Who doesn’t love an indoor garden? Whether you’re a green-fingered genie or just trying to keep your cacti alive - houseplants are an easy way to open up a space (and sometimes add a lovely scent too!) If you’ve been drawn into the world of greenery and indoor plants, you’ll know it can cost a pretty penny to have a home with gorgeous plants. You’ll fork some cash to replicate some of those insta-worthy plant walls or plants with the huge leaves that’ll leave your home feeling like the Amazon rainforest
The plant market can be intense, with multiple Facebook groups dedicated to rare and hard-to-find plants for the discerning collector. If you follow tags like #plantsofInstagram or #plantcommunity or are a regular PlantTok lover on your For You page, you’ll know how pricey it can get. However, it can be a nice way to meet like minded people, make some new friends and get to know your local plant nursery while supporting small business.
But no matter the price, there is nothing better than seeing a plant thrive under your care. Here’s a list of plants that’ll blow the budget (and are recommended for expert plant lovers)
Variegated Monstera
Known for it’s sprinkling of white and green leaves, the Variegated Monstera (aka the ‘Swiss Cheese Plant’) is a fave on Instagram. The vibrant plant can have solid white leaves, or green ones with a sprinkling of white - either way it’s a beautiful to any home and on the international markets it can run from $700 to $2 000, while locally you could pay R3 500 and upwards.
Japanese White Pine or Old Pine Bonsai
You simply can’t have an expensive plant list without mentioning a bonsai. These meticulously groomed plants require a high skill level to maintain and are a life-long hobby for some gardeners. The Japanese White Pine or Pinus Parviflora, is imported from Japan and can run up over R16 000.
Pink Princess Philodendron
Back at it again, the variegated plants are still a hot ticket with gardening enthusiasts. Philodendrons are popular for their large leaves and their ability to thrive indoors through all seasons. The Pink Princess Philodendron is beloved for it’s rare grouping of colours and splashes of pink.
Hoya Carnosa 'Compacta'
Another plant known for its beautiful flowers, the Hoya Carnosa is a fave with plant lovers. It can take a long time to propagate and is slow to root, which adds to the price. The plant also has variegated forms and needs specific conditions to thrive.
Shenzhen Nongke Orchid
A rarity in the plant world, the Shenzhen Nongke Orchid is the result of eight years of hard word. The plant was created entirely by a group of researchers and only blooms every 5 years. The price? $202 000 for the plant in 2005.
