There's no doubt that houseplants are having a moment. Everywhere you look, there are stylish pots filled with lush foliage gracing shelves and tabletops. You can also read on oregano plant size or how to propagate aloe vera cuttingfor home on our blog!
But why are plants suddenly so popular?
Main Houseplants Statistics And Trends
In order to answer this question, we undertook an analysis of houseplant search trends and compiled statistics from various sources. Previously, we have compiled data on the breakfast in USA
- Sales for houseplants peaked by 15% during the pandemic.
- Having houseplants in your working space increases your productivity by up to 12%.
- People over the age of 55 make up the majority of plant parents.
- Two-thirds of millennials say house plants are more challenging than they anticipated.
- Gardeners mostly rely on social media and Google to learn about gardening.
In 2023, Google searches for houseplants dropped 22% from 2022
Search queries related to houseplants peaked in May 2020. (Google Search Trends)
However, compared to last year, Google searches dropped and it seems like the trend continues downwards in the years to come.
This can be attributed to a number of factors, including the pandemic, when people were forced to work from and spend time inside their homes.
They began to look for ways to liven up their living spaces which is evident from the home remodeling statistics. Moreover, indoor gardening provided a way for people to add a bit of nature to their homes, and it also gave them a new hobby to pass the time.
Interestingly enough, the interest started declining as the COVID restriction started easing up in 2021. The Google searches for indoor plants decreased by 25% despite the onset of the growing season.
There could be various reasons for this drop:
- People had less time to tend to plants as offices opened up and they didn’t have to work from home.
- They were able to go out, socialize, and engage in other hobbies that require social interaction.
- Maybe they find houseplants too huge a responsibility.
The decline in interest for house plants is ongoing, and it isn't expected to improve even in 2023.
In 2023, garden centers have seen more than 20% of houseplant sales thanks to indoor plants compared to last year
While the pandemic has been tough on many businesses, the indoor plant industry has been one of the few bright spots.
Two-thirds (66%) of nurseries reported an increase in 2021 sales over pre-pandemic levels, with many seeing a 20% rise specifically when COVID restrictions hit them hardest – which is why it's not surprising to see prices increasing by 15%. (Source: Garden Center magazine)
As of this year, indoor houseplants played a huge role in sales contributing to more than 20% of houseplant sales!
If you want to read about home remodeling trends 2023, we got that covered as well!
8 out of 10 patients reported a decrease in anxiety after spending time with plants.
In a study conducted at San Francisco Hospitals, 80% of patients said that they felt refreshed, relaxed, and positive shift in mood after spending time with plants. (Source: National Recreation and Park Association)
That is because, mycobacterium vaccae, a bacterium in plant soil, stimulates the release of serotonin which is linked to alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Succulents, topiary plants , creeping fig indoors and flowering plants are the most commonly purchased indoor plants.
18.3 million Americans picked up gardening while WFH
During the pandemic up to 40% of new people experimented with gardening and 82% had a positive experience. (Source: Axiom)
With all that free time at their disposal, people are taking up gardening in droves. And it makes sense – after all, what could be more soothing than spending time in nature, surrounded by the beauty of blooming flowers and thriving plants?
Not to mention, gardening can be a great way to get some exercise and fresh air. Hence, making gardening the perfect antidote to the stresses of working from home.
36% of gardeners in USA are above the age of 55
We conducted a survey to study the correlation between age and interest in gardening. Almost 500 individuals aged between 18 and above participated in our survey.
Here are the results from the survey: *insert bar chart*
As you can see from the below bar chart (Floral Marketing Fund) that there is a positive correlation between the age and likeability to start gardening:
- Gardening is most popular among adults aged 55 and older. This age group makes up 36% of all gardeners in the United States.
- The second most popular age group is adults aged 45 to 54, which comprises 30% of all gardeners,
- Adults aged 25 to 44 make up the third most popular group or comprise 24% of all gardeners in the USA.
- Interestingly, the study found that gardening is least popular among adults aged 18 to 24. This age group makes up just 10% of all gardeners in the United States.
The data indicate that gardening is an activity that is enjoyed most by those in mid-life and beyond. This is likely because gardening requires patience and a willingness to work slowly and methodically, qualities that tend to accumulate with age.
Flowering plants are the most commonly purchased houseplants
Why do we love flowering plants so much? Besides adding beauty and fragrance to your home, these plants have a calming vibe that helps to soothe your worries away when you're feeling stressed or anxious.
According to the Foral Marketing Fund, 41% of gardeners rated floral plants as their favorite indoor plants.
Here are some other top-rated plants:
- Flowering plants (41%)
- Broad-leaf plants like Monstera (35%)
- Succulents (35%)
- Ferns (27%)
- Narrow-leaf plants like spider plant (25%)
- Indoor Palms (24%)
- Cacti (18%)
Since the common denominator among the top 3 is that they are all low-maintenance, so it is safe to say that Americans prefer easy-to-care-for plants, unlike lambs ear care or Amazonian elephant ear.
