We probably don't need to tell you that houseplants are pretty expensive. But here's a little tip: when it comes to houseplants, size matters. The bigger they are, the more expensive they are. So, being knowledgeable about the fastest growing houseplants can save you a lot of money.
There are so many great places to buy houseplants, it's no wonder you want to have more plant babies in your home — they purify the air in your home, lift your mood, and help you sleep — but most people can't afford to buy a full-grown Monstera or Fig to make their houseplant ideas a reality.
But that doesn't mean you have to live in a house without houseplants: all of the houseplants on the list below are incredibly fast-growing, so you can easily buy much smaller alternatives for a lot less and have them growing in your home in no time.
fastest growing houseplant
“It's important to note that the growth rate of these fast-growing plants can be affected by factors such as light, temperature, humidity and the quality of care they receive. Regular fertilisation and proper watering can greatly boost growth,” explains Oliver Hill, gardening expert and founder of The Garden List.
But with the right care, buying a small, fast-growing houseplant can definitely be a win-win over a pricey, full-grown plant. Either way, it's worth your time to figure out how and when to repot your houseplant when it outgrows its current pot.
1. Spider Web Plant
(Image courtesy of Future PLC)
Here at Ideal Home, we're big fans of the spider web plant, the ultimate all-purpose plant. Firstly, it's considered one of the most durable houseplants out there. Plus, we might add that it's one of the best plants for preventing moisture and condensation.
These fast-growing houseplants typically reach a height of around 50cm, but their creeping vines make them perfect for shelves, bookshelves and plant stands. “Spider web plants grow almost 40cm every six months to a year,” explains LeisureBench garden expert Steve Chilton.
Fast growth is definitely an advantage, but it also means that the roots will get clogged up quickly, so to help your little spider web plant grow as big as possible, repot it as soon as you see the roots coming out of the pot. Generally, you should repot it every 1-2 years.
Once you have an established spider web plant, you can also use the baby spiders to grow baby spider web plants.
Steve Chilton
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Gardening Expert and Director of LeisureBench
Steve is a passionate and knowledgeable horticultural professional with several years of experience in the field and has developed deep expertise in all things nature and plants. Steve is a passionate educator and loves sharing his knowledge with others. He is committed to simplifying complex gardening tasks and encouraging environmentally friendly gardening.
2. Monstera
(Image courtesy of Happy Houseplants)
Let's be honest, the Monstera (or Swiss Cheese Plant) is pretty cool. It's set to play a major role in 2024 houseplant trends, and its large size combined with its unique leaf pattern gives this plant the chance to make a real statement in your home.
It is possible to grow more Monstera plants, but what if you don't have a brand new £50 note to buy a full-sized Swiss Cheese? You'll end up buying the smaller, cheaper Swiss Cheese, of course!
Monsteras grow very quickly and don't stay small for long, so it doesn't hurt to buy the smallest one you can find.
Steve says: “Monsteras can grow up to two feet a year and are also one of the most beautiful plants you can buy for your home. In the last few years, Monsteras have seen a resurgence in popularity, so now is the perfect time to invest in a plant that is not only beautiful to look at, but will instantly liven up your living space.”
3. Aloe Vera
(Image courtesy of Future PLC/David Giles)
Succulents are notorious for taking longer to grow than other houseplants because they thrive in dry environments, but overall, aloe vera is actually a very fast-growing plant.
Simply avoid these succulent care mistakes and you should be able to reap the rewards of seeing new aloe vera leaves every month throughout the spring and summer growing season.
This means you can buy a small aloe plant for just a few pounds and know it will grow before you know it.
4. Poison ivy
(Image courtesy of Future PLC)
Formally known as pothos, devil's ivy is a beautiful climbing houseplant that produces mottled light and dark green leaves when properly cared for.
Thankfully, caring for this fast-growing plant is super easy and will continue to thrive in low light conditions even if you forget to water it every now and then, meaning there's no need to worry if you're saving money and can only afford a small poppy plant.
“Pothos is known for being hardy and fast-growing, growing up to a foot per month under ideal conditions. It's a great choice for beginners and will add a lush, green feel to any space,” Oliver explains.
I can vouch for this myself, because I constantly trim the ivy in my living room to keep it from dragging across the floor.
The downside to this fast-growing plant is that you will need to repot your poppies every year, but when you get them at such a good price, that's a small price to pay, right?
5. Philodendron
(Image credit: Getty Images)
If you're looking for a fast-growing houseplant that will fill up any space, the Philodendron is a great choice. Many people let the long tendrils and leaves of this houseplant hang down from a plant stand or shelf, but this plant actually prefers to crawl.
With the right care and attention given to your little philodendron (indirect sunlight and weekly watering), you'll see just how quickly it can grow. Generally, it will grow about 2-4 inches per week during the spring and summer growing season, and a fully grown philodendron can reach a whopping 36 inches in height.
But what's amazing about these plants is that they are much wider than they are tall, and a healthy philodendron can grow to over 40 inches wide.
6. Bamboo
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Bamboo may not be the most lush, green plant you'll ever see hanging from a bookshelf, but it is certainly a unique plant. In fact, that's exactly why buying large pieces of bamboo can be so expensive.
But if you don't have a few extra bills in your wallet, opting for smaller bamboo stalks will cost you very little and you won't have to wait as long for the bamboo to grow.
“While bamboo isn't a traditional houseplant, it can be grown indoors and is one of the fastest growing plants in the world – some species can grow several centimetres a day under optimal conditions,” Oliver said.
But what are the optimum conditions? Bamboo needs high humidity and bright, indirect natural light all day.
7. Peace Lily
(Image courtesy of Beards & Daisies)
If you know how to care for a peace lily and are prepared to accept that it will grow differently than the other houseplants on this list, this is definitely a fast growing plant.
That's because peace lilies don't grow as tall and large as spider web plants or philodendrons, but what they lack in size they make up for with their endless greenery.
“Although height growth may be moderate, they produce new leaves and flowers quickly, often blooming multiple times a year,” explains Oliver.
Large peace lilies with lots of greenery sell for around £50 each, so if you're on a budget your best bet is to choose a smaller plant and wait for it to grow.
FAQ
What is the fastest growing indoor plant?
Devil's Ivy (also known as Pothos) is generally considered to be the fastest growing indoor plant. It has been known to grow up to a foot per month, and even more in optimal conditions.
So, if you want to fill your home with greenery quickly without spending too much, choosing smaller plants and waiting for them to grow can save you a lot of money.
What is the easiest houseplant to grow?
If you want a houseplant that can tolerate forgetting to water it or having low light, aloe vera is a great choice, but if you're looking for something a little more lush and full-bodied, pothos is also easy to grow.
Filling our home with plants while saving money sounds like a win-win to us!