Right now, houseplants are a popular home décor trend, and Millennials clearly enjoy caring for them as a new hobby.
Consumers reported spending a record $47.8 billion on retail lawn and garden goods, with 30% of all households purchasing at least one houseplant, according to the 2019 Gardening Survey. According to the poll, families with gardens now have a nearly 30% youth population between the ages of 18 and 34.
The current indoor houseplant fad, according to Ian Baldwin, a gardening industry expert and business counselor who took part in the survey, is reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s, when homes were crammed with all sizes and forms of non-flowering plants in pots or macram hangers.
What, though, are Millennials buying more of than ever, and why do they adore houseplants?
Plants are a natural attraction for the Millennial age since they place a high value on health and wellness. Through their ability to improve mood, reduce stress, and purify the air, plants are recognized to provide healthier environments for humans to live in.
Young people are employing plants to create green spaces to reduce stress, especially those who live in urban flats. Furthermore, plants provide life to sterile areas, provide privacy, and even lower noise levels.
Employers who are sensitive to the needs of millennials are also working to create healthier work environments by introducing living walls and green areas to assist raise the standard of living for their staff. In their 200,000 square foot space, the Etsy headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, includes more than 11,000 plants.
Although many Millennials are deferring home purchases, marriages, and childbirth, they still feel a need to care for others. Young people have the chance to take care of a living thing and can connect with others without having to make a big commitment when they grow plants. Additionally, plant owners do not have to worry about a landlord’s no-pet rule or finding a sitter while away.
The community that plant collecting fosters, both offline and online, may be the reason why Millennials enjoy it so much. In towns around the nation, new plant clubs, plant exchanges, and plant exhibitions have recently emerged.
The internet community is likewise expanding quickly. Some even claim that Instagram, which gives plant owners a platform to showcase both their collections and their knowledge, contributed to the rebirth of indoor houseplants.
The fact that millennials adore indoor plants is a good thing. In a society where there is frequently a disconnect, it fosters community while also encouraging self-care and nurturing. The Millennial generation is well-positioned to maintain an enduring affinity for plants, despite the fact that the current plant mania may appear to be a passing trend.
Why are house plants so popular now?
Watering, pruning, repotting, cleaning, and other maintenance tasks are necessary for houseplants, yet many people find these chores relaxing because they require us to take our time and carefully devote to something. In a chaotic and uncertain world, taking care of plants can offer soothing rituals.
A vacation from technology, such as that offered by taking care of plants, can be a welcome relief from the stress of notifications, social media, and the on-going burden of having to be reachable around-the-clock via a cell phone.
Plants are also lovely, and admiring lovely things can uplift and calm us. Seriously, how beautiful is this?
Plants bring nature inside
The fact that houseplants are a simple method to bring a touch of nature inside is a significant factor in why most indoor gardeners adore plants.
Due to their demanding professions and busy social schedules, Millennials and Gen Zers may not spend as much time in nature as they would like to. Many people live in cities where it is difficult to find nature.
Many young people are delaying home ownership in favor of renting due to soaring home prices, student loan debt, and a competitive employment market, which results in many of them living in apartments without yards.
A terrific method to create your own own patch of nature inside is with houseplants.
Social media brings plants lovers together
I have stated how popular houseplants have become on social media, particularly Instagram. Beautiful houseplant pictures can motivate people to start their own plant collections, and this fashion quickly catches on.
Additionally, social media gives gardeners a forum to support one another, motivate one another, provide advice, organize meetups and groups where they may discuss topics of interest and even exchange or share cuttings from their collections.
Why do Millennials have such a thing for houseplants?
With that weak joke out of the way, I’ve been wondering why there’s a brand-new craze for houseplants, especially among millennials.
Mom grew plants in each south-facing window of our Lisbon, North Dakota, home, so I grew up with indoor plants. At their farm between Alice and Fingal, North Dakota, her mother also had windows with similar sunshine and houseplants. Mostly common plants like geranium, coleus, ivy, snake plants, and cultivars that could be propagated by cuttings, the plants weren’t particularly exotic “slips.
The popularity of indoor plants has a cyclical nature. Although the history of indoor plants dates back to Ancient China and Babylon, it wasn’t until the 1800s, with the advent of central heating in homes, that houseplants became simple to grow and gained widespread popularity during the Victorian era.
In the years that followed, business fluctuated before picking up again during the hippie era in the 1960s and 1970s, when houseplants were in great demand to fill the macrame plant hangers that were commonly hanging from living room ceilings. Bottle cutting gained popularity, and the popularity of DIY glass terrariums increased plant demand.