Two-thirds of novice gardeners now turn to social media for any gardening query
This is likely due to the fact that social media provides instant access to a wealth of information and advice from experienced gardeners.
The rise of social media has helped to create a community of gardeners who can offer instant support and advice to one another.
When asked, “what is their go-to source for any gardening advice?”, most respondents said Youtube and Google. A quick overview of the results of our survey:
- Youtube (30%)
- Google (24%)
- Social Media (18%)
- Apps (14%)
- Hit and trial (9%)
- Workshops (5%)
67% of millennials say caring for houseplants is more challenging than anticipated
Most millennials view plants as a huge responsibility and would rather not have them in their homes. (Source: OnePoll)
This is surprising, given that millennials are seemingly the new plant enthusiasts. They are constantly posting pictures of their latest succulent on Instagram or bragging about how they finally were able to keep a fiddle leaf fig alive for more than two weeks.
So why the change of heart?
We conducted a survey where we asked 100 millennials aged between 22-35, what was the biggest challenge they experienced when taking care of plants.
Here are the results:
- Providing enough sunlight
- Over-watering or drying them to death
- Finding someone to water them when away
- Lack of appropriate space to keep plants i.e. small apartments, or not enough sunlight.
- Having little knowledge or information about gorgeous flower gardens.
- Busy lifestyle or lack of time
- Plants cost a lot… given their track record of struggling to keep plants alive, most millennials are reluctant to spend money on more plants.
54% of people believe that houseplants make their home more attractive
In a world that is increasingly digital and fast-paced, many people yearn for a slower, more organic way of life. Indoor plants provide a perfect opportunity to disconnect from technology and reconnect with the natural world.
In the survey, we asked people, what motivated them to add plants to their living space. The results were varied, but the most common response was the desire to create a beautiful and cozy living space.
There is an article on the difference between cactus and succulents on our blog. You can also read that for better understanding.
Here are some other common responses:
- Plants contributed to the overall aesthetics of the home
- Plants remove airborne toxins and improve air quality
- Plants are trendy (social media posts/Plant-Influencers)
- They find solace in the slow, deliberate process of caring for plants
- House plants bring them closer to nature
- Plants help them relax, thus improving productivity
- They wanted to adopt a healthy habit
What hobbies are linked to gardening?
We asked our readers to name a few of their hobbies other than gardening and here are their responses:
- Cooking
- Outdoor activities.. Camping, Hiking, and Running
- Flower arranging
- Mushroom picking
- Woodwork
- Photography
- Fostering rescue animals
These hobbies call for patience, attention to detail, persistence, a strong sense of responsibility, and creativity, which are all virtues we learn from gardening.
Future trends for indoor gardening
The popularity of houseplants has increased over the past few years. As we become increasingly aware of the importance of plants for our health and well-being, many of us are looking for ways to incorporate them into our homes. But what will be the next big trend in houseplants?
- One possibility is that more people will start growing edible plants indoors (Check out Vegetable Gardening statistics to know what we are talking about!). With the popularity of farm-to-table dining and interest in sustainable living, there is a growing demand for fresh, locally-grown produce. By growing your own herbs and vegetables indoors, you can have access to fresh, organic produce year-round. Not to mention, it can be a fun and rewarding experience to watch your plants grow and then enjoy the fruits (or vegetables) of your labor.
- Another trend that is likely to continue is the popularity of succulents and cacti. These drought-tolerant plants are perfect for people who don't have a lot of time or space for gardening. They are also low-maintenance and require very little water, making them ideal for busy urbanites.
- Another trend that is gaining popularity is plants that help purify the air. These include peace lilies, snake plants, and Philodendrons. These plants can remove toxins from the air, making them ideal for homes with pets or smokers.
Overview of houseplant gardening statistics
In short, houseplants are becoming the new favorite pet due to their air-purifying properties and the character they add to indoor spaces. This is especially evident in cities and urban areas where people do not have enough access to natural beauty.
We hope that you have enjoyed reading these surprising and interesting statistics on indoor plants. To read more statistics, head over to our breakfast statistic page or see get to know more about the cooking trends of Americans.
For other gardening tips, read more on Cup and Saucer Vine, False Indigo Winter, Heather Flowering Shrub, Full Frown Pink Dogwood Tree, growing Peruvian Lilies , When to pick Zucchini, Planting Sweet potatoes in pots, Silver Dust plant care, Shasta Daisy Becky, Black Lace Elderberry edible or not, Can you plant Chia seeds, How fast do Blue Spruce grow, Godetia flower, How big do Lychee trees grow, How deep to plant Morning Glory seeds, How to grow Oriental Poppies, Pipe it up Vines, Can you grow Red Salvias in pots, How to germinate Strawberry seeds, Strawberry Begonia propagation and Bayberry Hedge, root bound plants and root pruning on our site.
