Why Are Houseplants So Expensive? [5 Expensive Plants]

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Why Are Houseplants So Expensive

If you’ve ever tried to purchase a houseplant, you know that it can be quite expensive. But why are houseplants so expensive? Is it because they’re difficult to care for? Or is there some other reason? In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the factors that contribute to the high cost of houseplants and try to answer the question of why they’re so expensive.

The COVID-19 crisis changed the world as we knew it. With the added isolation came the added responsibility (and expenses). People were confined to their homes, meaning they needed something to invest their time in.

“It’s nice having something that you can rely on and see consistent growth from, especially when you get laid off from a job, or a family member passes, or when you’re navigating an uncertain world.” – Maryah Greene

People quickly became interested in different varieties of expensive houseplants. Online influencers, along with the therapeutic benefits of houseplants, led to an influx in demand. Since not all houseplants are widely available, the high demand meant high prices.

Not everyone can afford houseplants anymore. Although there has been an increase in the popularity of houseplants, they are a part of nature and cannot be manufactured within factories. However, does the percentage increase make sense?

Why Are Houseplants So Expensive?

There are many reasons why houseplants may be expensive. It could be due to how rare they are and thus hard to come by. It could be how hard it is to make them grow or their unique maintenance-related requirements.

This means that some plants are luxurious and are simply meant for those who can afford to keep them. However, this does not necessarily mean that you will love all the expensive indoor plants in the USA. This is why you should choose plants that suit you financially.

Moreover, different houseplants have unique values and characteristics that add to their beauty. This can translate into a higher price since getting these plants is challenging.

  1. Not all houseplants can adjust to the same kind of climate. Growing them in these conditions requires a lot of investment, leading to a higher price.
  2. The flowering, foliage or unique stem of the plant can be rare,  making it expensive.
  3. It may be hard to further the reproduction of these houseplants.

Some of the Most Expensive Houseplants

There are many different kinds of expensive houseplants in the USA. No matter what the state, you can find a houseplant you like. However, various houseplants come with their own set of ranges. They can be anywhere from a hundred dollars to a million. It depends on you.

Expensive houseplants are usually classified as those plants that cost more than a hundred dollars. Here are some of the more expensive houseplants in the USA.

1. Bonsai Trees

Bonsai trees, such as Old Pine Bonsais, can be pretty costly. They are gorgeous plants that are high maintenance since they can be tough to care for. Trees take quite a lot of time to grow, and these plants are small versions of these trees.

Bonsai trees originated in Japan but have spread throughout the world in modern times. Celebrities are known to have paid thousands of dollars on fully matured Bonsais.

The most expensive indoor plants are often ancient. Many mature, centuries-old Bonsais in Japan sell for millions on the international market. This is because they have become antique pieces instead of simple houseplants.

2. Variegated Monsteras

Monsteras aren’t that expensive in general. However, these types of Monsteras are uniquely beautiful. Often beauty is found in deformity, and the remarkable thing about these plants is the holes in their leaves.

These expensive houseplants are the most costly within this species and can go for $3000 to $5000 in some markets. In the last decade, more and more people have been investing in this plant, leading to scarcity. Monsteras take their time to grow, and the demand is endless!

3. Fiddle Leaf Plants

Expensive houseplants are not always sturdy. Some of the most expensive houseplants can be moody and sensitive to environmental changes. This means that they need extra care in order to grow and flourish.

Since Fiddle Leaf Trees are tropical plants, they need tropical conditions. Confining these plants to a home or apartment means a need for extra care.

Mature plants cost even more than baby plants as they have already been nurtured and grown. You can buy Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees in the USA for up to $100. This means a hefty initial investment and great aftercare.

4. Philodendrons

Yet again, this plant isn’t expensive in general, but the variegated version is rare to find. Philodendrons take the beauty of variegated Monsteras and take it up a notch. Due to their bright foliage, Phikodendrons can sell for up to $10,000. Invest carefully since even the less costly Philodendrons can look just as good.

5. Orchid Plants

Not all Orchids are expensive and hard to care for. However, the Shenzhen Nongke Orchid is a rare beauty. These rare, expensive houseplants have been created in labs after research amounting to around nine years. It looks different from any plant you have ever seen before. This rarity adds to its price.

Guide to Expensive Houseplants

Before buying expensive houseplants, here are some things that you need to keep in mind. Make sure you follow these tips to make the most of your investment.

1. Try Not To Pay According to Size

Make sure all your questions are answered and the price is justified. You may be making a mistake if you are paying a lot for just a tiny plant because it looks beautiful. Just because a plant looks big doesn’t mean it is healthy.

Try to look for matured houseplants that you can maintain. Growing plants may be more complicated than you think. Make sure you are investing in healthy plants that can grow. Plants that look great on the outside may not be as beautiful on the inside.

