Before the pandemic hit, two-thirds of Americans owned at least one houseplant. But by the end of 2020, the trend had skyrocketed. Millions of posts on TikTok and Instagram were tagged with #PlantsMakePeopleHappy, #PlantMom, and just plain #Plants. While stuck indoors, many people also bought plants to improve their home’s air quality. (This popular misconception has been debunked by several scientific studies.)
None of this surprised Mignon Hemsley and Danuelle Doswell, co-owners of Grounded, a plant subscription service based in Washington, D.C. “Consumers wanted to take up something to relieve the stresses of being on lockdown,” says Hemsley.
Our obsession with houseplants has historical roots. In the 1700s, Europeans collected citrus trees and fragrant flowers to show off their wealth. In the 1800s, the invention of glass terrariums led to a fad of buying tropical plants, orchids, and ferns. By the time the 20th century rolled around, spiky cactuses and chic succulents were the coolest houseplants around.
What’s today’s trend? Thanks to #Plantfluencer culture, the weirder and rarer the better. Think neon-streaked pothos, spindly air plants, and even roly-poly moss balls!
If this has you thinking about picking up your own pet pothos or peace lily, Hemsley and Doswell hope you will. “Plants are a great way for kids to learn how to care for something and feel a sense of empowerment and creativity in watching them grow,” says Doswell.