Houseplants are the hottest commodity right now, especially for independent garden centers. Though big box stores are also cashing in on the houseplant craze, I feel if you are looking for the unusual, your local IGC is the place to go. Of course, the internet also has its share of people selling unusual plants. No matter where you buy your unique plant, most likely you may be paying an astronomical amount of money for your plant. The prices of unusual houseplants are crazy!

This ‘Pink Princess’ philodendron was $150.00.

Buying the unusual

The temptation to buy an unusual houseplant is real. I should know. I’ve been buying houseplants for over 30 years. There are ones I wanted so badly, but the prices were prohibitive. I remember when I first saw the ‘Pink Princess’ philodendron, I was in love. I actually printed out a picture of it and put it on my husband’s pillow with “I want this” printed on it. It didn’t happen. It was $230 and this was many years ago. When I finally got one, it was given to me by a company my husband buys plants from for his garden center. I can be honest with you-I killed it. So I am really happy I didn’t buy the one that was hundreds of dollars.

I HAD TO HAVE this variegated ‘Whale’s Fin’ sansevieria.

What I did buy

I also lusted after a variegated monstera (it has always been one of my favorites) at a local IGC, also many, many years ago but it was also over $200. I did find one for under $75 and bought it. I had if for many years, but it, unfortunately, passed away. It just started deteriorating and finally died. I should have paid more attention, but if I remember correctly, I had teenagers at the time and I was busy. The sansevieria above is a new acquisition. I LOVE sansevieria and have quite a few species, but have been wanting one of these variegated ‘Whale’s Fin’ ever since I saw it online. When a local IGC owner came back from the Tropical Plant show in Florida he brought a lot of new plants and this was one. It was under $75. This one is mine. The ‘Yellowstone’ below is also mine and was $50.

So, as you can see  I’ve spent my share of money on houseplants.

Sansevieria ‘Yellowstone”

This Hoya kalimantan was $99.99.

What does that price do to your ?

So the point of this post is to find out if those prices, first of all, keep you from buying the plant? But, if you buy the plant, does it make you anxious because you have spent so much money on the plant? Do you still enjoy growing the plant knowing if you kill it, because we all kill plants, (at least I do) that you have lost a lot of money? Do you look at it as an expensive mistake? Or glass half full, an expensive learning experience? I want to know your thoughts. Do you pay more attention to your plant, knowing it was an investment and may have cost you a large part of your paycheck?

This ‘Thai Constellation’ monstera was $250.00 for an 8″ pot.

Prices

This ‘Thai Constellation’ monstera above was $250 and later they received larger pots of it that were $599.99. Believe me, when I tell you they are selling them. When I was there I wanted the variegated ZZ $149.99, the Philodendron ‘Birkin’ $99.99, and the variegated ‘Whale’s Fin’ which I bought. I resisted the rest, for now.

I do not remember the price of this ‘Florida Beauty’ philodendron, but I think it was around $100.

This ‘Red Heart’ philodendron was amazing, but I don’t remember the price.

Spathiphyllum ‘Jessica’ It was $60.00…it was tempting, but I left it behind.

Prices will come down

Luckily, the prices will eventually come down. Remember when the colorful aglaonemas were $40-50? Now this gorgeous one below is only $20. So, the good news is, if you have patience, you may be able to afford the plant you want.

This Aglaonema ‘Golden Flourite’ is a beautiful plant

So, let’s discuss this. Does the price of the plants make you anxious? Or are you just ecstatic that you finally have the plant you wanted, no matter the cost? No anxiety at all, just happiness. Or are you going to patiently wait until they are more affordable? Tell me in the comments.