The Top Houseplant Trends for 2021

If we were to seek out a fortune teller to predict which plants we'd be coveting in the year ahead, we would go no further than Joyce Mast, the plant prognosticator also known as Bloomscape's "Plant Mom."

With over 40 years in the plant and flower business, and as curator and plant advice columnist for Bloomscape, a greenhouse-to-consumer online plant shop, Mast has the inside scoop on what's trending. In fact, in late 2019 she told us that the money tree (Pachira aquatica) would be 2020’s trendiest indoor plant. And sure enough, Bloomscape’s top-selling plant was the money tree. The company tells Treehugger that “both the floor-sized money tree and the adorable mini money tree were extremely popular this year, perhaps for the plant’s reputation for bringing good fortune.”

Which would make sense given the uncertainties of the pandemic. Curiously, Mast forecasted the money-tree mania months before the pandemic made headlines.

Money trees weren’t the only plants helping to soothe frayed nerves during 2020. Many people found comfort in having a variety of houseplants around, with new plant parents finding their groove and adding to their collections as the year went on. Mast tells us:

“Plants bring people joy, and more people than ever are realizing that caring for them helps contribute to their well-being, especially during this time. It's a way to relax and connect with others. Plus, as we continue to work from home, they’re good additions and very accessible for people of all experience levels. We find that once people break into the initial purchase of a houseplant, they find a lot of immediate joy from it and that’s where their house plant family grows.”

Hopefully, 2021 will bring less isolation and stuck-inside-all-day time – but pandemic or not, the houseplant trend is here to stay. Here is what Mast expects we will see in the upcoming year.

Making a Statement

As far as large statement plants go, Mast predicts that the Ficus altissima will be popular next year as an alternative to the super trendy Ficus lyrata (also known as the fiddle leaf fig). “This plant makes a statement without the more complex care instructions that come with the Fiddle!” explains Mast. We love this beauty for its velvety variegated leaves and elegant drama – we're putting our money with Mast on this one.

Textured and Patterned Foliage

Interesting colors and textures have been gaining in popularity, and Mast predicts this will continue. Plants with fun foliage work well to mix things up, and provide unique focal points. “Plants with textured and patterned foliage will continue to attract plant enthusiasts in 2021," says Mast. "They are not always the easiest plants to find, but they’re well worth the search.”

Examples include:
Anthurium hookeri
Anthurium crystallinum
Alocasia black velvet, polly, regal shield, and frydek

Edible Houseplants

Treehugger wrote about houseplants you can eat last year; Mast predicts that as people continue to spend more time at home, edible plants will continue to grow in popularity in 2021. The benefits of plants are many, adding flavor and nutrition to the list is a wonderful bonus. And talk about local food!

“Having your own freshly grown indoor herbs and vegetable plants is ideal for creating dishes and beverages since you have the necessary ingredients at your fingertips,” Mast tells us. There are a number of great options for this approach, including herb collections, edible flowers, and the special cutie pictured above – a micro tomato plant created to be grown indoors.

The Gift of Greenery

Mast says that giving plants as gifts has also increased in popularity. “Many people have taken to gifting plants whether it be just a simple hello, get well, happy birthday or to brighten up the day, plants are a very happy and healthy option for letting someone know you are thinking of them.” 

And to that end, we think it's a fine idea to gift yourself a plant or two as well. If we are going to be stuck inside, we might as well be doing it in the company of our plant friends.

As always, please remember that some houseplants are toxic to pets and children. Bloomscape notes which plants are pet-friendly; you can also check the ASPCA's database of poisonous plants.