Updated January 6, 2023
Van life has become increasingly popular in recent years, with people opting to live and travel in converted vans for a variety of reasons, including the desire for adventure, a simpler way of life, and the ability to live and work remotely. One of the benefits of van life is the ability to bring along a small garden to add some greenery and life to your tiny home on wheels. However, choosing the right plants for van life can be a challenge, as you need to consider the limited space, limited light, and potential for extreme temperatures and prolonged periods of motion. In this article, we will explore some of the best plants for van life, as well as provide some tips for caring for and maintaining your plants on the road.
Succulents and cacti
Succulents and cacti are some of the best plants for van life due to their low maintenance and ability to thrive in harsh conditions. These plants are known for their ability to store water in their leaves, stems, or roots, which allows them to survive long periods of drought. They are also resistant to extreme temperatures and can tolerate low light levels, making them ideal for van life. Some popular succulents and cacti for van life include:
Aloe vera: Aloe vera is a popular choice for van life due to its medicinal properties and low maintenance. It is a succulent plant with long, thin leaves that are filled with a gel-like substance that can be used to treat burns, cuts, and other skin conditions. Aloe vera is also easy to care for, as it only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Jade plant: The jade plant, also known as the money plant, is a succulent plant with thick, glossy leaves that are believed to bring good luck and prosperity. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels. The jade plant is also easy to propagate, meaning you can easily create new plants from cuttings.
Snake plant: The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is a popular choice for van life due to its ability to purify the air and tolerate low light levels. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can thrive in a variety of conditions.
Christmas cactus: The Christmas cactus is a popular choice for van life due to its ability to bloom during the winter months. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Herbs
Herbs are another great option for van life, as they not only add some greenery to your tiny home, but they can also be used for cooking and have medicinal properties. Some popular herbs for van life include:
Basil: Basil is a popular herb that is easy to grow and can add a delicious flavor to a variety of dishes. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Mint: Mint is another easy-to-grow herb that adds a refreshing flavor to drinks and dishes. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Rosemary: Rosemary is a flavorful herb that is great for adding to a variety of dishes, including meats and vegetables. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Ferns
Ferns are a great option for van life due to their ability to tolerate low light levels and high humidity. They are also effective at purifying the air, making them a great choice for a small space like a van. Some popular ferns for van life include:
Boston fern: The Boston fern is a popular choice for van life due to its ability to tolerate low light levels and high humidity. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can add a touch of greenery to your van.
Staghorn fern: The staghorn fern is another popular choice for van life due to its ability to tolerate low light levels and high humidity. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can add a unique touch to your van with its distinctive, antler-like appearance.
Maidenhair fern: The maidenhair fern is a delicate-looking plant that is great for adding some greenery to your van. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Air plants
Air plants are another great option for van life due to their low maintenance and ability to thrive without soil. These plants absorb nutrients and moisture through their leaves, which allows them to
survive in a variety of conditions. Some popular air plants for van life include:
Tillandsia: Tillandsia is a popular air plant that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Xerographica: Xerographica is a popular air plant with wide, flat leaves that are green when dry and silver when wet. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Ionantha: Ionantha is a popular air plant with small, green leaves that turn red when blooming. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Tips for caring for and maintaining your plants on the road:
Choose plants that are easy to care for and can tolerate low light levels and extreme temperatures.
Water your plants regularly, but be sure not to overwater them.
Use a moisture meter to check the soil moisture levels and avoid watering if the soil is still moist.
Use a fertilizing solution to provide your plants with the nutrients they need to thrive.
Use a grow light if you have limited natural light to ensure your plants receive enough light to grow.
Protect your plants from extreme temperatures by placing them in a well-ventilated area and using a thermal blanket to keep them warm during cold weather.
Repot your plants if they outgrow their current containers or if the soil becomes too compacted.
