplants.

Houseplants can be a wonderful addition to any home, and here one of the nation’s favourite gardeners has picked out a list with something to suit everyone. Alan said: “I’ve always loved houseplants in the home. They look good, they lift your spirits, and they cleanse the air, what’s not to like? Here are seven of my particular favourites.”

Read more: ‘I’m a plant expert – here’s 3 houseplants for every room in the home’

Read more: Peace lily expert shares methods to ensure ‘longer blooms’ in spring

Zebrina pendula

The gardening expert said this trailing plant is native to Mexico and Central America, and works best in a hanging pot or hanging off the side of a shelf.

Alan recommended letting the houseplant receive plenty of light to produce its lovely leaf stripes.

Madagascar dragon tree

Alan said: “Dracina is its Latin name, a native of Madagascar. You’ll notice this has lovely fountains of foliage at the top, with a glorious stripe and a pink edge.

“When it starts to get too tall, bite the bullet and cut it back. It will look ugly for a while, but very soon, little bobbles of sprouting shoots will appear, and they will turn into these extra heads of foliage.”

It enjoys atmospheric moisture along with a tray filled with gravel to keep the humidity high.

Snake plant

The gardening expert said a snake plant, also known as sansevieria trifasciata, is almost “impossible to kill” and ideal for beginners.

He added: “Wait until the compost is really quite dry before you give it a soak, then don’t go back until it’s dry again.” Snake plants love really good light, but will cope with lower light conditions.

Kentia palm

According to Alan, this palm was extremely popular amongst the Victorians, who called it the parlour palm.

It’s tolerant of low light, making it ideal for dark rooms. It only needs watering when it’s feeling dry, and make sure to dust the leaves.

Peace lilies are Alan Titchmarsh’s favourite houseplant (Image: Getty)Fiddleleaf fig

This houseplant is incredibly challenging to care for, and Alan advised beginners to avoid it.

It’s extremely impressive, with large leaves, but it doesn’t like sudden changes in temperature or light, so it’s important to keep this one settled if possible.

Calathea

There are lots of calatheas, most with stunningly marked leaves.

Alan said: “It’s a tricky plant. It likes it warm, it’s happy in indirect light, so it’s a good houseplant for a centrally heated home.”

Peace lily

The common peace lily is Alan’s most favourite houseplant, as well as the rest of the UK’s.

The gardening expert explained: “You’ll find it [peace lily] in corners of living rooms, of kitchens, of bathrooms, with varying degrees of success in terms of getting it to flower well.

“When it is happy, you get these lovely white sails in the centre, the spadix, not to be confused with spandex, something quite different.

“It copes with relatively erratic watering, providing you don’t overdo it…it’s a really good all-rounder.” If owners follow all the correct care tips, peace lilies “shouldn’t let you down”.