There’s also a “Camberville Plant Lovers” fb group where people will sell/trade/give away plants

I buy from Trader Joe’s. Is that cringe? Lol

Please let me know! Can I see a photo?

Trying to! Another person DM'd me. I told them I'd give OP 24 hours, then it's theirs. You can be next on the list.

You’re giving away a monstera?

Stay away from niche. They have scale. Every damn time I buy a plant there it brings a new infestation!

Looks like they might be closed for the winter, but they're definitely open spring/summer/fall. I bet come March they'll be open. Can't recommend this place enough

Was just coming here to suggest this. I’ve gotten pileas and monsteras from the buy nothing group. Also Home Depot/ Lowe’s (if you can get to them) sell succulents for < $10. They grow fairly quickly and are easy to propagate so you can end up with more plants than you know what to do with.

Mahoney’s is excellent for this. If you can get to Winchester it’s their biggest location but you can also hit up the one in Brighton and still get a great selection. Rickey’s is also great but may be scant on house plants this time of year. There’s also a few Facebook groups for trading/buying/gifting plants. I could grab the names if you’re interested. 😊

Found great plants on fb marketplace during moving sales. I scored a 6ft+ rubber tree for $30

I second going on "Buy Nothing" groups or trying to make gardening friends in other ways. When I stopped by Niche in Davis Square (cool place but small) they pretty openly told me that's the best way to get plants if you're more worried about price. That said, Ricky's is really cool (and might not be around soon?)

Heads up to OP theres only like 3-4 parking spots

I got a plant from Home Depot a few years ago and ended up with a nasty fungus gnat infestation from it. I do not recommend

Mahoney's is great. I've been to both their Winchester and Brighton locations. Brighton is probably closer, but the Winchester one is huge. I was there a few weeks ago. Tons of plants in every price range.

You could also check out Pemberton Farms on Mass Ave. They have a small greenhouse for indoor plants that's open all year.

Or if you want to try to find some free ones, there's a Facebook group called Somerville Plant Exchange that only allows free exchanges, no sales. Not sure if there's a similar group for Cambridge.

Spring, summer and fall. If you can't wait, Home Depot seems to have a good selection. (Not a plant person, can confirm they were alive and green.)

I had 3+ roommates through my 2 year master’s program at MIT. It’s doable. I lived in Cambridge. This city has an abundance of well…to put it bluntly…shit-tier off campus student housing. 5 years ago I was paying $900/month for a 10x10 room which is large for student housing. 4 roommates, 1 bathroom, small kitchen, a tiny living room that barely fit a couch and a tiny tv. Plenty of code violations in the place. Rents have gone up quite a bit since then, expect to pay more.

You will need roommates.

Just don’t expect to be saving for retirement unless you’ve got mom and dad helping, which from your post it seems you don’t.

I'll give you a little monstera this Saturday if you want it. Currently downsizing my collection due ti toddler curiosity.

Mahoney's in Brighton is pretty awesome.

Edit: Offer rescinded! Giving it to another person that DM'd me.

Technically Brighton and don’t know about their price point but mahoney’s always has a nice selection.

I feel like if you join the Cambridge/Somerville "Buy Nothing" groups on FB and say you're looking for some plant clippings or something someone might be willing to share. Won't necessarily get a full fledged plant but that's a pretty good free option

those reviews look great! are they only open in the spring? they look closed for the time

Ricky's Flower Mart is a good choice. Knowledgeable staff. Certain large plants can be pricey but they have a great and (usually) very healthy selection. Best to go in the spring though, I think they stock less variety in the winter. There's also parking

Happy 5th birthday!

Good to know it’s not just me!

Even though I love the Plough and Stars, I second this

Something the city should be very proud of.