Gardening Sweet Spots
By Donna Hessel
Plant nurseries have expanded their selections and houseplants are flying off the shelves. Some have been around for years, but what are indoor plant aficionados favoring for 2025?
Monstera – A Traditional Favorite is Leading the Pack
The National Garden Bureau, a non-profit garden marketing organization based in Illinois, predicts that “2025 will be The Year of the Monstera.” Monstera deliciosa is the classic, with statement foliage and easy care; but there are other varieties to explore. Look for starry variegation in ‘Thai Constellation;’ quick growth and fenestrations in Monstera adansonii; glossy, textured leaves in Monstera Peru and oversized, split foliage in Monstera esqueleto.
Low-Maintenance Plants and Orchids are Trending
Low-maintenance selections include snake plants (sanseveria), zz plants, monsteras, pothos, spider plants and English ivy. They’re low-water, hardy and tolerant of their environment.
Orchids – The most popular and widely available orchid is Phalaenopsis (Phals), or moth orchid. It prefers to be in an east or west window, out of direct sun. Temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees and relative humidity of 40-60 percent are ideal. The roots of these orchids should be watered well and allowed to dry slightly between watering. If you live nearby, the Cleveland Botanical Garden sponsors an orchid show through March 20 that showcases many types of orchids growing in their natural environments. They also host sessions with experts on growing different varieties, and plants are available to purchase in the gift shop. More information on the show is at HoldenFG.org.
Small plants in colorful pots are another trend; great to decorate shelves and small spaces, as well as for gift giving. More container selections, both practical and whimsical, are being offered, along with more house plants. Be sure to look for a drainage hole in the bottom before you purchase one.
Hoya Plants Are Making a Comeback
Somewhat ignored recently, Hoya plants are ready for a comeback. They are easy to care for and the many varieties have solid to variegated foliage, and blooms scented from floral to chocolate. Plants can trail or be trained up a trellis or pole.
Also popular are indoor citrus trees, such as lemon and fig trees. These can live outdoors in the summer and move in before the first frost. A container base with wheels facilitates transport. Also, keep an eye out for low-maintenance air plants and epiphytes in amazing varieties and readily available at plant nurseries.
Consider Incorporating a Wellness Corner
It’s common knowledge that plants purify the air and improve overall wellness and mood. If a well-lit area is available, try building a collection of houseplants to fill the space. Both plants and human inhabitants will benefit from it. Consider container color, size, texture, shape and plant arrangement to enure the collection enhances your décor and doesn’t look like a haphazard mishmash.
These Plants Are Losing Popularity Contests in 2025
Calatheas, alocasias and indoor cacti varieties are losing popularity
Plant parents are finding that some promoted house plants are not household-friendly due to their high humidity requirements and finicky natures. Variegated leaf calatheas and indoor varieties of alocasias (elephant ears) need higher humidity than is normal in homes. Succulents, recommended for “beginner” plant collectors, are falling out of favor due to their requirements for arid conditions and aversion to being overwatered. Climbing philodendrons (with no place to climb) quickly become a problem and fiddle leaf fig trees, once seen hovering in corners of every living room, are being discarded because they drop their leaves whenever there is a change in their environment. Indoor cacti need lots of light and arid soil, and are joining succulents in their disappearance from houseplant collections.
Houseplants Through History
Houseplants have always been a part of our lives and culture. Do you remember what plants were prevalent in your home in your childhood? What was the first indoor plant you acquired—perhaps for a windowsill in your college dorm room or first official workplace? Following are the most remembered plants from the 1920s to the 2020s.
- 1920s – Ferns and peace lilies were popular because they endured low-light conditions and their lush foliage complemented the sophisticated aesthetic of the Art Deco era.
- 1930s – Indoor ivy and pothos were inexpensive and grew in various lighting conditions.
- 1940s – Plants became statement pieces. Snake plants were popular because they were practical yet visually dramatic.
- 1950s – Sock hops, saddle shoes, colorful African violets and cacti assortments predominated. The desire to create a tropical escape gave rise to collections of bromeliads.
- 1960s – Psychedelic patterns and unique house plants such as split leaf philodendron and fiddle leaf figs dominated the era.
- 1970s – Spider plants and hoya plants in macramé hangers were popular in the disco era.
- 1980s – Colorful containers housed flamboyant flowers and tropical foliage plants… antherium, ficus, philodendron and fiddle leaf fern.
- 1990s – Dial-up internet, email addresses and minimalist interior design favored choices that included the ZZ plant, Chinese evergreens and ficus plants.
- 2000s – Everything got smaller, and miniature size plants in terrariums made a comeback from the ‘70s. The unique shapes and textures of mini succulents were popular.
- 2010s – A new generation embraced indoor gardening. The most popular plant was the Chinese money plant, due to its easy propagation and sharing among friends; string of pearls and unique varieties of pilea were also popular.
- 2020s – The global pandemic initiated the “plant parent” trend and demand for houseplants that encouraged calm, and a connection to nature became a need more than a want while populations lived, worked and played from home. Monstera, elephant ears and air plants were popular.
When I went to my library branch recently to pick up a book I had ordered, the first thing I saw inside the front door was a kiosk with an assortment of books on houseplants. The word has gotten around: houseplants are having a moment! Take advantage of their availability and associated sales to build your collection.
Article Resources:
Houseplants 2025 – cityfloralgreenhouse.com/2025/01/houseplant-trends-for-2025/#:~:text=In%20the%20houseplant%20category%2C%20National,having%20an%20even%20bigger%20moment.
Houseplants going out of style in 2025 – by Jenny Hughes – thespruce.com/houseplants-going-out-of-style-in-2025-8779835
Through the Decades – 100 Years of Houseplants – petittigardencenter.com/100-years-of-houseplants-the-most-popular-by-decade/
Orchids as Houseplants – by Sandy Vanno, Master Gardener, Warren County CCE – warren.cce.cornell.edu/gardening-landscape/warren-county-master-gardener-articles/orchids-as-houseplants
Top 10 Orchids for the Home – missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/visual-guides/top-10-orchids-for-the-home
Photos:
Monstera -pexels-5858235
Houseplants group-pexels-3076899
Hoya plant-pexels 9413992
Hoya flower-pexels-14958768
snakeplant-pexels-2922353
cactus in row-pexels 296255
Alocasia assortment image- https://www.wayfair.com/Florida-House-Plants–
Calathea varieties image- https://www.amazon.com/Calathea-Plants-Houseplants-Indoors-Pets/-
