Why Are Succulents Trendy

The fact that succulents are simple to grow is one of the entertaining reasons for their popularity. Simply clipping off leaves or branches and placing them in some soil will produce new plants. Cut and plant are just two easy procedures. The cut piece will eventually take root and grow into a new plant.

What makes succulents so wonderful?

Because they can uplift a space and a person’s mood and are even known to reduce indoor pollutants, houseplants are a popular addition to many houses. However, some indoor plants are better for you than others. Succulents are among the greatest indoor plants for the following six reasons:

1. They are tolerant of dry, enclosed environments.

2. They require little watering.

Unlike other houseplants, succulents can endure limited watering because to a special adaption. They do not require watering as regularly as other plants because of their ability to store water in their thick, fleshy leaves, stems, and larger roots. Even their name derives from this characteristic; “succulent” is a translation of the Latin word succulentus, which means “containing juice,” according to the Online Etymology Dictionary.

  • Your fingers will come out dry even if you bury them two knuckles deep in the ground.
  • The normally glossy leaves start to wilt.
  • The leaves shrink or pucker.

3. They don’t need a lot of fertilizer.

During the warmer months of the year, you only need to fertilize succulent plants three or four times overall. You can use only approximately half of the fertilizer you would normally spend on a standard houseplant because they don’t need as much feeding, which results in cost savings.

4. They resemble living works of art.

5. You may create indoor gardens with them.

  • same growth rates
  • similar watering requirements
  • like what the sun requires Don’t combine two succulents that require full sunshine with those that prefer partial shade, for example.

6. They will look good in your house.

Why do young people prefer succulents?

Due to millennials’ worldwide desire for the plants, there has been an increase in theft and smuggling.

At the weekend, when I casually scrolled through Instagram stories, I was shocked to witness a crime being committed. Home CCTV footage of a man stealing my friend’s cactus cut short my routine frenzy of macha lattes and kid boomerangs. The cactus appeared to be flourishing when it was placed in a doorway in Clapham, south London—at least, it did until the thief swiftly snatched it out of its container. The bad guy understood what he was going for, therefore it was obvious that this was a targeted attack.

He may have been a part of a global criminal wave, it turns out. This week, two South Korean men in Cape Town were convicted guilty of smuggling 60,000 miniature succulents from South Africa and Namibia and were sentenced to significant fines and suspended jail terms. This conviction was the fourth of its kind in recent months.

It appears that millennials’ desire for decorative green houseplant “pets” has peaked. Succulent lunacy is well on its way to defining our own horticultural age, echoing the boom-and-bust calamity of tulip fever in 17th-century Holland.

Since it took this long, I must admit that I’m astonished. As a “millennial gardener” myself, I’ve seen the succulent fever develop over the past ten years (in a way that most succulents exposed to British temperatures and light levels rarely will). After beginning in 2013, crassulas, kalanchoes, and echeverias soon filled store shelves and were frequently dusted with glitter. These days, it’s almost impossible to get a coffee without having to consider the impending demise of the grossly overwatered haworthia in the center of the table.

Succulents and indoor plants are dear to millennials because they provide a concrete means of interacting with nature.

The important thing to understand about houseplant crazes is that they are cyclical, much like many other things we place in our homes. When my mother first did it in the 1970s, having little cacti and succulents in your room and hanging them up in macrame hangers was all the rage. Before that, the 1930s Hollywood celebrities who relocated to Palm Springs were fond of cacti. Since then, cactus rustling has been a concern, which is why the anti-plant trafficking Lacey Act was introduced in 1981. Not that it made much of a difference: by 2018, so many tall saguaros in Arizona were being uprooted at night that park rangers had to microchip their cactus.

For the staff at London’s Kew Gardens, who nurture three plants of each type before placing any on show, this is all depressingly familiar ground. An impossible-to-find small water lily was stolen from the glasshouses in 2014, and even a visit to Crimewatch couldn’t save it.

Not that our obsession with plants necessarily leads to crime. Frequently, it is only a dangerous activity. A few young Victorian women perished while searching for a rare species of fern, much like the unlucky individuals who plunge to their lives from cliffs while trying to take the perfect selfie. Teenage girls’ pteridomania, often known as “fern fever, was a common passion in the middle of the 19th century. The rituals involved searching the countryside with a trowel and an identification book before pressing their find with a coffee-table book. Rare plants were routinely uprooted from the ground, which always had an adverse effect on the local species.

The terrible part is that these crazes typically have excellent intentions hidden behind them. Because they provide a physical connection to nature that is lacking in a society that is becoming more and more reliant on screens, millennials are drawn to succulents and other houseplants. For the first time in generations, society had permitted those young Victorian women to venture outside and interact crudely with nature. Both groups had to put up with dwindling gardens and unreliable leased housing; in other words, they both really needed the quiet delight of seeing green leaves spread out all about them.

Humans are hard-wired to respond to nature, just like all other species. In Shetland, “green prescriptions” are given to those with mental-health disorders because it has been demonstrated that exposure to the outside world is so beneficial. Cactus crime frequently starts with a basic, understandable yearning for some greenery.

