How to choose affordable alternatives to trendy houseplants? These 3 pairs are best for lazy care
Lately, when you scroll through Xiaohongshu or Douyin, are you always tempted by all kinds of trendy houseplants? Things like "Instagram-style living room must-have areca palm," "all the trendy bloggers are growing fiddle-leaf figs," "the mood-boosting bird of paradise." Seeing those glossy leaves in the photos, arranged at home in such a classy and soothing way, you can't help but want to place an order? Don't rush to pull out your money just yet! Quite a few trendy houseplants are "catfish kings," and in real life growing them can drive you crazy. Today I'll expose these 3 overhyped trendy varieties, then hand you the truly easy-to-grow "alternative picks" - beginners can buy them with their eyes closed and still not step on a landmine!
Areca palm: degrees the leaves turn yellow, if the air humidity isn't enough the leaf tips all dry up, and apart from daily misting and wiping the leaves, a little sun scorches the leaves while too little light makes it leggy. A friend of mine bought one 1.5 meters tall a while ago, grew it for two months, half the leaves turned yellow, and in the end it could only be used as firewood.
Want a tropical feel without the hassle? Just choose the dwarf umbrella tree! This thing is practically the "cockroach" of the plant world, with palmate leaves that grow neat and perky, looking great in the living room or study. The key is it isn't picky about its environment, a bit of sun in summer is fine, in winter above 53 years, from half a meter to almost two meters, and it has never caused any trouble; when I clean I just casually wipe the leaves and they still shine.
Fiddle-leaf fig:The fiddle-leaf fig, hyped as the "top star of trendy houseplants." Xiaohongshu is full of its beautiful photos, with big leaves like violins, placed beside the sofa it looks especially classy. But once you actually grow it you'll know, it's a "yellow-leaf specialist"! Too much water and the roots rot, too little water and the leaves curl, poor ventilation and it gets spots, even fertilizing must be done carefully, a little too strong and the roots burn. A colleague bought three fiddle-leaf figs, every one died of "yellow-leaf disease," and in the end gave up completely, saying never again touching this "ancestor."
If you want the classy look of big leaves, you might as well switch to the rubber plant! This thing is very tough, with thick glossy leaves that feel like leather, and whether it's the black prince or the variegated variety, its looks are no worse than the fiddle-leaf fig. And it's super low-maintenance, place it in a good light spot and water once every half month, in winter as long as it isn't frozen it basically needs no care. The neighbor's rubber plant has been growing for 5 years, grown taller than a person, its leaves always lush green, and it has never had any problems; beginners can't go wrong choosing it.
Bird of paradise:The "mood-boosting miracle worker" bird of paradise. Online they say it can grow to two meters tall, with leaves like a crane spreading its wings, instantly elevating the style of a living room. But the reality is, a bird of paradise grown in an ordinary home, forget about flowering, you'd be doing well just to keep the leaves from turning yellow! It especially fears stuffiness, a little poor ventilation and the roots rot, the leaves are also prone to pests, and it grows extremely slowly; however tall it was when you bought it, half a year later it may still be that tall, you've spent the money with no result, and it's more than a little frustrating.
Want a large houseplant but afraid of the hassle? The monstera is the GOAT! Its leaves have natural splits and a built-in vintage feel, and whether it's a small pot or a large plant, it looks great at home. And it's super easy to grow, tolerant of shade and drought, placed in a living room corner it doesn't need much sun, watering once a month is enough, and if the leaves get dirty just wipe them and it still looks perky. My monstera has been growing for two years, from a seedling to one meter eighty, and its leaves get more and more beautifully split; when friends come over they all ask where I bought it, and they can't tell at all that it's "grown by a lazy person."
