Page 28 - I-Plants Magazine May 2021 Issue #5 v2

Howea Forsteriana “Kentia Palm” named

Favourite Office Plant of the Year!

This year’s Favourite Office Plant of the Year was decided by a panel of well known
horticulturists and industry personnel. Unfortunately because of lockdown they
couldn’t meet up to discuss the plants but all submitted their choices via email.
Top choice
Howea forsteriana aka the Kentia, a well known and easy to maintain palm gained the
most votes from our panel of judges in the know, as the top houseplant for the office.
Its ease of care and its interesting, even exotic past - it was originally only found grow-
ing on Lord Howe Island off the coast of Australia, where they still hold control of seed
distribution for this palm - has made it an all time UK favourite.
Judge Greg Redwood, Head of Head of Glasshouses, Nurseries & Display Horticul-
ture & Senior RHS Judge commented, “A classic and deservedly still popular after
many years. It thrives in bright conditions and its architectural form gives height and
interest whilst still allowing light and views through, due to a relatively open habit for a
large plant.”

A monster of a choice (Left)
Coming in second place is the Monkey Mask aka Monstera Adansonii, a small-
er relative of the more famous Monstera deliciosa, the Swiss Cheese Plant
was voted into second place.

Gaining favourable comments from the judges: “These are (one of the best)
selling (houseplants) at retail,” observed by judge Matthew Appleby, Editor of
Horticulture Week.

“A lovely plant to add to any desk from an aesthetic point of view, this plant
will offer joy to any work top or bookshelf and the round shapes will offer an
interesting dimension to linear shapes associated with office spaces,” was
judge Chanel de Kock of Flower Council of Holland’s comment.
Joint third place
Third place saw a joint win for the Epiphyllum Anguliger aka Fishbone cactus and Sansevieria cylindrica.
Judge & podcaster Jane Perrone commented on the Fishbone cactus: “This plant looks amazing, needs minimal care (mine does well in a self watering pot) and
looks good anywhere.”
Greg Redwood agreed, “(The Fishbone’s) unusual appearance and quirky leaf shape have made this a very popular plant in modern interiors over recent years. The
plant is tolerant of infrequent watering (in fact it much prefers to dry out between waterings) so can be safely left unwatered whilst people are away …”
Judge Joe Zazzera owner of Plant Solution Arizona and on the Board of Directors of Green Plants for Green Buildings commented on Sansevieria cylyndrica, “I
really like the cylindrica for its high design, architectural look.”
“This is a very modern looking plant that can be used extensively in the interior,” commented Judge Elliott Bennett, the new editor of iPlants Magazine. “They do not
require very much maintenance. The Cylindrica is a cool easy to care for option.”
The judging line up
Completing the line up of judges were Claudia de Yong, Garden Designer, Lisa Wilkinson and the team from Pro Landscaper, Michael Perry aka Mr Plant Geek and
Rona Wheeldon of Flowerona.
We’d like to thank all of the judges for helping to find this year’s top houseplants for the office from a short list of nine including (in no particular order): Pilea Pepero-
mioides (Chinese money plant), Alocasia Zebrina, Ficus Lyrata, Spathiphyllum aka Peace Lily, Asplenium Antiquum aka Birds Nest Fern.
Visit our virtual Exam Room Installation at the Chelsea Fringe this week and learn more about all of these plants in individual daily videos showing on our YouTube
channel after 11.00 a.m. each day.
Join us on social media every day this week to ask questions about these and other houseplants and their amazing unseen benefits for the office using the hashtags
#plantsatworkweek and #ChelseaFringe.

28 Making The New Normal Better!