13 Cheap Houseplants That Make Your Home Look Like a Jungle

Houseplants can make your home look like an indoor jungle, but they can cost you a pretty penny, depending on what plants you choose. If you get into collecting them, many houseplants get pricey. However, it’s entirely possible to create that jungle look with cheap houseplants.

Expense typically correlates with rarity, so when it comes to cheap houseplants for a jungle look, the ones that are easiest to find will be the most wallet-friendly. You can absolutely create the look of a jungle sanctuary in your home on a budget. You just need some creativity, a good source for houseplants, and a DIY spirit. 

To create a jungle look, you want to fill your space quickly. Large houseplants or those that grow quickly are the way to do it. You also want plants that are easy to propagate, so you can make your own new ones! Choose some vining or trailing plants, some that are tall, and others that are bushy and fill in spaces. 

Another expense in building an indoor jungle on a budget is the containers. There is no need to break the bank here either. Thrifted containers and upcycled pots are plentiful if you know where to look.

Let’s look at some cheap houseplants that will create the foundation for your indoor jungle.

GreenStalk Vertical Planter

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5-Tier Vertical Planter Basketweave

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Rim Self Watering Planter

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Rim Modern Self Watering Planter

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Marly’s Self-Watering Planter

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Marly’s Self-Watering Planter

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Golden Pothos

	botanical name Epipremnum aureum
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 6’-10’+
	hardiness zones 10-12

Golden pothos is the quintessential cheap and easy houseplant. They’re quite common, showing up in just about every place where plants are sold. If you don’t want to purchase one, you won’t have a problem finding a plant-loving friend to give you cuttings. I always have some of these in water to pass along. 

In addition to being easy to find and inexpensive, golden pothos is incredibly easy to care for. They require little attention except to water them now and then, and fertilize maybe once a month or so. 

Bright indirect light is best, but they are adaptable to medium light conditions. You can’t go wrong with this tropical vine. It will trail or climb, depending on the type of support you give. 

Spider Plant

	botanical name Chlorophytum comosum
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 12”-24”
	hardiness zones 9-11

Another cheap houseplant that is easy to care for and easy to propagate is the spider plant. This variegated beauty will add a new and interesting look to your indoor jungle. Their long, arching stems flower with enough light and produce plenty of baby spiders. It propagates itself!

Bright and indirect is the perfect light condition, but this houseplant can also tolerate medium light. They’re excellent for hanging baskets where their attractive foliage can drape naturally. These are non-toxic to pets and people as well. They are good air purifiers, too!

Money Tree

	botanical name Pachira aquatica
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 1’-6’
	hardiness zones 10-12

Money trees are easy to find and affordable. They make a great housewarming gift, as they symbolize luck and prosperity. Indoors, they reach about six feet tall, but outdoors, these are large trees that can grow up to 60 feet. 

Money tree has a lovely canopy of soft leaves, and it fits into a jungle-themed home beautifully. They’re versatile in their sun needs, and medium light will keep them alive, though they prefer more. They also love humidity, like most tropical houseplants. 

These are pet-friendly and purify the air. They’re relatively low-maintenance, though I find they require more care than pothos or spider plant. They are quite lovely to look at and long-lived. 

Peace Lily

	botanical name Spathiphyllum spp.
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 10-12

Peace lily is a perfect cheap houseplant for that jungle look you want to achieve. It’s also easy to find. This tropical understory plant has large, deep green, glossy leaves. It’s lush and lovely, adding a jungle vibe to any space. 

The perfect light conditions are bright, but indirect light. They will survive in less, but they are unlikely to flower. The blooms are simple and beautiful. They’re made up of a single white spathe surrounding a cream colored spadix. 

Peace lilies are adaptable and forgiving. They’re tough to kill, as they let you know when they need water with drooping leaves. Watering will make them look beautiful again. Be careful with this one; if you have pets, it is toxic to them and humans if ingested. 

Croton

	botanical name Codiaeum variegatum
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 2’-8’
	hardiness zones 11-12

Crotons are common and cheap houseplants that add tons of color to your indoor jungle. These shrubby plants come in a wide array of color combinations, in shades of green, red, orange, yellow, pink, and bronze. They look vibrant, beautiful, and are easy to find.

The more sun these get, the brighter their color will be. Too little causes fading and dull shades. Crotons are sensitive to any shifts in their environment and may drop leaves as a result. These are not pet safe, as their sap can be irritating if touched or eaten. 

Snake Plant

	botanical name Dracaena trifasciata
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 6”-4’
	hardiness zones 10-12

Snake plants are one of the cheapest and most low-maintenance houseplants you can add to achieve an indoor jungle look. They’re easy to find and have a succulent nature, so they prefer a certain amount of neglect. Overwatering, I’ve found, is the easiest way to kill a snake plant. 

