Like any industry, trends in gardening are continuously evolving. This includes the realm of houseplants, where some interesting changes are emerging in 2024.
Some trends are reactions to previously popular themes, including a focus on minimalism and smaller houseplants. Others are continuations of the trends of previous years, like bright colors, statement trees, and a focus on sustainability.
If you want to get ahead of the times in 2024 and bring your garden up to date, try these seven beautiful houseplant trends.
Sustainability
Opt for sustainably sourced products and prioritize local plants and growers for a more eco-friendly indoor garden.
Commitment to sustainability has risen for several years, showing no signs of slowing down. Environmental concern has swept every industry, including gardening, and will continue to influence houseplant trends for 2024.
Although caring for plants seems like an inherently environmentally friendly activity, we can make our indoor gardens more sustainable in several ways. Sourcing is the place to start, choosing sustainably sourced and produced products. Also, choose items that can be used repeatedly without quality loss, like fabric or terracotta, over plastic pots.
When it comes to the plants themselves, stick local. Propagate your own plants to expand your collection, or ask friends and family for cuttings of new plants to grow. If buying new plants, look for local growers over larger companies with massive greenhouses and higher resource usage.
There are several other indoor garden areas where you can practice sustainability, from water usage to potting soil choice. Keep these in mind this year, as this trend will only continue to grow.
Less Is More
Post-indoor jungle trend, 2024 leans towards a minimalist approach for impactful, well-placed statement plants.
The indoor jungle aesthetic took over just a few years after the houseplant boom. Once you purchased one houseplant, a quickly growing collection and a home full of greenery were almost inevitable. However, as is often the case with houseplant trends, we’re heading in a new direction in 2024.
Now, the approach is more minimalist. Caring for an indoor jungle is hard work and often leads to the demise of a few leafy friends. A house packed with plants can also take away from the unique characteristics of each one, almost distracting from their beauty. Houseplant lovers are increasingly adopting a ‘less is more’ attitude, keeping a few of their favorites and ensuring they always look their best.
I would pick a few statement plants with as much impact as several smaller ones to jump into this trend. Also, choose placement carefully to maximize impact while giving the plant the ideal conditions to thrive.
Tiny Plants
Tiny plants are the latest houseplant trend, embracing simplicity, easy care, and adorable charm.
In keeping with the ‘less is more’ theme, tiny plants are the next big thing in houseplant trends. This follows from the large leaf trend of previous years, where favorites like Monstera deliciosa and Ficus lyrata reigned supreme. This year, the smaller your plants, the better.
Tiny houseplants don’t only have the benefit of being adorable. They are also easy to place around the home, adding a pop of greenery to any spots lacking color. Care is much simpler, particularly when watering, as a quick soak under a tap is enough to keep them happy.
Look out for these popular options to grow this year:
- African Violets
- String of Pearls
- Chinese Money Plant
- Lithops
- Peperomia
Terrariums
Infused with a creative twist, terrariums are making a stylish comeback in the upcoming year, combining artistry and greenery.
A terrarium is an ideal on-trend option if you’re looking for somewhere to put your new tiny plants. Terrariums have always been popular in indoor gardens, but they are making a big comeback in 2024 with a slight twist.
Terrariums are typically closed environments. The enclosed space traps moisture and humidity to create the perfect conditions for tropical plants. But there is an added level of artistry, with each new terrarium a creative expression and unique indoor feature. They often look like tiny landscapes, combining elements like stone and decoration along with the plants for added whimsy.
This trend is exciting to play with and ideal for arty houseplant owners. Choose a decorative glass and fill it with your favorite elements to create a terrarium completely unique to you. And as an added tip, if you’re struggling with decorations, aquarium decorations are often a great fit.
Kokedama
Kokedama, a Japanese art form, is returning stylishly in 2024.
Kokedama is certainly not a new practice. It has been around for centuries, originating in Japan and linked to the art of bonsai. But continuing with the living art trend, kokedama balls are seeing increased interest this year. The name translates to ‘moss ball’ in English, describing the construction of these eye-catching hanging ornaments.
Despite their intricate look, they are not at all difficult to make. And while you can purchase plants grown this way, you can be far more creative when making your own. All you need is a suitable soil mix (typically a combination of clay and peat), twine to keep the ball together, and your chosen plants with some moss for coverage.
Since kokedama are made with dense clay soil, choosing plants that will be happy in this environment is important. Avoid succulents or any plants that cannot stand excess moisture. Many popular tropical houseplants, such as spider plants or peace lilies, are suitable. I’ve used Chinese money plants and bird’s nest ferns, and they grow happily when hanging inside a moss ball.
To make your kokedama, mix your soil and add water to moisten it (this mix is known as akadama). Remove the soil around the roots of your plants and mold the soil around the roots or make a hole in the center. Press moss around the soil and use twine to hold it in place before hanging. When it’s time to water, mist or soak the moss ball.
Vibrant Color
This year, vibrant colors take center stage in gardening trends.
Next on the list is a trend continuing from previous years. Jungle green is no longer the focus – this year, we’re choosing bright colors and stand-out variegation.
The Garden Media Group Color of the Year is Cyber Lime, a bright green that looks almost neon. This color is easy to find in houseplants, with choices like Philodendron ‘Lemon Lime’ or Pothos ‘Neon.’ It also adds a bright contrast to deeper green plants, ideal for placing next to each other in a display.
If you want to step away from green altogether, growers have you covered. Add some Barbiecore inspiration with pink cultivars like Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ and Syngonium ‘Pink Allusion’ or classics like anthuriums or calatheas. For a fiery, bright touch, croton is the perfect option. Flowering houseplants also offer pops of color, like kalanchoe or African violets.
Statement Trees
Opt for statement trees in 2024, like the enduring fiddle leaf fig or rubber tree.
The final trend is another continuation from 2023 – statement trees. To contrast with your tiny plants, pick one or two indoor trees to fill empty corners and make a massive impact. A floor-to-ceiling potted tree adds a touch of nature that’s tough to replicate with smaller plants and is much easier to care for.
The classic indoor tree option is the fiddle leaf fig, which has maintained popularity for several years. These trees have a reputation for being fussy and dropping leaves, so placing them in the right environment is important if you want to keep them alive long-term.
Other members of the Ficus genus are also suitable for indoor growth, such as weeping figs or rubber trees. The rubber tree, in particular, is much less fussy than its relatives, making it more suitable for beginners. Indoor citrus is another option if you have enough sun indoors.
Final Thoughts
These houseplant trends are easy to jump in on, taking your indoor garden to the next level in 2024.
