THE HOUSEPLANT SURGE THROUGHOUT THE DECADES

The houseplant resurgence is a bandwagon I joined with littleto-no encouragement. What started as a show of interest has taken root and grown into an obsession. Now a self-proclaimed “plant mum”, I have amassed a beautiful collection of “plant babies”, all lovingly named, much to my partner’s bemusement, and our one-bedroomed flat now somewhat resembles a small jungle. For people who don’t have access to private outdoor spaces - like students living in tower blocks, halls, or terraced houses - houseplants are a great way to connect with the natural world. As well as being absolutely gorgeous, studies have found that houseplants positively impact air quality, mental wellbeing, and productivity. So, it’s really no surprise that this leafy decor is a great addition to any students’ bedroom.

But houseplants have been beloved UK home staples for decades. While a botanical obsession first became popular during the Victorian era, the houseplant craze truly exploded during the 1970s. With the recent boom in houseplant popularity, it’s really no surprise that popular trends from these iconic eras are coming back around.

During the 19th century, when homes started featuring high ceilings, large windows, and heated rooms, it became possible to keep plants indoors for the first time. With new and exotic plants being brought back to the UK from around the world, the upper classes began to display them in their homes. Houseplants quickly became a symbol of wealth and status. Some people went so far as to hire personal botanists to retrieve the most sought after plants for their collections. Large plants with bushy foliage, such as Parlour Palms and Maidenhead Ferns, and Orchids were the most popular. Skipping forward a few decades to World War II, women were entering the workforce. To smooth the corporate transition, and be a reminder of gardens at home, these women began to decorate their workspaces with small potted plants. Flowering varieties like African violets or trailing plants were most popular. Throughout the 1950s, although houseplants were still a relatively new concept, tropical plants with bright flowers and unique foliage were highly desired. Plants like Bird of Paradise, Bromeliads, and Philodendrons, often displayed in rattan baskets or plant shelves, provided the ideal tropical ‘tiki’ vibe.

The swinging sixties saw an increase in houseplants as a home staple. There was no home advert without a touch of greenery. As a result, more houseplant varieties became available; Snake Plants, Golden Pothos, and Swiss Cheese plants really took off, and as people had more money to splash out on luxuries, elaborate plant stands were the most popular way to display them.

Houseplant mania peaked in the 1970s and with it came the ‘urban jungle’ aesthetic. Homes were filled to the brim with houseplants and they became a central element of interior design. Macrame hangers sporting unruly Spider plants or Boston ferns hung from the ceilings, and Rubber plants and Umbrella trees towered in the corners. Terrariums were also incredibly popular, appearing in craft books across the country.

The minimalist trends of the 1990s and early 2000s saw houseplants paired back to the bare bones, with Cacti, Succulents, and other sturdy types stealing the spotlight. And now we’ve come full circle, and are fully embracing the indoor jungle lifestyle. While not for everyone, I, for one, am happy to be seen as a “crazy plant lady”.