There are a few (well-known) ways to beat the heat: avoid going outside during the hottest part of the day, drink water, splash yourself with water whenever possible, and stay near a fan or air conditioner whenever possible—but plants also help cool things down, even if only visually.
North of Madrid, in Alcobendas, the Vivero Shanghái (Calle de los Padres Dominicos No. 42) is so large and offers such a wide variety of plants that it’s easy to find the perfect options to turn your home into a true oasis. The facility boasts more than 45,000 square meters of greenhouses, shelves, and aisles filled with greenery at prices that often put giants like Ikea or Verdecora to shame.
Plants at low prices
Part of the Shanghái phenomenon has to do with its prices. It’s one of the cheapest nurseries in Madrid because many plants cost half (or less) of what they do at typical home decor chains. Here are some recurring examples: orchids that cost at least 15–20 euros in other stores can be found here for less than 5; cacti and succulents starting at less than 1 euro; kentia palms starting at 9 euros; and large monstera plants for under 15.
Important fine print: most prices are listed without VAT, so you’ll need to add the tax at the register. Even so, even with the 21% added, the final bill is usually still significantly lower than at large gardening and home decor stores, which has made the nursery a huge hit among homeowners, interior designers, and small hospitality businesses looking to fill their spaces with plants without breaking the bank.
Another major draw is that Vivero Shanghái’s selection is almost overwhelming. Here you’ll find: trendy houseplants (monstera, ficus, pothos, calathea), outdoor and seasonal plants, fruit trees, herbs, succulents, cacti, ornamental shrubs, hedges, climbing plants, palm trees, and XXL specimens that look like they’ve been plucked from a botanical garden. In addition to live plants, the nursery functions as a large gardening and home decor bazaar: planters of all sizes, wicker and esparto baskets, clay pots, window boxes, vases, decorative gravel, and other accessories to complete the look.
Although it’s primarily geared toward wholesale—many companies and industry professionals shop here— it also sells to retail customers with no problem: you can go as an individual, fill up a cart, and pay for just one pot if you like. That said, it’s a good idea to go with at least a rough idea of what you’re looking for, because with so much greenery around, it’s easy to end up buying more than you planned.
