A Powerful Passion For Plants

Surrounding herself with calming houseplants ensures this green-thumbed apartment-dweller is all smiles

- Angela Young

With a collection at last count of more than 150 plants, plus plenty of “babies” currently propagating in water, Rachel Smiles’ Sydney apartment is jungle-esque in its aesthetic, appropriately so for someone who goes by the Instagram handle @LushLittleJungle.

For Rachel, it’s the “instant calming” effect of being surrounded by plants in the home that provides the incentive. “I also feel like they so easily transform a place from a bare and boring space to a unique, beautiful home,” she explains. “I remember when we moved house recently-ish, and as soon as our plants were placed in the apartment, it instantly looked like home even with all the packing boxes. I also love that there’s something new to discover each day, be it a bloom, new growth, or a fresh leaf.”

Having no garden is no problem for Rachel and her partner, who not only fill their rooms with flora, but whatever outside space is available, too.

“My current apartment has an amazing enclosed loggia-style balcony with a westerly outlook,” she says. “It maintains humidity really nicely, too, so it’s ideal for my tropical collection. Plus, the beautiful (mostly indirect) bright light keeps the sun-lovers like my