Houseplants are popular. Really popular. People who only grew solo cup marigolds in kindergarten are obsessed with indoor plants. COVID. The pandemic kept us from staying at home and taking care of our houseplants kept us sane.
Their popularity shows no signs of waning. “I haven’t seen anything like it since the 1970s. This could even beat it,” says Justin Hancock, a horticulturalist at Costa Farms, the world’s largest houseplant producer. increase.
As plant parents master the basics, plant shape, size, and color preferences expand. Here are his 6 trends we’re aiming for in 2023:
delicious monstera
1. Large leaves
Eye-popping, leaves staring at me are having a moment. Starting with a cheese factory in Switzerland, delicious monsteraPeople are looking for bigger, more dramatic plants and are finding them in bananas (Musa), fiddle leaf figs (lilata fig), and split-leaf philodendrons (thaumatophilum). They make a statement in any room.
Tips: Large plants need large pots, and large pots are heavy. Hancock recommends setting it on rollers. Not only is it easier to move, but raising the pan off the floor improves airflow. When moving large plants with wide branches, “wrap them in a sheet or blanket like a sleeve,” he says. “Then you can safely trap the branch.”
Chameleon ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
2. Golden Foliage
Colorful leaves are always in demand. White, pink, and silver led the way for a while, but the gold leaf plants caught up. Golden Goddess Philodendron, Neon Pothos, Chameleon ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) Adds a warm glow to a dim space.
Tips: Dusty and dirty leaves look dull and interfere with photosynthesis as the plant absorbs sunlight through the leaves. Brush the leaves of houseplants regularly with a microfiber cloth. If the leaves are dirty, gently wipe them with a damp paper towel (do not use soap).
Schismatoglottis wallichii
3. Variegated plants
Variegated leaves (leaves that feature more than one color) are hot, such as striped, splashed, and speckled. The variegation is mostly white, but cream, pink, and silver are also available. Schismatoglottis wallichii The green shield has sagittal lobes marked with silver.cool beauty Dieffenbachia It has a cream center and white edges.silver dragon Alocasia A collector’s (that is, rare) plant with leaves that are more silver than green.
Tips: Bright light keeps most variegated plants looking their best. Without it, the variegation may disappear on older leaves or become less vibrant with new growth. For less bright spots, supplement with LED lamps or other artificial light sources.
Snake Plant (sansevieria trifasciata).
4. “Beginner” plants
Many people want houseplants, but lack of knowledge and fear of killing them are holding them back. Starting with beautiful but tolerant plants that can take too much attention is what gives beginners the confidence to grow an indoor garden.aglaonema)snake plant (sansevieria) and pothos are always in trend.
Tips: Overwatering is the number one cause of death for houseplants. Don’t put the watering can out just because the surface of the soil is dry. Use a moisture meter or do it the old-fashioned way. Stick your finger into the soil. If it’s wet a few inches below, wait. Please check back in a day or so.
5. Sustainability
Houseplant parents are looking for ways to garden responsibly and keep their ecological footprint small. Suppliers are encouraged to use less harmful pest control methods, such as using coconut he coir instead of peat moss in potting mixes, or releasing beneficial insects rather than spraying pesticides, for example. We meet that demand.
Tips: You can do some of the same things that big growers do at home. to prevent insects, washing plants in the sink or shower to get rid of insects, and avoiding peat in potting mixes.
6. White pot
By definition, classics never go out of style. Therefore, white containers continue to be in demand. “They make the plants look beautiful, so it makes sense,” says Hancock. “We are also starting to see more of the 90s influence, perhaps because children who grew up in the 90s are moving into their own space for the first time and relying on cues from childhood: bright, vibrant colors. Geometry. scientific shape; etc.”
Tips: For plants that are grouped together, keeping the pots all the same color or style (rustic, geometric, etc.) creates a unified look and lets the plants themselves take center stage.