The 4 houseplants that have survived my renting journey – they've been tried, tested and often neglected!
They need to be resilient to handle a nomadic lifestyle
Home decorator Ammarah Hasham is one of Ideal Home's new Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts infusing her rental house with plenty of personality. See the rest of her articles here.
Two very exciting events happened recently.
One, I learned how to upholster a stool at a workshop hosted by Google, using Gemini for guidance.
Two, my fiddle leaf fig grew a new leaf. Naturally, both of them felt like significant achievements.
In hindsight, I’m not entirely sure what possessed me to buy a fiddle leaf fig in the first place. I must’ve been feeling particularly adventurous during my trip to the flower shop. A few weeks later our relationship became rather complicated.One minute it would appear content. Then soon after, a leaf would start turning brown.
To this day, I'm not entirely convinced what the issue was. Too much water? Too little? Perhaps it simply wasn't thrilled about a change of scenery. Now, if you‘ve spent any time reading plant advice online, you’ve probably come across the same rule over and over again:
“Don’t move your plants unnecessarily.”
“Let them settle”
Apparently, much like pets, plants also have their favourite spots. And pots. In theory, it is all well and good, but renters face a different challenge. Much of the conventional wisdom surrounding houseplants assumes a degree of permanence that many renters simply don’t have.
Our plants need to be resilient. They need to adapt from one windowsill to the next. They often need to relocate from north facing windows to south facing ones and back again. In many ways, our plants end up living a rather nomadic lifestyle alongside us.
But thankfully, there are a few plants that seem far more understanding of this arrangement than others. I know there are many plants that can be included in this list, but I am going to share the ones I have tried, tested and often neglected. (cough!)
1. Ficus Ginseng Bonsai
OK, I know my first mention is a slightly unusual choice. When most people think of bonsai, they picture plants which are tiny and temperamental. Something that maybe requires specialist tools and the patience of a monk.
Patience? Never heard of it.
I am mentioning this one from sheer experience. IKEA’s Ficus Bonsai is surprisingly forgiving unlike other bonsai choices. As someone who struggles to stick to a diligent watering schedule, this little tree has earned its place.
Have I ever trimmed it? Not once. Has it held a grudge when I moved it around? Not at all! In fact it has proven to be quite hardwearing and easy to care for.
The only thing I have noticed is that it dislikes sitting near radiators and doesn’t appreciate having wet feet. Then again, neither do most plants. I have even left it in my bathroom, and it seemed to enjoy the extra humidity.
2. Spider plant
Next up is a spider plant.
When we think of plants for renters, non-fussy varieties seem to be our best friends. These little troopers can be displayed in hanging baskets, placed on a shelf, styled in the kitchen, or even squeezed into those awkward corners that bother us so much. They seem to settle happily. At least in my experience.
Now, I know many people who invest in self-watering pots and carefully monitor soil moisture levels. They are my heroes. As for me, my plants need to be capable of surviving a little neglect. No divas allowed here.
Probably that’s why I am still waiting to experience that wild, unruly growth that spider plant owners always boast (or complain) about.
They are also generally unfazed by house moves and super easy to propagate (which is a bonus) for those of us who are not exactly gardening experts.
3. Mini Swiss Cheese plant
I feel as though every renter goes through a cheese plant phase at some point. I know how glorious its larger Monstera cousins can look, but the mini ones are compact, less demanding than they look, and far easier to accommodate in a rented home.
They hit that sweet spot of adding plenty of character without taking over the room and grow quickly enough to make you feel as though you are doing something right. Their trailing habit makes them an ideal candidate for spreading a touch of greenery through the rental, especially one that lacks any outdoor space.
I also love the visual interest they add without taking up any valuable floor space, something we all know can feel like a luxury in smaller homes.
I have seen them thrive in the most basic containers without needing any extensive maintenance or specialist care. If they have survived under my care, that alone should count as a recommendation.
4. Pothos
My final mention has to be everyone’s sweetheart: the pothos.
In fact, it is one plant I struggle to separate from memories of home. Long before I knew the names of houseplants, pothos were already part of my childhood. As an adult, they remained a constant throughout my renting journey, following us through every house move.
That's why I've always had a soft spot for them. They are the plants that encourage even the most novice plant lover to keep going. Not fussy. Occasionally forgotten. Yet somehow still willing to give us another chance.
Pothos rarely resort to dramatic measures when they are unhappy. They simply droop when attention is needed.
A little bit like me.
What I particularly admire about pothos is that they grow more beautiful with age. The longer you keep them, the more verdant they become…
Did you spot any old favourites on this list? As for the fiddle leaf fig, my relationship remains a work in progress.
Ask me again in six months.
