Chez Servane, plants for sunshine and good luck

Servane is a writer for the Monstera application. She lives in the Paris 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.

Ten years ago, on a trip to Arizona, I discovered the Saguaros, the huge cacti you see in Westerns, of which there are many in the region. I tried to grow them from seeds bought locally, but never succeeded. So, to console myself, I bought a few Opuntia cacti to brighten up my terrace.

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

I have about ten potted plants on my balcony. As well as cacti, I grow mainly Mediterranean species: an olive tree, lavender and a lemon tree. They remind me 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 foliage is of little interest to my cat, who nibbles everything in sight. What's more, they're easy to care for. I have a euphorbia, a Sedum nussbaumerianum and varieties with fleshy leaves, such as Peperomia clusiifolia.

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

My Chinese coin plant (Pilea peperomioides) and my Money tree (Pachira aquatica)! Both are easy to grow and grow fast. They put out new leaves all the time, even in winter. What's more, I like the idea that they bring me good luck. I slip a coin into the soil when I repot them. It's supposed to make me rich.

I also love my zigzag cactus (Disocactus anguliger). I put it in a planter with a face and the result is rather amusing.

A High Aspidistre (Aspidistra elatior). Once again, it's a travel story. They're everywhere in Taiwan. People leave them in the street, outside their front door. I love their bushy silhouette and the texture of their leaves.

I managed to save my Maranta kerchoveana. It was attacked by red spiders while I was on vacation. When I came back, everything was yellow and dried out. I was about to get rid of it when I realized that the rhizomes were still healthy. I repotted them and put the plant in the sun, in a mini greenhouse. Three months later, it had already grown four leaves!

Saw Palmetto (Chamedorea elegans). At home, it just won't do. I killed a little one, which dried up in a few weeks without me knowing why. And I've been offered a large one, which isn't doing much better. It's also been attacked by cats and red spiders. I pruned it drastically, hoping it would take off again.

I tend to want to do too much: water too often, repot every year, fertilize every week... Monstera acts as a reminder. I respect the rhythm of the notifications, to the delight of my plants.

Start with plants that are easy to care for. Once you've experimented, you can try out more expensive and demanding varieties. And in any case, download the Monstera app! You'll find all the advice you need.