From ornamental foliage to culinary herbs and leafy salads, selecting the appropriate species is crucial for successful indoor gardening.
Begin with the Basics
The key to maintaining healthy indoor plants is to choose those that are well-suited to your living environment. “The easiest way to squander money is by purchasing plants that don’t match your home’s conditions. They will either struggle or perish,” explains Ellen Mary Webster, a professional horticulturist.
“For areas that receive a lot of sunlight, consider crassula or strelitzia,” recommends Webster. These plants flourish under bright, but indirect light. A crassula is perfect for a south-facing windowsill, while a strelitzia can become a striking addition to your living room as it grows taller.
For dimmer spaces, a ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is an excellent choice due to its robust and low-maintenance nature, thriving in various corners of your abode.
Another easy-to-care-for plant is the Epipremnum aureum, commonly known as devil’s ivy. This plant is resilient, grows rapidly, and remains vibrant even in low-light conditions. “It’s simple to propagate and requires minimal upkeep,” says Julz Morris, a prominent plant influencer known as Plantzbab on social media.
Participate in a Plant Exchange
If you’re looking to diversify your collection of houseplants without spending much, consider attending a plant swap. These community gatherings allow participants to exchange healthy plants or cuttings, returning home with new varieties.
Lisa, the organizer of an event called Another Plant Swap, has transformed her enthusiasm for houseplants into a thriving national community. What started with 30 participants in London in 2022 has expanded to regular events throughout the UK. “It’s a welcoming event where people exchange cultivation tips, swap plants, and connect with other enthusiasts,” she notes.
Admission to these swaps often comes at no cost or for a nominal fee, sometimes including perks like goodie bags, raffle tickets, or even a beverage. Finding local plant swap groups is easy on platforms like Facebook, with groups such as Hackney and East London Plant Swap or South Manchester Garden Plant Swap.
If you can’t find an event near you, why not organize your own with friends? Charitable organizations like Oxfam provide free resources to assist, including digital promotion tools, gardening advice, and downloadable posters.
Cultivate Edible Plants
There’s a unique satisfaction in consuming what you’ve personally grown, even if it’s from a small indoor garden. To mimic their natural outdoor conditions indoors, avoid places with drafts or close to heating sources, suggests Webster.
Kim Stoddart, editor of Amateur Gardening magazine and author of The Climate Change-Resilient Vegetable Garden, suggests growing loose-leaf salads like ‘salad bowl’ lettuce and rocket, as well as brassicas such as perpetual spinach and flat-leaf kale. These are particularly suitable for winter gardening on a windowsill due to their low maintenance.
You can also try regrowing vegetables like store-bought celery and spring onions. If you own a garden, consider bringing some outdoor plants inside for the winter. “Root some mint in water,” advises Stoddart. “Bush chilli plants can also be pruned back and kept indoors as attractive houseplants during the colder months.”
To keep costs low, check if your area has local seed banks, such as the London Freedom Seed Bank or North Tyneside Seed Swap. Even seeds that are odd or slightly out-of-date can still sprout successfully indoors.
Segment and Conquer
Supermarket herbs offer an economical way to add both greenery and flavor to your kitchen—a pot of basil might cost around £1.50, significantly less than garden center prices of £5 to £10. However, these herbs are often not designed to last.
“Supermarket herbs are densely sown within a single small pot. They appear lush, but they’re actually overcrowded, which hampers their longevity,” explains Webster.
For better results, she advises dividing the plants into several pots immediately after purchase to give each one sufficient room to grow.
If you prefer a less labor-intensive option, opt for herbs from nurseries. These are generally better nurtured and more likely to thrive after you bring them home.
Propagate Through Cuttings
Propagating your own plants from cuttings is a straightforward and affordable method to expand your plant collection. “Don’t hesitate—take that cutting, it’s free!” encourages Webster. “Many houseplants root well in water, though some may prefer soil division, so it’s best to double-check first.”
Plants like monstera and pothos are particularly amenable to propagation from cuttings. Just clip below a node—the point on the stem where leaves are attached—and place the cutting in clean water. “The roots grow quickly, and in a transparent vase, they look stunning as they develop, serving as a beautiful centerpiece,” Webster notes. Once the roots are well-established, transplant them into well-draining soil.
To propagate devil’s ivy, snip above the node, place the cutting in water, and once the roots reach a few inches, transfer it into a coarse houseplant mix containing bark, perlite, and charcoal. This mixture enhances drainage and helps prevent root rot.
Healthy specimens of aloe vera, spider plant, or money plant will produce “babies” that can be potted once they develop roots, while plants like calatheas and snake plants can be divided and repotted.
When taking cuttings, patience is key. “Let the cut end dry before placing the cutting in soil or water. This reduces the risk of the cutting rotting before it can develop roots,” advises Morris.
Purchase Sustainably
Before you head to a garden center, explore your local community of plant sellers. Independent nurseries, weekend markets, and pop-up events often offer affordably priced, ethically sourced plants, cuttings, and accessories. Car boot sales, Facebook groups, and local plant fairs also provide excellent opportunities to acquire unique plants at a lower cost.
Green Rooms Market, led by plant specialists Sarah Gerrard-Jones and Ian Morrison, brings together small businesses and plant enthusiasts in cities like Bristol, London, and Margate. “It’s a social occasion featuring talks, traders, live demonstrations on repotting, and an expert corner for plant care advice,” says Gerrard-Jones.
Such events are wonderful for supporting independent vendors and discovering rare plant varieties not typically found in supermarkets or chain stores.
Choose Appropriate Soil
The foundation of healthy plants is quality soil. “You can create your own potting mix using soil specifically labeled for houseplants,” advises Joe Bagley, also known as the Houseplant Doctor. A 10-liter bag typically costs between £5 and £10 at most supermarkets or garden centers.
For tropical plants, Bagley recommends adding bark and perlite. For cacti and succulents, mix in some perlite and grit. Perlite is generally available for about £1 per liter (approximately £10.99 per bag) at most garden centers.
For those with smaller collections, pre-mixed soils from a garden center might be more economical. Avoid using outdoor or multi-purpose compost as it may introduce unwanted pests like flies, mushrooms, and weeds into your indoor garden, warns Bagley.
Economize on Planters
Plants are often sold in nursery pots, which are intended for temporary use and can break easily. However, decorative pots don’t have to be expensive. Charity shops, car boot sales, and online platforms like eBay are treasure troves for budget-friendly options. With a little creativity, you can repurpose various items into planters.
“I own a few nice pots, but most of mine are from charity shops,” shares Morris. “I also like to reuse items like empty hair dye containers and candle jars.”
Stoddart is fond of what she calls a “jug garden,” having planted edibles in everything from old boots and watering cans to small trash bins and bowls. “You could use an old vegetable tray for microgreens or repurpose other household items,” she suggests.
It’s important to choose pots with drainage holes and place them on saucers—you can find multipacks for less than £5 at stores like Wilko or B&Q. Alternatively, use old plates or plastic containers as bases.
Avoid repotting into containers that are significantly larger than the plant’s current pot. Excess soil can retain too much water, leading to root rot, which is evident from symptoms like wilting, yellowing leaves, or black, mushy roots.
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