Why does every coworking space in Bali have the exact same fake plant?

I've worked from six different spots in Canggu this month and every single one has that tall, spiky green fake plant in the corner. I asked a manager about it and he said 'it's in the digital nomad starter pack.' It matters because it feels like a weird copy paste of a vibe instead of a real place. Has anyone found a spot that feels different?

3 comments

3 Comments

paulc932mo agoMost Upvoted

Used to think it was just cheap decor until I realized it's a signal. That plant tells you the space is built for Instagram, not for doing deep work. Now I actively avoid places with it and hunt for spots with real, messy plants instead.

michaelrodriguez2mo ago

Ever notice how those perfect plants feel like stage props? I started looking for cafes with actual dirt under their fingernails, so to speak. The vibe is just more real and less like a photo shoot.

hannahs711mo ago

That "digital nomad starter pack" line is so true, it's like they all bought the same vibe in a box. @paulc93 is right about it being a signal, but I see it as a cheap way to look "tropical" without any of the real bugs or maintenance. It makes the whole space feel like a hotel lobby, sterile and meant for passing through, not settling into. I'd take a real, half-dead plant any day because at least it lived a life.