40 cm Plants That Grow Fast and Add Life to Your Indoor Space

So you wanna jazz up your living space with some green buddies, huh? But not just any plants. You want 40 cm plants — those little champs that hit the perfect size, grow quick enough to keep your patience intact, and don’t turn your apartment into a jungle overnight.

I get it. I once tried to grow a “fast” plant, and it ended up slower than a Monday morning commute. True story.

Anyway, here’s the kicker: 40 cm plants are like that Goldilocks zone — not too big, not too small, just right. Perfect for sprucing up shelves, desks, or those awkward corners you pretend not to see.

Why Bother with 40 cm Plants?

Let’s be honest, plants can be intimidating. Some grow like weeds and swallow your entire room. Others barely grow at all, making you wonder if you’re secretly a plant serial killer. (Spoiler: I probably am.)

The magic of 40 cm plants is they’re manageable. They won’t take over your life, but they’re big enough to say, “Hey, I’m here, and I’m thriving.”

Here’s what makes 40 cm the sweet spot:

• Fits snugly on a windowsill or side table.
• Grows fast enough so you don’t have time to get bored.
• Low-key enough to survive my notorious forgetfulness.
• Great for small spaces (which is most of us these days).

Fun fact: The Victorians thought talking to ferns kept you sane. I talk to my spider plant — mostly to remind myself to water it.

Fast-Growing 40 cm Plants You Can Actually Keep Alive

Let me tell you, I’ve killed my fair share of plants. My first herb garden died faster than my 2020 sourdough starter — RIP, Gary.

But these guys? They’re tough, fast growers, and top out right around 40 cm:

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

The OG of easy plants. I nicknamed mine “Spidey” after it kept throwing off baby plants like it was hosting a plant baby shower. Grows fast, loves indirect light, and looks wicked cool with its arching leaves.

• Pro tip: Don’t drown it. These plants prefer a light drink, not a bath.
• Reaches about 40 cm pretty quick — usually within a few months.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me “Oh, I can’t keep plants alive,” I’d buy…well, a lot of pothos.

This one’s a climber, but if you trim it regularly, it stays nice and bushy — and around 40 cm tall. Bonus: It’s a natural air purifier.

Where to Put Your 40 cm Plant? Location, Location, Location!

Here’s the thing — plants are divas about their sunlight. Some want shade, some want sun, and some just want to be ignored (like me at parties).

If you want your plant to hit that 40 cm milestone fast:

• Near windows with filtered light — avoid harsh direct sun that fries leaves.
• Keep soil slightly moist, but no swamp parties.
• Bonus points if you spritz a bit — many 40 cm plants dig humidity.

Oh, and I learned the hard way: Never place a plant right next to a heater. Mine turned crispy quicker than a forgotten piece of toast.

Perfect 40 cm Plants for Your Desk or Bookshelf

I once tried cramming a 1-meter monstera on my desk. Disaster. Leaves everywhere. Space? None.

If you want plants that stay neat-ish at around 40 cm, check these out:

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Elegance in a pot. White flowers, lush leaves, and around 40 cm indoors. Prefers low light — perfect for those dim office corners that still need a splash of life.

Aloe Vera

Medicinal superstar and a nice chunky plant that can hit 40 cm. Bonus: You can use its gel to soothe burns or the occasional gardening mishap. (Yes, I’ve burned myself. Twice.)

How I Measure My Plants (And You Should Too)

Tracking your plant’s growth is oddly satisfying. I have this mental image of my plant as a tiny green athlete training for a 40 cm marathon.

Quick and dirty way to measure:

• Grab a tape measure.
• Measure from the soil base to the tallest leaf.
• Mark it down (pen, app, napkin — whatever’s handy).
• Celebrate when it hits 40 cm. Trust me, it feels like winning.

Side note: The smell of Walmart’s parking lot rosemary on June 7th, 2019 still haunts me, but measuring plants is much less traumatic.

How to Make Your 40 cm Plant Grow Like a Champ

Fast forward past three failed attempts (and way too many Google searches), I discovered a few things that actually help:

• Use nutrient-rich soil. You need nitrogen-rich soil—wait, no, was it potassium? Let me Google that again… Yep, nitrogen helps leaves grow, potassium helps flowers. So for 40 cm leafy growth, nitrogen’s your friend.
• Feed your plant with liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
• Prune dead or yellow leaves — not just for looks, but so the plant doesn’t waste energy.
• Rotate your plant every week or so. Otherwise, it leans like it’s sunbathing on one side.

Some Unique 40 cm Plants That Don’t Get Enough Credit

If you want something that says, “Yeah, I’m a plant person,” without looking like everyone else’s, try these:

Calathea Orbifolia

Gorgeous leaves that look like they’re painted with silver stripes. It’s a little diva but hits 40 cm fast.

Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa)

True story: I bought this on a whim from Pete’s Hardware on 5th Ave. It was smaller than a soda can. Six months later? Boom. 40 cm tall with bright yellow flower spikes. The cracked watering can I used there survived my overwatering phase — miracle!

What NOT to Do If You Want a Happy 40 cm Plant

Mistakes? Oh boy, where do I start.

• Overwatering. Like, drowning your plant is the quickest way to turn it into a mushy mess.
• Sunburn. Don’t think plants love direct sun just because they’re green.
• Using the wrong pot size. Plants need room to grow roots, or they’ll stay stunted.

Their/there mix-ups? Guilty as charged. My first attempt at watering? Also guilty of killing a fern named Fred. Sorry, Fred.

Quick Cheat Sheet: 40 cm Indoor Plants at a Glance

Why 40 cm Plants Are Perfect for Beginners and Kids

Teaching my nephew about plants was a trip. We went with:

• Jade Plant — chunky and cute, perfect to touch and safe.
• Lucky Bamboo — always looks like it’s dancing at 40 cm.
• Parlor Palm — tough as nails and forgiving.

They survived his “enthusiastic” watering style, so these are solid beginner picks.

Styling Your Space with 40 cm Plants

Don’t just plop your plant down. Make it a statement.

• Floating shelves are perfect for a splash of green at 40 cm height.
• Mix a bunch of different 40 cm plants on your desk for a mini jungle vibe.
• Bathrooms are surprisingly great spots if your plant likes humidity.

Fun Historical Tidbit

Back in the Victorian days, folks thought talking to ferns prevented madness. I talk to my begonias just in case — at least they don’t talk back.

Final Thoughts

Look, I won’t lie — plants and I have a complicated history. But 40 cm plants? They’re manageable, satisfying, and add a little magic to your place without demanding too much.

If you want fast growth, style, and some easy green friends, these are your go-to.

So, whatcha waiting for? Go get yourself a 40 cm plant and start growing some life.