Where once houseplants were the domain of an older generation who had the time and knowledge to care for them, they’re now proving popular with a younger, cooler generation. In fact, you only need to search #plantshelfie or #monsteramonday on Instagram to see a host of bedrooms, bathrooms, home offices, and kitchens which green-fingered millennials have kitted out with everything from succulents to ferns.
Of course, the Internet's love of leafy shrubs, cute succulents, and towering cacti makes sense when you think about it. Furniture and art can be expensive, so a collection of plants is an easy and affordable alternative. It’s also said that the enthusiasm for slow-growing green spaces is a reaction to living life in a fast-paced concrete jungle.
As with most trends, social media is also helping to drive this plant frenzy. Instagram accounts such as Urban Jungle Blog (which has over half a million followers), Jungalow (which boasts over one million followers) and The Sill (which has 318 thousand followers), provide a host of inspiration for those looking to recreate the trend in their own homes.
According to a US-based 2016 National Gardening Report, this millennial houseplant explosion is backed up by data. The report stated that out of the 6 million or so Americans who started getting into gardening that year, 5 million fell between the ages of 18 and 34.
As well as sprucing up your interiors, houseplants are known to help cleanse the air, remove pollutants and promote better sleep. And given the fact millennials are more dedicated to their wellbeing than any other generation, it’s no surprise they are turning to these natural health-givers. But they don't just affect your physical health, as the presence of houseplants can also help with loneliness and depression. Caring for a living thing gives us a purpose and is rewarding, especially when you see that living thing bloom and thrive.