Millennials are to blame for the current rise in houseplant activity, which has not been seen in a decade or two. According to the National Gardening Association, they are credited with rejuvenating the flagging U.S. houseplant business, which has grown by 50% in the last three years to more than $1.7 billion yearly. They have been blamed for ruining a variety of things, including beer and golf.
Why the fever for houseplants? I’m about a generation older than the millennial generation, therefore I rely on what other people who have evaluated the situation have to say.
It is commonly known that millennials are delaying important life events like marriage, home ownership, and parenthood, mostly due to financial considerations, and that rising home costs force millennials to remain renters. Millennials appear to be looking to plants for some of that connection because humans seem to have a natural tendency to connect with other living things.
Compared to other living things, like pets, plants typically don’t need as much urgent care. In reality, both dogs and children are increasingly being replaced by plants, at least temporarily. If you’re gone for a few days, houseplants won’t perish or ruin the rug.
Pet restrictions are not a concern for tenants, and keeping indoor plants is typically not a problem.
But a stronger power is behind the current frenzy. The yearning for indoor plants among millennials and their preoccupation with social media have collided. Instagram and Facebook in particular are flooded with plant images and maintenance advice. Never before has a generation had access to such a richness of knowledge.
New acquaintances are developed, and terminology like “plant coach” and “plant parent” are created. A whole generation has learned about indoor plants thanks to social media, and they are sharing what they have learned.
The spark is lit and the flames are fanned by social media, but millennials are going one step farther and looking for live plant gatherings, cutting swaps, and houseplant seminars. Similar plant enthusiasts believe they have a supportive network that they can turn to for advice and experience sharing.
Additionally, houseplants fit in well with the health ideologies of the millennial age, sometimes known as the “generation health. They value how plants may improve both one’s physical and emotional wellness.
What kinds of indoor plants are popular among millennials? Millennials prefer to shop at locally owned garden centers instead of big-box stores when buying plants. Popular indoor plants include succulents with unusual shapes and textures, as well as those with bright leaves.
Rare, collector-type houseplant cultivars are in demand and can sell for a premium. Similar to how one could indulge in a more expensive work of art, these plants are displayed and appreciated.
How long will the current cycle of home plant crazes last? Time will tell, but from personal experience I can say that once the bug bites, you’re bitten.
A Honeycrisp apple tree in our yard is acting strangely. Despite our early, harsh winter, it has still not lost any of its leaves as of January. This behavior is unique to the trees in our community and has never occurred before. Is there something wrong with the tree, and what should we do about it? Fargo’s Chuck Peterson
A: This issue is more prevalent than usual this year, based on the amount of comparable emails that were sent, even though they had various tree types. We remedied this with a silver maple a few weeks ago.
Marcescence is the process by which dried, dead leaves cling on a tree rather than dropping. The shorter days and increasingly lowering temperatures of autumn typically indicate “At the location where the leaf is attached, an abscission layer of cells eventually forms, which causes the leaf to loosen and fall free. Sometimes the process is interrupted or leaves are abruptly killed before the breakaway cell layer occurs by early cold weather, frosts, or other interferences, causing leaves to cling to the tree rather than fall.
If leaves don’t fall naturally, the freshly developing buds will typically push the old leaves off when growth resumes the following spring. Marcescence isn’t often related to winter damage, so perhaps your tree won’t suffer any damage. Nothing needs to be done in the interim.
I’ve always appreciated a gorgeous, green grass. I maintain it mowed at a medium height and have it professionally sprayed four times a year, but a few years ago it started to get uneven, thin in some places, and difficult to walk on. Could those be worms? If so, how can I get rid of them so that my lawn can once again be lovely and healthy? Moorhead resident Jeanne Strom
A: As you surmised, earthworms are probably the root of the issues. The nightcrawler is a member of the broad group of earthworms, and they play a generally helpful role in a lawn. By breaking down organic matter, they aid in reducing thatch buildup, and their burrowing enhances aeration while boosting water and nutrient circulation through the soil.
The lawn becomes significantly rough and extremely painful to walk on when these worms are present in high concentrations. Some lawns may develop thin spots as a result of their activities. The ground’s ridges are referred to by Kansas State University as “middens, a collection of castings and plant remains (worm excrement).
How can the activity of other earthworms and nightcrawlers be managed? During the growth season, irrigation should be less frequent and deeper to maintain earthworm populations deeper in the soil and reduce bumps and middens on the surface. However, earthworms may prefer to stay close to the surface if sprinkler systems provide regular, shallow irrigations.
Mid-May and early September power raking minimizes bumpiness and the amount of food that can cause population explosions. No insecticides are currently approved for use in the control of nightcrawlers.
How did indoor plants gain popularity?