If the plant is overly luscious, it may have experienced a peak. This means that it may be susceptible to change. Your new house may cause it to start drooping. Try to ensure that when you purchase big leafy plants, they don’t already have a lot of leaves.

This will save you disappointment in the future. You may not find your plant dropping many leaves in its first week.

2. Go For a Cheaper Plant if You Want

It is not necessary to invest in an expensive plant. Expensive indoor plants may not have been subject to fertilization in the past. However, if you want to reap the benefits of expensive houseplants, try to avoid buying from mass producers.

If you have invested in a cheaper plant, remove the topsoil to eliminate fertilization. This is especially useful in the colder months, when leaves may start to burn from the extra fertilizer that hasn’t yet been absorbed.

3. Go For Local Producers

If you want to give your houseplant the best environment, ensure you don’t bring it in from a region with a different climate. Try to buy locally so your houseplant can adjust to your home better.

Your plant needs time to adjust to your home’s weather conditions and lighting. If you subject it to more adjustment, it may give up. Local plant shops work on acclimatizing plants to the area of your residence. To prevent your houseplant from struggling, buy locally.

4. Buy From Reliable Sources

Online shopping for something as sensitive as expensive houseplants can be tricky. If you do not do background research, you may end up with a houseplant below your expectations and not worth the price.

For people new to the houseplant experience, try to go to plant sellers who will answer your questions, guide you, and help you make the right decisions.

The wrong kind of plant sellers may lead you to a houseplant that droops in the first week. This is because they may not guide you regarding proper care. Try to ask around about the price of your houseplant since some online sellers may rip you off.

5. Prepare for Your Houseplant

The first few days when you bring your houseplant home are the hardest. Whether it is an expensive or a cheap houseplant, it needs time to adjust. Trying to force a houseplant to accept its environment by suffocating it with water, sunlight, or fertilizer, may not be the best option.

Try to understand what your houseplant needs and fulfill its demands. If it wants a particular temperature or humidity, you must provide the right conditions for it to grow.

Make sure you check for insects, especially ants and fruit flies or gnats, in your house. You do not want to introduce your houseplant to an environment threatening it.

Read Is Bong Water Good for House Plants?

Do You Really Need an Expensive Houseplant?

You may not need an expensive houseplant. So why do you want to buy it? Get your motivations straight! Purchasing a costly houseplant does not only need the will to match other houseplant connoisseurs. It also requires an avid interest in the unique kind of plant you have purchased.

We need to get our priorities straight. When it comes to houseplants, we tend to focus on the beauty, the foliage, and the price point. However, we need to pay attention to the impact that we are having on our environment.

Expensive houseplants may be at risk. If you introduce a tropical houseplant with large foliage to your home, it may not last. Plants, like animals, need their unique ecosystems to survive. This means they need proper care and attention, which only a person with adequate plant knowledge can provide.

“Simply put, plants are great quarantine buddies! You can put love, care, and attention into these little green creatures and watch them flourish and grow. We need to practice this level of care for ourselves and for each other more than ever.” – Christopher Griffin

Expensive Houseplants FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions asked by owners (or potential buyers) of rare, expensive houseplants in the United States.

1. What is the most expensive houseplant?

The Variegated Monsteras are undoubtedly the most expensive. Although other plants may be harder to care for, these plants are much harder to obtain and can cost up to $10,000.

2. Why are houseplants so expensive?

Houseplants may be expensive due to the demand in the market. Many houseplants are in high demand and have led to a shortage. Expensive houseplants are being consumed faster than they are being grown.
For example, Philodendrons of unique colors (such as Pink and Black) may be harder to come across as they are modern variations of a much older plant.

3. Where can I buy an expensive houseplant?

Expensive indoor plants can be hard to locate; however, you can look for them at online shops or special markets. Etsy has also quickly become a popular marketplace for such kinds of unique houseplants.

4. What are the most expensive flowering houseplants?

You can buy many kinds of flowering houseplants that are expensive indoor plants. These consist of Orchids, Geraniums, and some types of Hydrangeas.

5. Are houseplants a big investment?

Expensive houseplants may not be everyone’s cup of tea since they can cost a lot in the long run and be hard to maintain. The soil, pots, fertilizers, and other investments needed to keep them healthy can become hard to manage.

Why Are Houseplants So Expensive
Why Are Houseplants So Expensive

Final Thoughts

Different kinds of houseplants require different levels of care. Some houseplants may be expensive due to their requirements and rarity. However, all plants are equal; no matter what plant you bring into your home, you are responsible for nourishing it.

Try to invest in plants that you can maintain for a long time. There is no reason to spend on plants you cannot keep up with as time goes on. Expensive plants require expensive maintenance, so spend wisely.

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