I came across this blog about trendy houseplants the other day and couldn’t help but wonder: Really? Houseplants . . . ? Trendy? The idea intrigued me a little. I’ve never given much thought to houseplants, other than that they’re pretty and offer a welcome touch of green. (Plus, I have to acknowledge that I don’t necessarily have the best track record when it comes to keeping them alive!) Oh, and I also know that certain plants can help clear indoor air of toxins.
But apparently certain varieties of houseplant are actually trending now. Here’s why:
Dracaena Janet Craig (aka “Corn Plant”)
According to Joyce Mast at Bloomscape, “The Dracaena Janet Craig is incredibly easy to care for and will adapt to nearly all light conditions. The biggest tip [we have] for keeping this plant healthy is to not overwater it.” As an added bonus, NASA cites this plant for its ability to remove harmful chemicals from the air.
Ficus Audrey Tree
With its beautiful white trunk and velvety green leaves, the Ficus Audrey is the “it” tree of 2019, according to Greenery NYC’s Rebecca Bullene. Just know that it can be a little finicky, so follow these tips from GardeningKnowHow.com for its care.
Pilea Peperomioides (aka the “friendship plant” or “Chinese money plant”)
Popular for a while now, this plant with the coin-shaped leaves does best in dappled sunlight, says Erin Marino from The Sill. It’s also considered to be one of several plants that are pet-friendly. Find tips for caring for this much-sought-after plant here.
Zamia Furfuracea (aka “cardboard palm”)
Rebecca Bullene predicts, “Expect to see this in the hippest shops and cafes and gracing the desks of designers and trendsetters this year.” This hard-to-kill bush (not a palm tree, despite its name) can be grown as a houseplant and loves lots of light. Just be warned: All parts of it are highly toxic, so be sure to keep it away from pets.
Succulents
Did you know that the term “succulent” includes a wide variety of plants, in fact many that are not related to one another? Erin Marino says, “Botanically speaking, the term succulent refers to any plant that has evolved adaptations to survive hot arid environments.” For a unique look that requires very little care, try grouping several different succulents together in a sunny spot of your home.
Check out these ideas from BalconyGardenWeb.com for creating your own beautiful plant wall to mix and match as you please!
What houseplants do you love most and why? Please share with other readers in the comments below. Resources:
I love aloe vera because I’m a clumsy cook. 🙂
We have made, spider plants, and aloe, as well as some “tropical foliage” we received as gifts. I grew up in a house filled with plants, and I am always looking for new ideas!
I call the friendship plant a pass-along plant since it grows baby plants that can be carefully removed from the main plant and shared.
That’s good to know, thanks Robyn! Pass-along plants are a win-win!
I’ll definitely be looking in to more house plants…especially because it’ll be winter before we know it and all be stuck indoors
I know Fiddle Figs were all the rage last year but I still think they are pretty. Succulents are always a fun one.
I’m more looking for houseplants that I can grow from throw aways, such as I planted organic lemon seeds and got lemon trees…eventually they will bear fruit. I planted pieces of ginger root that were old and sprouting and I have a half dozen ginger plants growing. Eventually I will be able to dig them up and use those roots. I also got a “living lettuce plant” at the co-op, with roots and I planted it in hopes of having fresh butter lettuce year round without having to buy more.
I am also always looking for new trees for my yard.
Great article.