Plants are very popular these days. As natural air purifiers, they improve indoor air quality and also add a special charm to your home décor. Some plants that had fallen out of fashion are now making a comeback. Want to make your home greener, but don’t have a green thumb and don’t know where to start? Don’t worry—we have some tips for you that we’ll share in the blog post below! Here are 7 affordable and low-maintenance plants to help you get started and create your own personal urban jungle.
Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa)
Even if you've never noticed it, you've surely seen this plant somewhere before. The Monstera deliciosa is native to South America and is a very popular plant found in many offices and waiting rooms. And for good reason: It’s easy to care for and can grow in both dark and bright rooms. For faster growth, however, it’s best to place it near a light source without direct sunlight.
The contours of the leaves give the plant a unique aesthetic appearance. The older the plant is, the larger and more perforated its leaves become. This allows the plant to protect itself from the wind—so the leaves don’t tear—and to let light through. You can easily find this plant year-round at any garden center. The price varies depending on the plant’s maturity, but it remains very affordable!
Mother-in-Law's Tongue (Sansevieria)
Sansevieria, which is native to Africa, belongs to the genus of succulent plants and is therefore a hardy plant, although it grows very slowly.
Of the nearly 70 varieties, the most common is Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii,' which can be recognized by its green leaves with yellow edges. It is easy to find in garden centers and sometimes even in supermarkets. Its stiff leaves grow vertically, and care must be taken not to snap off the tips, as this can stunt the plant's growth.
In addition, Sansevieria is an excellent choice for a bedroom plant because it produces oxygen at night and removes carbon dioxide from the room during the day, which will improve the quality of your sleep.
Chinese Money Tree (Pilea peperomioides)
There are many types of Pileas, but the most common is Pilea peperomioides, also known as the “Chinese money tree.” As the name suggests, it is native to China. Although it is less common than the previous two plants, it is still easy to find in stores.
This plant grows toward the sun and relatively quickly when placed near a light source. Therefore, you should rotate the plant from time to time. In optimal conditions, it can reach a height of 60 cm in a short time (but give it 2 to 3 years to do so). Even though this plant is a succulent, it needs to be watered regularly—but be careful not to overwater it.
Dreimasterblumen (Tradescantia)
The three-masted flower is a plant with a variety of benefits: It grows quickly and thrives in both sunny and low-light environments. In addition, it requires very little water.
Dreimasterblumen are climbing plants. They are therefore ideal for pots placed high up to allow space for the falling leaves. Of the approximately sixty species, however, the most common is Tradescantia zebrina.
In addition, the plant is easy to propagate. Simply cut off a stem, place it in water, and after a few days you should already see the first roots. Propagating Tradescantia can be useful, since the plant tends to become bare around the stem.
Feigenbaum (Ficus)
Of the Ficus species native to Asia, two varieties are particularly popular: Ficus elastica and Ficus benjamina, as well as, somewhat less commonly, Ficus lyrata.
Ficus elastica can be recognized by its dark green, stiff leaves. The plant grows upright and requires plenty of lime-free water.
The Ficus benjamina is a tree with many leaves and grows best in a bright spot. Under favorable conditions, the Ficus can reach a height of more than two meters. Be sure to find a suitable spot for the Ficus, and avoid moving it around too much, as changing environments do not agree with it very well.
Dragon Tree (Dracaena)
Another classic is the dracaena, which looks like a small palm tree with colorful leaves. The dracaena is a slow-growing, low-maintenance plant, much like the sansevieria or tradescantia. This low-maintenance plant will forgive you if you forget to water it once in a while, but it still needs water.
The dracaena prefers to be exposed to a light source for healthy growth and enjoys sunlight during the fall and winter months. To ensure the plant grows straight, it is advisable to rotate it regularly.
There are various types of Dracaena with leaves of different colors and lengths. Dracaena marginata is the easiest to find and can be recognized by its striped, multicolored leaves.
Arrowhead Plant (Calathea)
Finally, the Calathea is also ideal as an indoor plant. There are about a hundred different species of this plant, which is native to South America. Although it’s easy to find in garden centers, the different species vary greatly from one another.
The arrowhead plant ideally needs a bright spot without direct sunlight and with good humidity. In addition, this plant has the unique characteristic that its leaves close at dusk and reopen in the morning light.
Of all the plants featured in this blog post, this one is certainly not the easiest to care for, but every species is unique, and I’m sure some of you will fall in love with it.
We hope you find everything you're looking for to create your own urban jungle!
Alice von Kipli
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