A Guide To (Practically) Free Houseplants

July 23, 2021

Did you say FREE houseplants?!

Who doesn’t love to hear the word free? Especially when it’s in reference to houseplants.

Collecting houseplants can become expensive fairly quickly. Getting your hands on a ‘rare’ or hard to find plant may require you to dish out some extra funds in order to obtain that plant. You could even just want to collect plants to fill your home, and even if you go with common easy to find plants, it can still add up.

We all have bills to pay for and a life to live, so spending all your money on a houseplant hobby may not be the savviest.

I’m going to go over the ways that I have been able to get FREE houseplants (or almost free) and how you can grow the houseplant collection of your dreams.

What’s Propin’?

Propagation is a great way for you to expand the number of plants you have; with the plants you have. Most houseplants are fairly easy when it comes to propagation.

I usually snip a few pieces off of an already unruly and outgrown plant and stick those nodes in some water (or moss). In a few weeks to months, you’ll have a brand-new plant, ready to grow and take up more space in your home.

This is a great method for someone who already has a few plants in their collection and just want a lush home jungle and doesn’t care there’s not one of each plant type. This is a great way to expand the quantity of your plants in your home.

I can’t tell you how many Monstera Adansonii cuttings I have, that has now grown into full plants. Not only are Adansonii’s super easy to propagate, but they’re also quick growers. After a few propagations, it honestly got to the point I had to combine them because (believe it or not) I was running out of room.

Expanding your collection with propagation is completely free, which is music to your wallet’s ears.

If you’re interested in growing your plant collection in this way, check out my blog here: on effective ways to propagate your houseplants.

Sharing Is Caring

Plant trades are another way to not only get a free houseplants, but a great way to connect to an amazing community of plant nerds, just like yourself. Social media has been a great way to reach the plant community. Not only Instagram, but Facebook groups. They’re Facebook groups dedicated to only plant trades, which makes it easy and takes the awkwardness out of being like…

“Can I have a cutting of that plant?”

That’s what they’re there for!

Plant trades have been a favorite of mine. I’ve been able to check off some hard to find/Wishlist plants off this way. There are people just like you who are looking for the best deal on a plant or even looking for that plant in general. Some plant parents get lucky by finding a cool houseplant in a local nursery or snagging one in an online shop’s inventory drop.

So, if someone has a plant that you want, and you have a plant they may want – TRADESIES! Mostly plant trades are done by cuttings of a plant, but I have traded full plants in the past.

Plant trades typically only cost you for the shipping, depending on the plant and where it’s going it could cost from $3-$20+. Which if you’re trading a plant that you’ve seen online for no lower than $50+ and you paid $10 in shipping – I call that “practically” free!

Winter Is Coming…

When plants start to go out of season, some shops will throw an ‘end of the season sale’. These are meant to reduce their inventory for the upcoming fall or winter when most people aren’t buying houseplants – unless you’re like me and buy them all year round.

I have been able to get plants for a steal at some of these sales. Of course, they aren’t “free” but often times I’ve seen these sales go down to 70-80% off. Which again are…practically free houseplants. So, heading to your local plant nurseries/plant shops starting around the end of August to check to see if they have started any sales is a good place to start. Also adding your favorite shops on Instagram or Facebook can sometimes give you some insider sales.

I’ll also add in that I’ve seen big box stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot put houseplants on these big steel shelves which are on clearance. You can get a pretty great discount on these plants, and even in the growing seasons. Do keep in mind that these plants often have issues. Plants placed on clearance will need a bit of love and care.

Save That Money, Hunny!

My whole life I was taught to budget and shop around to find the best deal, which has lead me to some pretty awesome saving. Just think with all those savings, you could add it into buying another houseplant.

These are just a few ways I have been able to expand my houseplant collection on a dime. I hope you found this article useful and a good resource to be able to grow your collection with these (practically) free houseplants!