Indoor plant popularity boom: use these savings seeds to cut costs
Indoor plants have become big business as consumers add extra greenery and life to their homes, but you don’t have to spend a fortune. Here’s how.
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An indoor plant craze is building momentum as plant enthusiasts fork out big bucks to make their homes the jungle envy of the street.
Almost 28 million photos are on Instagram with the hashtag “plants”, and the latest Nursery & Garden Industry Australia data shows nearly two billion plants were sold in Australia in 2017-2018.
It can be costly keeping up green appearances so here’s how to score the best value.
Plant lover Ana Menzel, 30, said a nursery wasn’t always the place to buy plants.
“I check out local op shops and garage sales,” she said.
“There can be amazing varieties there for ridiculously cheap prices. If I do shop in a nursery I check out the clearance section.
“I currently have 52 indoor plants; six months ago I had over 80 but moved some outside”.
Ms Menzel said people could get free plants by propagating ones they already had. “The most
I’ve spent is $50 on a Pilea – it had multiple babies I could propagate so I was technically saving,” she said.
“Clip branches, put them in a jar by a window and weeks later they’ll have roots to plant.”
Pop-up sales can also help you save.
The Jungle Collective, a group that hosts weekend plant sale events attracting thousands of people, sources plants direct from growers, and uses scale to provide discounts.
“This results in savings which are passed onto customers,” said co-founder Josh O’Meara.
“Our pop-up format minimises overheads,” he said.
“Our rare plants tend to be considerably cheaper than online markets like eBay or Facebook. If a bargain’s your priority over rare species, coming late Sunday is where you’ll get a steal as stock’s further discounted.”
Bunnings Horticulturalist Mill Wallasvaara said shoppers should purchase plants that provided a 12-month warranty in line with plant quality standards.
“If for any reason customers are not happy with their purchase within 12 months they can return their plant along with proof of purchase to be provided a refund,” she said.
Crazy Indoor Plant People Australia, a Facebook group with more than 66,000 members, allows people to swap plants, gain advice and discover discounts.
C.I.P.P.A founder Kristy Robertshaw said to ensure plant longevity people should consider their lifestyle first.
“Consider whether you travel often – you may need something with lower care,” she said.
HELP PLANTS GROW THE EXTRA MILE
• Bang for buck plants: Devil’s Ivy is extremely hardy, and Bungalow Palms are fast growing.
• Indoor plants require less water and a moisture metre is a great investment. It tells you when plants need watering.
• Propagate: Trim plants by putting nodes of stems into water.
• Research: Talk to your nursery about your needs and house spaces.
• Buy at markets, garage sales, Gumtree or buy, swap and sell pages.
Source: Crazy Indoor Plant People Australia
Originally published as Indoor plant popularity boom: use these savings seeds to cut costs