Indoors, these are valuable for their air-purifying properties. Their stiff, vertical leaves create an interesting architectural element among softer leafy plants. Water every two to three weeks at the most. They prefer well-drained soil. 

Snake plants are mildly toxic to pets. They mostly cause gastrointestinal issues if ingested. Their effects are rarely serious or life-threatening. 

Dumbcane

	botanical name Dieffenbachia spp.
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 3’-6’
	hardiness zones 10-12

Dumbcane is another popular, attractive houseplant. You can typically pick this one up at a cheap price if you know what to look for. These have large, tropical, patterned leaves that bring that jungle look to your home. They’re easygoing and grow rather large in ideal conditions. 

Give your dumbcane houseplant a warm spot with moderate humidity. They prefer moist soil, but not soggy. Overwatering can lead to yellow leaves. Occasionally, wipe down the leaves to keep them looking glossy and healthy. 

All parts of this houseplant are toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Chewing on them can cause intense swelling and burning in the mouth, along with temporary speech loss, which is where their common name comes from. As long as you don’t eat this houseplant, it looks gorgeous and will certainly help create that jungle atmosphere. 

Cat Palm

	botanical name Chamaedorea cataractarum
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 3’-8’
	hardiness zones 10-11

The cat palm is a great choice for a cheap houseplant that will give you that jungle look you want. It creates great visual impact with its lush, feathery fronds. It has all the charm of a larger palm, without the high pricetag. 

Cat palms are steady growers, and they give a lot of reward for a minimal amount of care. They’re wonderful for filling a corner with tropical foliage and brightening up living spaces. They’re also non-toxic to pets and people, and don’t mind indoor living conditions. 

Heartleaf Philodendron

	botanical name Philodendron hederaceum
	sun requirements Bright indirect light, Partial to full shade
	height 2’-6’
	hardiness zones 11-12

Heartleaf philodendron is an excellent cheap houseplant for creating a lush jungle look in your home. Some philodendrons can be on the expensive side, but not this one. It’s not only a bargain, but it’s also easy to grow, and beautiful, too! 

Heartleaf is a fast grower with beautiful, heart-shaped foliage. It’s easy to propagate, so you can fill more spaces in your indoor jungle with plenty of specimens. In terms of care, this houseplant is flexible. It lights bright light and moderate watering. It tolerates some neglect and is a resilient plant overall. 

Boston Fern

	botanical name Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 10-13

The Boston fern is a wonderful choice for a cheap houseplant to give your home that jungle look you love. It has soft, feathery fronds and a bushy form to give a classic, tropical vibe to any space. This houseplant is easy to find and quite affordable, even for a larger specimen. You can get a spectacular fern without breaking the bank!

Usually, for less than ten dollars, you can get a beautiful Boston fern. They grow quickly and need minimal maintenance. They prefer moist, but not soggy, soil and moderate humidity. Their vibrant foliage is non-toxic to pets and people, making them an ideal, inexpensive houseplant.

Areca Palm

	botanical name Chrysalidocarpus lutescens
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 6’-30’
	hardiness zones 10-11

An areca palm is an excellent budget-friendly houseplant with a bold, tropical look. This is a great little palm for creating a jungle look, and it’s usually a cheap one compared with other palms. It has elegant, feathery fronds and bamboo-like stems that create height. It’s great for layering or filling a corner that gets good light.

Arecas are easy to find and affordable. They come in various sizes and grow quickly. They require only moderate watering and are adaptable when it comes to the sun. These are also non-toxic to pets and people, and with the right care, they are long-lived as houseplants. 

Dracaena

	botanical name Dracaena spp.
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 2’-10’
	hardiness zones 10-12

Major style and minimal effort are how I would describe dracaena as a houseplant. These tropicals are cheap and easy to find, and they’re even easier to care for. Variegated leaves add extra interest and make them stand out from the crowd. They’re widely available and typically come at a reasonable price. 

Dracaenas are slow growers, but they do grow large over time. They’re not picky about light, and they don’t need a ton of water or other care. These are great for the houseplant lover who doesn’t have a ton of time or money to spend caring for their indoor jungle. 

Chinese Evergreen

	botanical name Aglaonema spp.
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 10-11

The Chinese evergreen is an ideal cheap houseplant for an indoor jungle look that is wonderful for those with limited light. These can thrive in moderate to low light situations and have stunning, colorful foliage. Their patterned leaves are large and tropical, adding plenty of personality to your indoor jungle.