There has been a resurgence of interest in indoor plants during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Thomson's Garden Centre horticulturalist Mary Ann Mein said the growing interest in indoor plants started about a year or two ago but it has increased dramatically more recently.
She said the demand for indoor plants increased when people started working from home.
"Possibly they are wanting to improve their home because they are working from home," Ms Mein said.
She said other people wanted to purchase indoor plants such a mother-in-law's tongue or peace lily to improve air quality.
"Mother-in-law's tongue when you can get them are always popular," Ms Mein said.
"Succulents are very popular. Natives are popular because in a drought they are very very hardy and we always supply ones that can handle our cold conditions."
Ms Mein said while some plants were selected because they did better in different lighting or watering conditions others had a meaning.
Among the plants with meanings she said were jade plants, which meant good fortune.
While some people are purchasing indoor plants for the first time to freshen up their home, Ms Mein said there were also collectors of indoor plants.
She said one of the plants people are collecting is monstera adansonii, also known as the Swiss cheese plant, due the the holes in its leaves.
"It's also outside. When we can get the seedlings they go fast," Ms Mein said.
"After this optimistic rain we've had, there's a lot of water in the ground and being Autumn it's a really good time to plant for spring.
"It's a great time for planting and people are replacing after losing things in the drought."
Ms Mein said vegetable and seedlings were also popular at the moment with families wanting to grow food and parents looking for activities to keep children occupied while staying home during the school holidays or while they are learning from home.
"Because they have been so popular we don't have much stock at the moment," she said.
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