Succulents: are they in style?

Succulents—are they in style? Have they ever been in style at one time or another? These are the inquiries that came to me as soon as I started noticing these plants everywhere. You see them being used in wreaths, hanging from wall art, jewelry, bridal flower arrangements, party favors, and other settings where you wouldn’t typically expect actual plants to be. I have perhaps the least credibility when discussing trends. I have two young children and am terribly out of touch with current fashion. I’m probably just as uncool and unhip as the typical grandma. But one thing I did notice—and my study backs it up—is that these plants are considered trendy because they are well-liked not only by individuals who resemble me—grandma-ish—but also by the younger, hipper set. According to what I’ve read, some species of succulents became increasingly fashionable and well-liked in the 1970s. Like anything that was in style, their popularity waned and they were largely forgotten. It appears that the trend has returned at this time. As I really don’t have the authority to comment on popular subjects, I’m just happy that these plants are once again in demand and widely available. This is wonderful news for me as a tiny collector because it makes it simpler for most individuals to have inexpensive access to these plants.

A fad, succulents?

One of my favorite seminars I took at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale had nothing to do with plants. Personal Finance 101 was covered. Some of the best advise I’ve ever heard in a classroom was provided by the professor, Dr. Ted Pilger, over the course of a full semester. from picking a retirement strategy to learning how to purchase an automobile. One of the most remembered remarks was in reference to his car price haggling. “I’ll know I’m progressing when they stop calling me sir,” he added.

The horticulture students presented Dr. Pilger with a container of succulents and cacti as a token of their appreciation for his lectures. “Thank heavens something I don’t have to water,” he quickly said.

If only we had known back then how succulents would take over the garden center industry. Since 2007, the appeal of this collection of plants has increased. Succulent sales in Midwest garden centers amounted for 15% of total sales, according to a 2017 poll by Garden Center Magazine. For 2019, that number has unquestionably increased.

There are succulents everywhere! They are available in supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and even clothes stores. Succulents don’t require much watering, at least not frequently, which is one of the many reasons these plants have gained popularity.

A plant known as a succulent has thick, fleshy leaves or stems that are suited to hold water. Consequently, the term “succulent” is quite general and can refer to a variety of plants. You might be familiar with hens and chicks, jade plants, aloe plants, Christmas cacti, and other typical succulent plants.

Succulents thrive in neglect and dry soil, according to Candice Hart, an Illinois Master Gardener Specialist. A succulent can be easily killed by overwatering.

It turns out that succulents are perennial. Both baby boomers and millennials adore these plump and charming indoor or outdoor plants! However, many professionals in the sector assert that millennials are fueling the market for succulents.

The Great Recession may have sparked the appeal of succulents. Although some people whose job it is to think about the home garden market agree that this is an odd market driver, During the recession, many millennials found it difficult to make ends meet when they first entered or tried to enter the job market. They frequently had to return to living with their parents or friends. Succulents are reasonably priced and require little maintenance, in contrast to certain pricey home decor. For newly independent young adults, succulents were a terrific way to transform a house, apartment, or basement room into a home.

Millennials were early adopters of social media, so they started posting photos of their brand-new houseplants online. Succulents are fortunately gorgeous to photograph. Succulents can be used to decorate homes, according to posts on Pinterest. Succulent-focused Instagram profiles have begun to appear. The trend for succulents started online and has now grown to include succulents in every store and household.

Good Growing Tip of the Week: Succulents grow best in windows that face the south or west when grown inside. Many succulents will thrive in the presence of supplemental incandescent or fluorescent lights if the proper lighting conditions are not present.

Why are Millennials now so enamored with houseplants?

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.

Also known as the “wellness generation,” the millennial generation aligns nicely with the health ideologies of houseplants. 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.

Why do succulents cost so much?

A succulent’s scarcity, maintenance expenses, therapeutic benefits, and aesthetic value are some of the elements that might make it pricey.

Rarity of Succulent

A very rare succulent will cost a lot of money to buy. There is limited rivalry among vendors because there are few stores in the USA that sell succulents. A succulent can be sold for a greater price and still make money if it is in short supply.

High maintenance cost

Succulents can occasionally take a very long time to grow. The more money and energy spent on a plant, the longer it takes for it to flourish. The plant may also require further feeding and pruning. The price of the succulent may increase as a result of these reasons.

Aesthetic Value of The Succulent

A succulent could cost more if it has a wonderful appearance that can improve the aesthetic of a space. These hardy plants are excellent for use as décor because they can be eye-catching and lovely. A succulent may fetch a greater price in the market if it is in demand because of its aesthetic value due to increased demand.

Medicinal importance

Succulent varieties with medical potential include salo, yucca, and aloe vera. Yucca has particular phytonutrients that can be helpful in alleviating arthritic pain and inflammation. Additionally, digestive system inflammation can be treated with aloe vera.

Because plants help speed up the healing of wounds and treat eczema, succulents are frequently found in hospitals. Succulents have been used to treat a number of medical conditions, including coughing.

Why are plants so fashionable?

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.