10 Most Affordable Houseplants For People On A Budget

When I first started out indoor gardening, I wanted to spruce up my home with some beautiful houseplants but I just didn’t have the budget to get any of the fancy ones that you see everywhere now.

So if you are like I was and are wanting to spruce up your home with some cheap houseplants, then don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Too often the first thought that comes to mind when people are buying houseplants is the cost, there’s plenty available to cater for all budgets.

Here we’ve put together a list of our top 10 affordable plants so there’s minimal damage to your pockets.

We’ve not only factored in the price, but how much you will need to spend to maintain your green friend.

Aloe Vera – Beneficial For Skincare

Aloe Vera is a low maintenance and affordable option if you’re on a budget.

The awesome thing about this plant is that it’s easy to grow, as long as it gets some sunlight everyday it will be fine.

Even if you forget to water it for a while, that’s probably not going to be an issue as you only need to ensure it’s watered approximately once every 3 weeks.

The plants also widely regarded for it’s natural healing abilities from the juice within its leaves.

If you want to take advantage of the healing properties, simply break away one of the leaves and massage the inner gel onto your skin.

Check the latest price on this Aloe Vera Plant

Golden Pothos – Easy Care

Golden Pothos is one of the best for new plant parents, some people say it’s almost impossible to kill.

This plant has fantastic air purification properties, it was featured in the NASA Air purification study.

It can cope with some neglect, you only need to water it once the soil is dry to the touch.

A good indication of its health is the colour of the leaves, more golden tones will develop if it’s healthy. 

These sit well anywhere, as long as there’s sufficient light you can grow it in a hanging pot to allow the leaves to drop down or have it potted on a shelf, it’s purely down to your preference.

Check the latest price on this Golden Pothos

Braided Money Tree – Symbol of Luck and Prosperity

The Money Tree, a beautiful braided plant, if only money did grow on it!

If it’s an indoor tree you’re after then this is one of the cheapest you can get.

The funky braided trunk is what makes it a popular choice for plant lovers, but that’s not the only quirk.

In China, it’s a holy tree that’s supposed to bring people fortune and luck, along with being a symbol of affluence.

It’s quite a needy plant though, it will require a warm, moderately humid environment for it to truly thrive.

On the flip side you don’t have to water it too often, but ensure that you keep it in a bright area but out of direct sunlight.

Check the latest price on this Money Tree

Stromanthe – Multicolor Plant

If you’re looking for one to add a splash of color in your home then Stromanthe is the plant for you.

It really is a sight to behold, it almost looks as if someone has taken the time to paint the plant.

It’s a relative of the “Prayer Plant”, so through night you can witness it fold it’s leaves closed, as if praying.

They do best in shaded areas, making them an ideal indoor plant and they’re also pet friendly.

Maintaining the plant is relatively easy, keep the soil moist to the touch by watering it weekly, in between this you spray a fine mist of water over it to keep it moist.

Another bonus is that it’s a great air cleaner, often people opt to place them in their bedrooms or living rooms as a method of naturally filtering the air.

Check the latest price on this Tricolor Stromanthe

Alocasia Polly – Amazonian Elephant Ear

As you can tell from the picture, the Alocasia Polly is one that really catches the eye.

It’s also known as the Amazonian Elephant Ear thanks to its diamond leaf shape, but is often referred to as the African Mask.

These are tropical plants so they prefer warmer, more humid environments (hence why they’re ideal as a homeplant).

They do best in shaded areas, if they are exposed to direct sunlight then the leaves will begin to yellow and dry up.

When watering the plant, be careful not to get the leaves too wet and ensure you do not over water it, allow the soil to dry out overnight then give it a little each morning.

During the winter, you’ll need to extend the periods between watering, ideally you should be doing it every two days.

Check the latest price on this Alocasia Polly

Krauss’ Spikemoss – Cheap Bathroom Plant

A plant that will sit perfectly in your bathroom, this one just loves moist environments.

It comes from an ancient line that’s known as clubmosses.

This one requires a bit more attention that most as you need to ensure that the soil is always moist, this is usually covered by watering it twice daily.

Plus you must ensure that it’s kept in a humid, warm environment – It will survive well in bathrooms and kitchens.

You’ll need to trim it back every so often as they are avid growers, plus you can use the cuttings to grow more.

To grow more, simply root the cuttings in a new planter with moist soil and it will begin to grow over the coming months, as simple as that.

As it’s so easy to breed, it definitely makes it one of the best plant investments.

Check the latest price on this Krauss’ Spikemoss

Lady Palm – Slow Grower

The Lady Palm is elegant, with stalks that resemble bamboo, fitting well into any home.

One of the reasons this is so popular is the fact that it’s extremely low maintenance, it’s even more resistant to pests than many other houseplants.

Watering only needs to be done when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch.

To bolster this plants popularity even further, it’s actually one of the better performers on NASA’s clean air study.

It requires low sunlight so it really does thrive in the home.

You have full control over how big it gets, you will need to re pot it every two years for it to grow to the size you want.

Check the latest price on this Lady Palm

Ficus Ginseng Microcarpa – Hardy Bonsai Tree

Everyone loves a Bonsai Tree, but most people avoid them because they’re usually a bit of a pain to look after.

That’s definitely not the case with this hardy little fellow, it’s the perfect bonsai for those who are new to indoor gardening.

It needs to be kept in a warm area, where the temperature doesn’t fluctuate too much and plenty of sunlight – most window sills will suffice.

As for watering, you just need to water it in a typical fashion, when the surface of the soil is dry.

One downside to Bonsai plants is that they do require a lot of pruning to maintain the elegant shape.

To keep it looking great you’ll need to trim back a few leaves, it’s recommended that you cut away 2 for every 5-7 that grow.

Also, to keep the tree slim, you’ll need to cut away some of the trunk away occasionally unless you’re wanting it to grow much thicker.

Check the latest price on this Bonsai Tree

Janet Craig – Thrives on Neglect

One of the best for beginners, this Janet Craig plant literally thrives on neglect, probably why it’s often found in office spaces.

It’s part of a family known as “Dracaena” and there’s many similar varieties.

This type specifically grows well in low light and with minimal water – I told you it thrives on neglect!

I did say minimal water, not no water so try to remember to water it once per week to be on the safe side.

You can keep it anywhere in your home but bear in mind that it has the potential to grow to around 6-7 feet if it’s looked after well.

This one is another high performing plant on NASA’s clean air study.

Check the latest price on this Janet Craig Plant

English Ivy – Wall Crawler

If you’re after something that has the potential to crawl up your wall, then this is the one.

Don’t expect it to instantly attach itself though, it takes quite a while, years sometimes before it will begin attaching itself to the surrounding environment.

They’re great for hiding patches in your home that you don’t like, have a stain on your ceiling? No problem.

Again, these are another that’s so easy to care for, give it a splash of water when the surface soil feels dry.

It does enjoy bright light, but not direct sunlight so ensure that the room is well lit before moving the Ivy in.

To achieve the best results with this, it enjoys a humid environment so spray a fine mist of water over it occasionally to keep it happy.

Check the latest price on this English Ivy