A destination for the plant-obsessed, Babylon Store is nestled in the side village of St Heliers in Auckland, filled with thriving potted plants, exquisitely crafted ceramics and advice on all things green. Editor Trudi Brewer went directly to the experts for the best houseplant hacks. Read on to learn more.
Image BeautyEQ with Babylon Store co-owner Kirsty Heron and editor Trudi Brewer
When co-founder and customer manager Kirsty Heron joined the Babylon Gardens family back in 2021, her lofty goal was to create a plant haven where people could indulge in their green-fingered hobby. Fast forward to today, and it is a thriving reality. She and her business partner, co-founder and creative director of Babylon Gardens, Sandii McDonald, are delighted at the brand's success. Booming during the COVID era (when many of us became plant-obsessed), the store continues to grow. Filled with lush houseplants and carefully curated Italian and Belgian pots, as well as pieces by New Zealand ceramicists Tony Swanson and Vanessa Ceelen, it’s a treasure trove for plant enthusiasts.
It’s also a place where you can get solid advice, learn the craft of building your own terrarium or discover how to create Japanese Kokedama through public workshops. Or, if you are embarking on adding greenery to your home, the team at Babylon offer potted plant installations, a service that sits somewhere between landscape and interior design. Thier goal is to help you create beautiful green spaces that connect people with nature. Here, Heron shares her houseplant advice with editor Trudi Brewer.
Babylon Store, Terrarium and Japanese Kokedama.
What are the best low-maintenance houseplants?
First, it’s important to ensure you're choosing a plant suited to the environment you’re placing it in, taking into account the light in the room. If you’re looking for resilient, drought-tolerant plants, then something like a ZZ (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia) or Sansevieria (Mother-in-Law's Tongue) is a good option. If you’ve got a sunnier spot, then cactus, succulents and Peperomia are our favourites. For something lush but easy to care for, Philodendron and Monstera are popular choices.
Social media has influenced our passion for houseplants. But we do see magnificent olive trees inside rooms. Is that real or AI?
Some of it is real, some of it isn’t. Some plants have been placed in a room for the shoot, and others' images have been manipulated. We are big fans of The Plant Daddies; they have the most amazing plants, but they are based in California and showcase incredible dessert plants. We have people coming in and asking for them, and we don’t because they won’t grow here. For instance, don’t try to grow olive trees inside, unless you have a north or west-facing window, and it’s getting full-day sun, or they won’t survive. They are Mediterranean plants and like to be outside; they are not suited to humid Auckland weather and low-light lounge rooms.
Why do houseplant leaf tips turn brown?
There are several reasons for this. Quite often, it’s due to low humidity in tropical plants like Calathea and Peace Lilies. But there are a few ways to combat this, including Misting occasionally and placing the plant in a humid spot, such as a bathroom. Using a pebble tray, fill a shallow, water-tight tray with small rocks and water under the plant, below the pot's base, to allow evaporation and prevent root rot. Also, grouping plants to create their own little microclimate. Finally, some plants can be sensitive to fluoride, so use filtered water or rainwater when you can.
How do you know when to water your house plants?
The most important thing with watering is consistency. We recommend checking your plants once a week in summer and every fortnight in winter. A helpful hack is the finger test. Put your little finger all the way into the soil down the side of your pot. If it's completely dry, you can go ahead and water; if your finger is damp, the plant has enough water. Check that your plants aren’t sitting in water in their cover pot, as overwatering can be a bigger issue than underwatering.
Some of the exotic plants at Babylon Store
Alocasia Regal Shield, from $105. Philodendron Eximium, $65. Monstera Thai Constellation, from $100. Zamioculcas zamiifolia - Raven ZZ, from $50.
Should you put your house plants in the rain?
Absolutely, make sure you don’t forget about them, or they’ll burn if they're in direct sunlight. Plants breathe through their leaves, so keeping them dust-free is important.
Do you stake your Phalaenopsis orchid flowers so they stand tall, or let them bloom naturally?
We prefer a more relaxed cascading style, but if your orchid flower needs support or you want a more structured look, staking is the way to go.
How do you check for bugs, and what is the best way to treat them?
If a plant becomes stressed by inconsistent watering, it becomes more susceptible to pests. The most common are the little white, fluffy mealybug and the hard-shelled scale. They like to hide out under the leaves, so always check there. The key is to remove the bug first and then treat it. To remove it, wipe it off with a cloth, baby wipe, or, if it is a cactus, use cotton buds. Even better if you can add hand sanitiser to the recess as the alcohol helps kill them. Then you need to treat it by spraying with something like organic Natures Way and Neem Oil. You can also use soapy water, as the soap bubbles suffocate them.
When do you repot?
If the roots are starting to come through the bottom of the nursery pot, then it’s time to go up a size. If a plant is rootbound, it means that it can’t absorb any water or nutrients from the soil, as it will just wash through. Don't make the mistake of going too big with the new pot, though, as the small root system cannot absorb water from the vast amount of soil quickly enough.
Some of the pots at Babylon Store
Iris Pedestal, from $32 Bergs Pantheon, from $45. Marbella Bowl, from $120. Grace kokedama stand, $42.
What plants are safe for our fur babies?
There's a plant care Blog on our website where you can find lots of information, but some great options include orchids, Hoya, Calathea, and Bird's Ferns. However, if your pet, like our resident shop dog Maddie, shows no interest in your plants, then you needn't. Your pet needs to ingest the plant to become sick, but the ones that can cause harm are Peace Lilies and Philodendrons.
What is your favourite plant?
It would be hard to go past the Alocasia Regal Shield; she's a stunner!
What would people find at Babylon that they will not get anywhere else?
There are lots of things that set us apart. We have the widest selection of indoor and outdoor pots in New Zealand, from international brands to local artists.
We run regular workshops to teach you how to make our signature kokedama, terrariums, succulent bowls, and even silver ring casting. We offer potted plant site visits and design plans. The knowledge to help you choose the best-suited, most interesting plants for your space and pots to enhance your design aesthetic, whether it’s for your home or work. The best news: we come to you, establish what you want to achieve and put together a plan and quote. We can then install it all for you and teach you how to care for your new plants.
Learn expert plant care here.