Plant tour cactus and succulents

Servane is a writer for the Monstera app. She lives in the Île-de-France region, where the weather is far too gray for her liking. To bring a little sunshine into her life, she collects Mediterranean plants and cacti.

How did you first become interested in plants?

Ten years ago, during a trip to Arizona, I discovered saguaro cacti—those huge cacti you see in Westerns, which are abundant in the region. I tried growing them from seeds I bought there, but I never succeeded. So, to cheer myself up, I bought a few cacti—Opuntias—to brighten up my patio.

Like many amateur gardeners, I couldn't stop there! I expanded my collection with houseplants to enjoy a bit of greenery in the winter, and I bought other plants for my balcony to keep the first ones company.

How many plants do you have?

Euphorbia abyssinica grows in a rather unruly way

I have about ten potted plants on my balcony. In addition to cacti, I mainly grow Mediterranean species: an olive tree, lavender, and a lemon tree. They are reminders of Provence, where part of my family lives.

I must have about fifteen houseplants. In my living room, I prefer succulents and cacti. They're non-toxic, and the texture of their leaves doesn't interest my cat, who nibbles on anything he can get his paws on. Plus, they're easy to care for. I have an euphorbia, a Sedum nussbaumerianum, and varieties with fleshy leaves, such as Peperomia clusiifolia.

In my bedroom, I've placed plants with decorative foliage, such as a Monstera variegata, a Calathea ornata, and a Ctenanthe setosa.

Which ones are your favorites?

My Chinese coin plant (Pilea peperomioides) and my Money tree (Pachira aquatica)! Both are easy to grow and grow quickly. They're always producing new leaves, even in winter. Plus, I love the idea that they bring me good luck. I slip a coin into the potting soil when I repot them. That's supposed to make me rich.

I also really love my zigzag cactus (Disocactus anguliger). I put it in a planter with a face on it, and the result is pretty funny.

The zigzag cactus makes this mustachioed gentleman look like Tahiti Bob.

What are the next plants you'd like to add to your collection?

An Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior). Again, it's a travel story. You see them everywhere in Taiwan. People leave them on the street, right outside their front doors. I love their bushy shape and the texture of their leaves.

What's your greatest achievement?

I managed to save my Maranta kerchoveana. It was attacked by spider mites while I was on vacation. When I came back, everything was yellow and dried out. I was about to throw it away when I realized the rhizomes were still healthy. I repotted them and put the plant in the sun, inside a mini greenhouse. Three months later, it's already grown four leaves!

The Maranta has risen from the ashes.

And what's your biggest failure?

Saw Palmetto (Chamaedorea elegans). It just doesn't thrive in my home. I killed a small one—it dried out in a few weeks, and I have no idea why. And someone gave me a big one, which isn't doing much better. It's also been attacked by the cat and spider mites. I pruned it back drastically, hoping it would bounce back.

But the dwarf palm looks pretty sad.

How does Monstera help you care for your plants?

I tend to overdo it: watering too often, repotting every year, fertilizing every week… Monstera acts as a gentle reminder. I stick to the notification schedule, much to the delight of my plants.

What advice would you give?

Start with easy-to-care-for plants. Once you've gained some experience, you can try more expensive and demanding varieties. And in any case, download the Monstera app! You'll find all the advice you need there.