By following these tips and choosing the right plants for van life, you can bring some greenery and life to your tiny home on wheels. Not only will your plants add some beauty and color to your van, but they can also help purify the air, improve your mood, and provide you with a sense of connection to the natural world. So, these are some of the best plants for van life that you can consider for your tiny home on wheels.
Miniature citrus trees
Citrus trees are not typically thought of as being suitable for van life, but there are some miniature varieties that can thrive in a small space like a van. These trees can add a touch of tropical flair to your van and provide you with fresh, healthy fruit. Some popular miniature citrus trees for van life include:
Meyer lemon tree: The Meyer lemon tree is a small, compact tree that produces sweet, juicy lemons. It is a low maintenance tree that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Kaffir lime tree: The Kaffir lime tree is a small, tropical tree that produces aromatic, bumpy-skinned limes. It is a low maintenance tree that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Calamondin orange tree: The calamondin orange tree is a small, tropical tree that produces small, tart oranges. It is a low maintenance tree that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Hanging plants
Hanging plants are a great option for van life, as they take up minimal space and add a touch of greenery to your van. Some popular hanging plants for van life include:
Devil’s ivy: Devil’s ivy, also known as pothos, is a popular hanging plant that is easy to care for and can tolerate low light levels. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can add some greenery to your van.
String of pearls: String of pearls is a popular hanging plant with small, pearl-like leaves that drape down beautifully. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Spider plant: The spider plant is a popular hanging plant with long, spiky leaves that grow from a central point. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Palms
Palms are another great option for van life, as they add a tropical touch to your van and are relatively easy to care for. Some popular palms for van life include:
Parlor palm: The parlor palm is a small, tropical palm that is great for adding some greenery to your van. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Kentia palm: The Kentia palm is a popular choice for van life due to its ability to tolerate low light levels and high humidity. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can add a tropical touch to your van.
Lady palm: The lady palm is a popular choice for van life due to its ability to tolerate low light levels and high humidity. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can add a tropical touch to your van.
Tropical plants
Tropical plants are another great option for van life, as they can add a touch of the exotic to your tiny home on wheels. These plants are known for their bold, colorful foliage and often have large, showy flowers. Some popular tropical plants for van life include:
Bird of paradise: The bird of paradise is a tropical plant with large, brightly colored flowers that resemble the head of a bird. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Philodendron: Philodendron is a tropical plant with large, glossy leaves that can add a touch of the exotic to your van. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Peace lily: The peace lily is a tropical plant with large, white flowers that resemble lilies. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Ferns
Ferns are another great option for van life, as they are able to tolerate low light levels and high humidity. These plants are also effective at purifying the air, making them a great choice for a small space like a van. Some popular ferns for van life include:
Boston fern: The Boston fern is a popular choice for van life due to its ability to tolerate low light levels and high humidity. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can add a touch of greenery to your van.
Staghorn fern: The staghorn fern is another popular choice for van life due to its ability to tolerate low light levels and high humidity. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can add a unique touch to your van with its distinctive, antler-like appearance.
Maidenhair fern: The maidenhair fern is a delicate-looking plant that is great for adding some greenery to your van. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Vines
Vines are another great option for van life, as they can add a touch of greenery and can be trained to grow along shelves or other surfaces. Some popular vines for van life include:
Pothos: Pothos, also known as Devil’s ivy, is a popular vine that is easy to care for and can tolerate low light levels. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can add some greenery to your van.
English ivy: English ivy is a popular vine with glossy, green leaves that can add some greenery to your van. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
Heartleaf philodendron: The heartleaf philodendron is a popular vine with heart-shaped leaves that can add some greenery to your van. It is a low maintenance plant that only needs to be watered once a week and can tolerate low light levels.
By choosing the right plants for van life and following some basic care and maintenance guidelines, you can bring some greenery and life to your tiny home on wheels. Whether you opt for low maintenance succulents and cacti, herbs for cooking and medicinal purposes, ferns for purifying the air, air plants for their unique growing habits, miniature citrus trees for a tropical touch, hanging plants for their minimal space requirements