100 Years of Houseplants

In the age of The Great Gatsby, using indoor plants to create an air of artful elegance became popular. Commercial production of houseplants began in California during this “roaring” decade, though it was minimal. Because only half of American households had access to electricity by 1925, it was necessary to focus on plants that would thrive in low-to-medium light conditions. Ferns and peace lilies were a must, given their easy, lower light requirements and their lush foliage that perfectly complemented the sophisticated aesthetic of the Art Deco era.

Ferns | Medium to Bright Indirect Light

Peace Lilies | Low Light to Medium Indirect Light

Swinging into the post-World War II timeframe, plants weren’t just used as living décor – they became statement pieces, particularly to enhance appearance in newly built suburban houses. People were moving from cramped city apartments to larger homes in the ‘burbs, and they had more space to incorporate plants into living areas. Plants were also starting to be seen as a way to improve wellbeing in the home – creating an environment that would reduce stress and bring a sense of calm. Trends shifted to practical, yet visually dramatic, options like snake plants (Sansevieria spp.) that could create a strong visual and still easily be grown anywhere indoors. Their under-demanding nature and ability to thrive in anything from a tin can to a clay pot made them a must-have in the home or office.

Snake Plants | Low Light to Medium Indirect Light

Loud colors and psychedelic patterns paved the way for unique houseplant collections as a stylistic form of expression. Those with a penchant for the bold, exotic décor favored placing in large windows and open spaces the striking foliage of Philodendrons, especially plants of the split-leaf Swiss Cheese Plant variety, and the unique shape of fiddle leaf figs. But it wasn’t just one or two plants here or there; bringing the full, all-encompassing feel of the tropics indoors was the goal – think Elvis’s iconic “Jungle Room”.

Philodendrons | Medium to Bright Indirect Light

Fiddle Leaf Fig | Medium to Bright Indirect Light

Preppy pastels, Pop, and Punk totally paved the way for ‘80s excesses, which included radical houseplant varieties with flamboyant flowers and tropical foliage. Flashy flamingo flowers (Anthurium spp.) coupled with the bold, sleek foliage of rubber plants (Ficus spp.) were definitely reminiscent of an episode of “Miami Vice”. During the 1980s, plant owners often displayed their vibrant plants in equally colorful pots to maximize the bright, decorative appeal.

Anthurium | Medium to Bright Indirect Light

Ficus | Medium to Bright Indirect Light

Everything got smaller in the Aughts! From tech to toys to plants, the new millennium ushered in a shift in style, blending traditional and contemporary elements. Pocket-sized cellphones and smaller, portable MP3 players became the norm. Miniature, rubberized dolls like Disney Princess Polly Pocket Dolls were sold at every retailer checkout, including the grocery. And the desire for smaller, even miniature-sized plants staged in decorative terrariums and “bottle gardens” made a comeback from their moment in the ’70s. The unique shapes and textures of mini succulents were of particular interest, beloved for their decorative appeal and ability to thrive on minimal care (bright light and infrequent watering). Even better, people with busy lifestyles or lack of plant care experience could easily succeed with these gateway houseplants.

Succulents | Full Sun

Pictured: a colorful assortment of Echeveria, Jade Plant (Crassula spp.), and Zebra Cactus (Haworthia spp.).

In a decade that began with the onset of a global pandemic, the demand for houseplants exploded with the “plant parent” trend. Crafting a lifestyle that encouraged calm and demonstrated connection to nature became widely recognized as a need more than a want, while the world lived, worked, played, and studied almost exclusively from home. Big and bold-leaf Monstera and Elephant’s Ears (Alocasia spp.) became iconic, along with the grow anywhere Air Plants (Tillandsia spp).

Monstera | Low to Medium Light

Alocasia | Medium to Bright Indirect Light

Air Plants | Medium to Bright Indirect Light