What plants to put in a van?

Updated on 28 00:00:00-11-2022

Cover image
Whether you're looking to make your van more welcoming, improve air quality, or bring a little life to where you are, investing in plants might be the solution.
But not everyone is an expert gardener with a green thumb. If you want to know what the best plants are for vans, read our practical guide.

The best plants for van life

Life on the road is a lot of fun but not always easy for plants and it often takes a particularly hardy plant to stay healthy.
A person looking to create a small oasis of calm in their van will need a low-maintenance plant that can adapt to changing environments.
And with such a small interior space, you'll also want something that won't get too big, too fast.
Here are some of our best plants suited to the challenges of van life.

Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

A very popular houseplant that you'll often see hanging around vans. These stunning ferns, with their graceful, arching fronds, offer full, bright green foliage.
As a bonus, they are the easiest to care for in the fern family. Although native to tropical regions, they like a relatively cool (but not cold) space with indirect light.
As you might expect from a plant that loves the humid, shady areas of South and Central American forests, direct sunlight doesn't suit them and they like to stay moist.
If the air is too dry, their leaves may turn yellow. Make sure the air circulates well in your van and don't let the temperature get too high.
They are known for their air-purifying properties and are non-toxic, perfect if you have a four-legged friend traveling with you!

Anthurium

Anthuriums, which come in several varieties, have amazing waxy "flowers" with vibrant colors to suit many decors, including red, purple, pink, and white. The green, heart-shaped leaves are also very beautiful.
They prefer bright, but not direct, sunlight, weekly watering, and warmer temperatures. And like many plants on the list, they are toxic if ingested. To learn more, find all the plant news on this site.

Chinese evergreens (Aglaonema family)

Chinese evergreen plants are the common name for a collection of plants in the Aglaonema family found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia.
They are certainly one of the most durable houseplants you will find and are grown primarily for their beautiful leathery leaves.
There are many varieties of these slow-growing plants, including plain, green, speckled, silver, and variegated types.
They thrive in indirect light, with plenty of humidity and temperatures above 15°C. They tolerate low light and drought conditions, but are toxic to pets, so keep them up high and out of reach.

Devil's ivy (Epipremnum aureum)

Sometimes called Pothos, this climbing plant has beautiful green heart-shaped leaves and is very easy to care for.
It doesn't need much light, water or care and is ideal for vans. It is toxic if eaten.

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

If you're looking for something cheap, cheerful, and virtually indestructible, the humble spider plant might be for you. They are extremely adaptable, easy to propagate, and grow in almost any environment.
Starting with a small seedling, they quickly grow into a decent plant that produces many other seedlings. Beautiful gifts for van owners you meet on your way!
They prefer cooler temperatures, plenty of indirect light, and drained soil. If your plant gets too massive over time, it can be easily divided into segments and repotted.
In addition to being non-toxic, spider plants come in several varieties, including solid green and variegated.

Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Moderately toxic, the snake plant is another van-friendly plant.
With its tough, green, lance-shaped leaves that rise upwards, it draws attention to the decor of a van.
Fortunately, it doesn't get very big, making it easy to control when space is limited.

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum family)

Peace lilies are a classic houseplant that is easily accessible to the RV owner looking for a bit of sophistication without too much work.
They prefer medium to low light and tend to tolerate underwatering rather than overwatering. Slightly toxic to people and pets.

There are a bunch of plants you can grow in your van. It all depends on your preferences in plants and your tastes. However, we advise you to choose only a few plants to avoid cluttering the little space you may have available in your van! Which one will you choose?