Houseplants can differ in just about every way, including how fast they grow. And if you’re a plant parent who enjoys observing interesting growth habits and new foliage on the regular, you probably look for plants that grow and change quickly. Or perhaps you’re just in a hurry to fill a space with beautiful greenery. Either way, if fast growth is a priority in your collection, here are a few plants that gladly oblige.
Pothos // Epipremnum aureum
Beautiful, adaptable pothos finds its way onto a lot of houseplant lists – it’s easy-care, tolerant of low-light, and great for hanging, to name a few. A big part of its attraction is its ability to put on lots of lush new growth in a short amount of time. Pothos not only grows outward with long, trailing vines, but under the right conditions, its leaves can grow to dinner plate proportions too.
Monstera // Monstera spp.
Whether your monstera at home is the lovable hulk Monstera deliciosa or the more delicate and trailing M. adansonii, it’s likely you didn’t choose this plant because it’s shy. Eager to see the world, even a small monstera will need a trim, a trellis, or maybe its own room within a couple of years, tops.
Rhaphidophora // Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
This adorable guy may look like a cross between a monstera and a philodendron, but it’s not closely related to either. However, it does belong to the same plant family – Araceae – and shares some enthusiastic traits like a penchant for developing aerial roots, climbing a trellis, and putting on quick growth.
Philodendron ‘Birkin’
Philodendron ‘Birkin’ has attracted attention recently for its beautiful, pin-striped foliage and easy-going philodendron personality. While maybe not quite as speedy as others on this list, ‘Birkin’ responds to quality light, water, and soil with lots of healthy growth. And as it matures, that pin-striped pattern on the new growth becomes even more distinct.
Money Tree // Pachira aquatica
In its swampy native habitat in central and South America, P. aquatica is a vigorous grower that can reach 60 feet tall. As a houseplant living indoors in a pot, this kind of growth is unlikely, but money tree will still impress you with new foliage on a regular basis, so you may want to trim it occasionally to manage its size and shape.
Encourage That Growth
Some plants naturally grow faster than others, but for any houseplant, the actual growth rate depends on its environment and care. All plants grow best when they experience the level of light, soil moisture, humidity, and fertilizer that meets their specific needs.
For instance, the fast growers in the list above all prefer lots of bright, indirect light and rich, well-drained soil that’s allowed to dry out just a little before a thorough watering. They also appreciate regular fertilizer during the growing season and a shift to a larger pot when their roots begin to fill the one they’re in. Another way to encourage growth in a tropical plant is to add humidity to the air – either by setting it on a pebble-tray filled with water or by running a humidifier in the room. And choosing a warm location, especially away from cold drafts, is helpful too.
Watch Them Grow
For many plant enthusiasts, the fun in owning houseplants is watching them grow – and some plants are champions at that. The next time you stop by the Greenhouse, take a look at one of these fast growers and see which one fits best in your home. And if you have any questions, be sure to ask – we’re here to help.
