Plant knowledge please?

[Twobabiesandamadcat]

My DN has asked me for a plant for her birthday in October. She loves nature and wants a wee bit of it for herself I think. I am utterly clueless about plants though. She lives in a flat with no balcony plus it being October I'm thinking an indoor plant is more sensible.

I'm looking for something that isn't a Cactus that will survive without needing lots of specialist care indoors. I originally thought a bonsai tree - assuming a tree would be quite hardy but some of my research is telling me they're actually quite tricky to keep alive 🤔. Budget is around £25 and I've got lots of garden centres nearby (I could.go ask there but sometimes you get someone who really knows their stuff and other times someone who is just as clueless as me 🙈) or could order online.

Any interesting suggestions?

Your best bet is posting on this section as there are some very knowledgeable gardeners on it
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/gardening

Otherwise my go to at this time of year is an indoor cyclamen.

Monstera Deliciosa.

Include a nice pot cover.

An aloe Vera. Doesn't mind if you forget to Water it. Doesn't seem to get thrips or other pests. Useful for burns.

A monstera would be okay, as long as it's kept in decent (but not direct) light and is simply moist all the time, but not wet. You could also gift a little grow lamp along with the monstera to help it along, but that isn't strictly necessary. If they're happy, monsteras can grow large, but that would take a few good years at least.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/9151/impatiens-niamniamensis/details

This is a lovely houseplant. Evergreen with gorgeous flowers that look a bit like parrots!

Thanks so much everyone I'll have a wee look at these

I would get a schefflera (umbrella plant) as they are pretty much indestructible and for 25 quid you should be able to get a decent sized one.

Monsteras take a lot of neglect but can grow large and unwieldy fairly soon.

Aspidistras are very tough plants, as are zz plants
Another idea - how about a terrarium -either made up or as a kit for her to do?
https://www.theartofsucculents.co.uk/collections/closed-terrariums?srsltid=AfmBOooIRd_HaabZ2seUOjvOFTHNkrYCTr3PeETNEyMDcf_mcri0rOV1

I agree with the aloe vera, and spider plants.

Agreed, really easy to keep happy :)

Definitely not a Bonsai, they’re really quite temperamental.

Peace lillies are lovely to look at and super easy to maintain. They droop when they're thirsty so you water them and then they just lift back up again so it's handy that it tells you when to water! I'm also a fan of a spider plant especially when they get root bound and have babies! I wouldn't be inclined to order online, I've done it before and the plants had mites which could have affected all my other plants, better to go to a reputable garden store where you can actually see the plant.

Orchid

Though I love the plant, mine always get aphids.
Go for a spider plant, they are easy-peasy so long as you don't leave them out in the snow!
Aspidistras will take the snow and are unkillable but they are somewhat dull (though their flowers are weird).

How about a good old-fashioned rubber plant, Ficus elastica? They're very forgiving and although they can get large, it takes many years for them to do so. You can get plain green ones and also variegated (green with white, cream or pink markings) - the plain green ones are hardiest.

Have a look at Patch Plants, they’ll take you through a questionnaire about what style and size, how high maintenance, etc and then recommend some plants with pots to match. Hortology is similar.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

• Description: Spider Plants have arching leaves with a green and white striped pattern. They produce “babies” or offshoots that can be replanted.
• Care: They’re easy to grow and prefer bright, indirect light. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
• Cost: Usually very affordable and available in garden centers.