It is said that the prevailing precariousness generates that with the thirties one replaces dogs for children. But the reality, at least in Madrid, is much more photogenic -for photogenesis, not for the ability to look good in a photo-: we have changed dogs for plants and it does not seem a bad decision. They are cheaper, they don’t bark and you hardly have to take them out for a walk.
In this green fever, halfway between Instagram botany and Pinterest interior design, finding a good nursery has become almost as valuable as finding an apartment with natural light. And there’s one, which almost no one talks about-but which is starting to get buzz among those in the know-that has more than 45,000 square feet of pure domestic jungle. Literally, a plant mall.
It is called Viveros Shanghái, it is in Calle de los Padres Dominicos nº42, in Alcobendas, and its size is out of this world. It is not a cute flower shop to buy a hydrangea with a cheesy message. Here you come to take half a botanical garden with you.
A walk through the jungle (excluding VAT)
The important fact, and not a minor one: the prices you see do not include VAT. But regardless of that, if you do the math, you can walk away with a dracaena and three pots for less than the cost of a monstera downtown.
The catalog of species is almost overwhelming: indoor plants, outdoor plants, fruit trees, aromatic plants, succulents, cacti, decorative shrubs, towering palms, monsteras the size of a small car… It is easy to get lost among so much green. A green that totals 45,000 square meters in size – the headline comparison makes sense if you know that the average size of an Ikea is 27,900 square meters.
And if the plants don’t tempt you enough, the decor section also has its whatsits: clay pots, ceramic pots, plastic pots, wicker baskets, XXL pots, vases, trays, centerpieces and even things you didn’t know you needed until you see them. And all at prices that seem wholesale.
The best plants for beginners that you can find in Shanghai Nurseries
While getting lost among ferns and XXL palms may sound tempting-and indeed it is-it’s not the norm to know about plants. But for those who are taking their first steps in the plant world (with more illusion than knowledge), in Shanghai Nurseries there are options that do not fail. They are resistant and easy to care for plants.
Among the most recommended for beginners are the pothos, known as the all-rounders of the living room: they grow fast, need little light and survive almost any neglect. Also triumphant are the sansevierias or mother-in-law’s tongues, which forgive forgetfulness of watering and endure stoically in dry environments. And of course, we could not miss the succulents, those small as grateful as decorative, ideal for shelves and desks with indirect sun.
If you prefer something more leafy, the dracena marginata or the zamioculca (that shiny plant that looks like a fake) are great choices. Both look great and ask for little, making them a favorite for those who want greenery without the hassle.