A seamless transition from the interior to the garden was secured in the early 20th century by wide, frequently floor-to-ceiling windows. Architectural changes and the invention of new glass production techniques ensured that larger windows were employed, which boosted lighting in living rooms. Following the Boer War, Senecio angulatus acquired popularity in Queensland during the Edwardian era, where it was featured in garden pillars in Brisbane newspapers in the late 1900s. [13]
Although the golden pothos, Chinese evergreens, peperomia obtusifolia, Boston ferns, cactus, and ficus elastica had a modest presence throughout the first half of the century, they became more prominent after World War II when houseplants became popular once more. In the early 20th century, however, houseplants became dated due to their cluttered popularity in the Victorian era.
[10]
Why do we enjoy indoor plants?
Not simply because they seem pretty, houseplants are beneficial to your health. Why? They essentially emit oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide, the exact reverse of what we do when we breathe. This removes dangerous contaminants from the air while also reviving it. According to extensive NASA study, indoor plants can eliminate up to 87% of air toxins in just 24 hours. Additionally, studies have shown that indoor plants can lower stress levels, raise mood, and increase productivity (up to 15%), making them ideal for both your home and office.
Place plants on your desk at work, especially those with broad leaves; they’ll help control humidity and boost your mood.
Nature and vegetation help us feel more peaceful and relaxed, which improves our mood on a daily basis. Indoor plants will improve your life and serve both functional and decorative purposes.
What do you call someone who is plant-obsessed?
A nurseryman or nurserywoman who is passionate and knowledgeable about plants is known as a plantsman.
[1] Although the phrases “plantswoman” or even “plantsperson” are occasionally used, “plantsman” can apply to either a male or female person. The term “plantsman” is occasionally used interchangeably with the terms “botanist” or “horticulturist,” however those terms would denote a professional interest, whereas “plantsman” describes a perspective on (and perhaps even an obsession with) plants. Plantsmanship is not always associated with horticulture, though a plantsman may be a horticultural.
What proportion of people own indoor plants?
Highlights of the data on indoor plants:
- Seven out of ten millennials identify as plant parents.
- Seven houseplants per typical plant parent have perished.
- Demand for houseplants increased 18% during the Covid epidemic.
- At least one houseplant is kept in 66 percent of American households.
- Interacting with indoor plants for just 15 minutes can alleviate stress.
- Up to 15% more productivity is gained from indoor plants.
- Less sick days are taken by employees whose workplaces have more plants.
- In just 24 hours, houseplants can eliminate up to 87 percent of airborne pollutants.
- Each year, the typical household spends $608.54 on gardening supplies.
- Adults who produce food plants or want to do so make up 67% of the population.
in 10 millennials call themselves a plant parent.
It’s no secret that the once-forgotten passion with houseplants is returning, particularly among millennials.
The term “plant parent,” which was coined by millennials, describes taking care of indoor plants. The plants they actually look after are called plant babies. Plant parenting offers a sense of purpose and delight but requires far less effort and commitment than raising actual children or animals. (1)
A rising trend among millennials is plant parenting, which is made more challenging by the fact that many of them have delayed having children and would rather rent than own homes.
Seven out of ten millennials identify as “plant parents,” according to an article and OnePoll 2020 poll on the generation and plants. In other words, taking care of houseplants is more than just a hobby for millennials; they see themselves as taking care of their plants like a parent. (2)
The study examined the interactions of 2,000 millennials with plants. The findings also show that 40% of millennials intend to purchase a new houseplant this year, while 48% of them doubt their ability to maintain plants.
Average plant parent has killed seven houseplants.
The typical plant parent has lost seven indoor houseplants that they have brought home, according to a 2020 Article and OnePoll study on millennials and houseplants. And 67 percent of them identify as plant killers. (3)
The study also identified the primary concerns millennials have with plants. Top five are as follows:
Four out of five survey participants also believed that plant parenting had improved their ability to take care of themselves.
As more individuals work remotely and spend more time at home, it will be interesting to watch how the trend of millennial houseplant ownership develops.
Houseplant demand surged 18% during the Covid pandemic.
It’s not surprising that demand for everything has increased due to the Covid epidemic, even houseplants. Before COVID, plant parents, plantfluencers, design fads, and plant collectors set the houseplant craze in action.
In order to determine how the popularity of houseplants has impacted their plant sales figures, Garden Center magazine in the United States and Canada interviewed independent garden center managers and owners in 2021. (4)
Over 20% of houseplant sales in garden centers are now coming from indoor growing, an increase of 18% from the previous year. And there are no signs that this expansion will soon slow down.
