For the last two years I have been living in a semi-converted warehouse in Sydney.

It’s a big fun space, but has no backyard or balcony. I have been dreaming since moving in that our landlord will put a rooftop terrace above our kitchen where we could grow all sorts of herbs, tomatoes and passionfruit, but I think it will remain just that, a dream.

In the meantime I have been steadily building my indoor plant collection. I definitely have a tendency to go a little overboard at the nurseries.

It’s interesting to see what thrives and what doesn’t. Kentia palms are one of my favourites. All my Kentia palms are from trips to Lord Howe Island where they are native and only allowed to leave the island under strict conditions. They are very hardy, but do have a tendency to get some sort of scale disease if they aren’t taken care of properly. I also have a lot of peace lilies which remain happy even in low light areas of the warehouse. They need very little attention, my problem is usually giving them too much fertiliser which makes the tips of their leaves brown. Succulents also work well, but ferns not so much. I think it gets too dry and hot or cold under the tin roof for them to thrive.

I also have a desk set up under one of the windows where I can get my hands dirty potting pants with my stash of sand, soil and other tools.