Household Plants: Keys to Change

Image by Saskia Lee Tjokrosendjojo

Put Your Faith in Greenery: Why Plants Matter in Our Homes

Jakarta, as a city, is always full of life, with its busy streets, fast footsteps, and tall buildings. In such a city, it can sometimes feel like we forget how to breathe. Pollution clouds the skies above our homes, and most days, we find it difficult to notice just how heavy the air here has become.

But in my house, there's a corner where things are slower. There, amongst the leafy fronds and soft soil of my mother's household plants, I remember to pause. That's exactly where I learned: greenery is not just decoration. It's devotion to the cause of environmental justice.

The First Step is Awareness

The first step isn't actually money. It's awareness.

In the capital city of Jakarta, we're used to the smog. We tend to stop noticing the way dust clings to our leaves, and how the air feels just a little heavier after traffic hours. Over time, the abnormal becomes normal, but that's exactly the danger. We've stopped asking questions. We run about our own business and have stopped paying attention.

But awareness is a kind of resistance. Taking care of a single plant may seem trivial in the grand scheme of things, in the face of rising temperatures and worsening air quality, yet it's a shift in mindset. It's a practice in noticing. That's why I care about household greenery. Not because I believe a few pots of plants will solve Jakarta's pollution crisis, but because they teach us to see again.

Water, Light, and Time

Plant care isn't complicated, but it does take some attention. Here are a few things I've learned:

1. Start Small: Snake plants, pothos, or peace lillies are all hardy and perfect for beginners.

2. Sunlight matters: Find a place for your plant where it gets indirect sunlight.

3. Water with intention: Overwatering kills more plants than neglect. If the soil feels damp, wait.

4. Dust the leaves: Leaves get dusty, gently wipe them down to help your plant breathe.

Start Small: What You Can Grow in Jakarta Homes

• Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

  Why it's great: It purifies air, survives with little light, and needs minimal watering. a low maintenance plant.

  Price: Rp. 15.000-Rp. 50.000 depending on size.

  Where to get it: Local plant markets such as Pasar Rawa Belong, Tokopedia, Shopee, or even Instagram plant shops
  

• Sirih Gading (Golden Pothos)
  Why it's great: Grows quickly, easy to propagate, and looks beautiful trailing from shelves
  Price: Rp. 10.000-Rp.25.000

  Where to get it: Easily found in neighbourhood plant stalls, online marketplaces, or bundled in mini starter kits.

• Peace Lily

  Why it's great: It absorbs toxins like benzene and formaldehyde, blooms with white flowers, and only needs moderate light.

  Price: Rp. 30.000-Rp. 75.000

  Where to get it: Larger nurseries like Taman Anggrek Ragunan, or garden centers in Ace Hardware and Informa.

• Lidah Buaya (Aloe Vera)

  Why it's great: It's air purifying and useful for skincare burns and skin irritation. Low maintenance.

  Price: Rp. 10.000-Rp. 40.000

  Where to get it: Supermarkets like Hero or Farmers Market sometimes stock small pots. Also widely sold in online shopping malls like Blibli, Shopee, Tokopedia.

• Lavender (for those with Balconies)

  Why it's great: Natural mosquito repellent with a calming scent.

  Price: Rp. 20.000-Rp. 60.000

  Where to get it: Online shops with balcony-friendly gardening kits.

Where to Buy in Jakarta

Offline: Pasar Rawa Belong (West Jakarta), Ragunan Garden Center, Kebun Bibit Kemang

Online: Tokopedia, Shopee, Lazada (search "tanaman indoor"), or Instagram shops such as @plnt.co , @kebunrimbun , @tanamanindoor

Pro Tips

• Always ask your seller for watering and sunlight instructions.

• if your room doesn't get a lot of natural light, then stick to snake plants and pothos.

• Always try to repurpose containers (like glass jars or bekas kaleng) to reduce waste and save money.