The fact that two-thirds of nurseries in the U.S. raised their houseplant costs by more than 15% in 2020 and intend to do the same in 2021 is one of the most intriguing houseplant sales data.
% of American households own at least one houseplant.
American consumers’ ownership of plants has steadily increased since 2019 among consumers. According to statistics on indoor plants, 66% of Americans have at least one houseplant in their residences. (5)
Additionally, only 26% of consumers said they had no interest in purchasing a home plant.
The fact is that one of the most popular pastimes in the United States is indoor gardening. Approximately 27 percent (33.1 million) of American homes actively engage in indoor houseplant growing, according to the figures. (6)
Here are the top plant queries from our analysis of the most popular Google searches about indoor plants in the United States to help you better understand the popularity of houseplants. (7)
Only 15 minutes of interaction with houseplants reduces stress levels.
We are more linked to the internet than ever before, yet this increased connectivity also comes with a lot of stress (e.g. technostress and loneliness). Our failure to manage ever-evolving technologies in a healthy way results in technostress, a modern sickness. (8)
When you engage with houseplants, you can feel more at ease, at ease, and natural, according to a study that was published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology. (9)
One of the two tasks was carried out by study participants. Repotting a houseplant was the first assignment, and a quick computer task was the second. Researchers examined physiological and psychological stress indicators 15 minutes after each activity.
The analysis of the data revealed that through inhibiting the autonomic nervous system’s activity, indoor plants lowered psychological and physiological stress responses. The interaction with plants only made people feel more at ease, at ease, and natural after fifteen minutes.
Researchers came to the conclusion that engaging with indoor plants actively could lessen physical and mental stress. This implies that residing among plants can significantly improve our mental wellness.
Numerous other research have confirmed the benefits of indoor plants in reducing physiological stress and adverse psychological effects. (10, 11)
According to the most recent studies, indoor plants are one of the simplest and most efficient ways to lower stress levels in indoor settings, fueling the indoor plant craze.
People with more plants in their workspace take fewer sick days.
The impact on productivity is one of the statistics about indoor plants that is most intriguing. Numerous studies have found that having indoor plants in the office boosts focus and productivity by 15%.
According to research, green offices boost productivity more than lean interiors without any vegetation. In major commercial offices in the UK and the Netherlands, productivity levels were investigated and tracked by University of Exeter academics. (12)
Simply introducing plants to previously empty workplaces enhanced productivity by 15%, according to the study’s findings, which are in line with other laboratory studies.
In order to evaluate the psychological advantages of indoor plants in workplaces, another study was carried out in Norway. (13)
Researchers estimated the relationships between plants and a number of frequently researched workplace variables and stress, sick leave, and productivity using hierarchical regression models.
Researchers discovered a link between productivity and the quantity of plants visible.
An further intriguing study supports the idea that plants increase productivity.
A single plant significantly improved the performance of a creative assignment, according to a 2002 study. (14)
The plant closest to the participant’s position had the biggest impact, according to their investigation into the plants’ visibility and positioning.
This implies that having plants around your work environment, whether it be in the office or at home, has a significant favorable effect even if you aren’t a houseplant fanatic.
Houseplants remove up to 87% of airborne toxins in just 24 hours.
The ability of indoor plants to purify the air is probably one of the greatest quantifiable data concerning their advantages.
NASA (15) research from 1989 revealed that houseplant roots and soil considerably reduced airborne pollutants.
Finding a method to eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air would help a spacecraft’s air quality, which was the aim of the research.
The effectiveness of plants’ leaves, roots, soil, and related microbes in purifying the air was assessed in the study.
According to the research, the foliage of ordinary plants can reduce indoor pollutants like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide by up to 87 percent in just 24 hours.
The removal of several indoor air pollutants like ozone, toluene, and benzene by plants was further supported by studies. (16)
The NASA study has drawn a lot of criticism because it was carried out in airtight, controlled chambers and cannot be replicated in a typical office or home environment.
The air cleaning effect does, however, scale up to a building level, according to recent studies. (17) Researchers employed three planting regimens in 60 offices for a field investigation they carried out in 2006.
Researchers discovered that levels of airborne pollutants were reduced by 50–75% in every workspace, indicating that millennials’ rising fascination with plants may be good for the environment.
Together, the results show that indoor plants can reduce indoor air pollution in a sustainable, affordable manner while also enhancing productivity and well-being in people.
The top ten houseplant air cleaners listed below are the most efficient at removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air while still improving the quality of the air in homes and offices. (18)
- Palm areca
- female palm
- palm bamboo
- Rubber tree
- Dracaena
- British ivy
- Little date palm
- Ficus
- Brooklyn Fern
- Calm lily