Houseplants & flower trends over the decades
From interior design and music to fashion and hairstyles, throughout the decades, trends come and go…and very often come back again. But, did you know that our taste in plants and flowers changes by the decade, too? During the Victorian era, when buildings featured higher ceilings, larger windows and heated rooms, people were able to keep their plants inside for the first time. So, gardening quickly became a popular hobby, rather than a chore.
Since then, the types of flowers and plants we keep have risen and fallen in popularity. Fern crazes, orchid crazes, seaweed crazes and even celery crazes, we just love obsessing over new plants and new ways to style them in our homes. Not only do they bring life, colour and texture to our homes, but they can also help to purify the air, reduce stress levels, lift our moods and improve concentration and productivity by up to 15%!
It should go without saying that at Bloom & Wild, we adore all plants and flowers. And, of course, we wanted to learn exactly what the houseplant trends over the decades were! So, we analysed hundreds of archival photography data, newspapers and documents of design trends in horticulture and floristry to find out what the people wanted in each decade, including now.
Keep reading to find out how you can keep up with the latest plant trends and what trends may be making a comeback.
2020 - Japandi design
Right now, we’re big on less is more and the rise of Japandi styles. For those that don’t know, Japandi is a hybrid of Scandinavian and Japanese-influenced designs - think clean, smooth lines, simplicity and nature. Large statement plants like money trees, calatheas and snake plants that are still sculptural, are amongst the most popular. Concrete, plastic and ceramic pots in neutral hues are also very on-trend. And we’re even seeing a comeback of the 70s trends with plenty of soft and airy hanging plants, too.
2010 - Farmhouse aesthetic
The 2010s were all about the cosy farmhouse aesthetic. Many people were enjoying upcycling household items like mason jars, wicker baskets, tin watering cans and colanders into functional plant pots, which gave their home decor a rustic look and feel. Tall fiddle leaf figs, easy-going monsteras and pretty peace lily plants were all very popular during this decade.
2000 - Futuristic utopianism
As we entered the new millennium, we were convinced that flying cars, robot staff and life in space would soon be the new normal. So, futuristic tech utopianism was a trend that dominated our living spaces. With slick interiors and see-through plastic objects, plants and flowers that had a futuristic look, like modern orchids with their solid colours and sleek stems, became the trend. The 2000s also saw trends from the 1940s coming back, including the Tuscan style of terracotta pots, and topiaries, like ferns, got a nice big boost in popularity. Plus, more and more began growing their own edible plants and flowers too as a way to start being more sustainable.
1990 - Minimalistic designs
The 90s were all about minimalistic interiors with an Asian influence, so featuring bamboo and orchid plants in the home was a popular choice. But, the boho-chic style was also a big trend in this decade, which meant it was desert cacti and succulents' time to shine. During this decade, plant pots and vases were just as important as the flower display itself, and geometric pot designs were an instant hit.
1980 - Dramatic maximalism
We all know and love the 80s for its bold and over-the-top fashion and design trends! And the plants that people chose this decade were just as dramatic. Palms were a hugely popular choice, with their large, glossy leaves and ability to completely fill any empty space. When it came to planting pots, many preferred shiny, plastic designs in either gold or pastel shades.
1970 - Macramé fever
Known as the decade of disco, the 1970s was iconic for its bold trends. Biophilic design, earthy tones and plenty of texture were prominent in homes during this era and so the popularity of indoor plants went through the roof. Unruly, soft, airy plants like spider plants, vines and ferns in hanging, macramé-style planters were the biggest trendsetters, as they helped to add texture and naturalism to the pattern-heavy textiles the 70s loved to feature.
1960 - Suburban boom
Houseplants really began to blow up in the 1960s, with many adverts and leaflets claiming that ‘no house is complete without plants’ (a statement we still believe is true!). This meant that a wider variety of plants became readily available to consumers, including snake plants, begonias and golden pothos. But, it was the split-leaf philodendron or Swiss-cheese plant, as it’s also known, that everyone wanted the most. Pots with stands also became a hit this decade as, generally, people had more money to spend on frivolous luxuries.
1950 - Tiki vibes
With indoor flowers and plants still being a relatively new concept in the 1950s, many took the opportunity to display tropical and exotic plants, since their homes could now be warm enough. Bromeliads, birds of paradise and philodendron were all highly sought-after plants that added real interest and unique tiki vibes to the home. Rattan-style pots and wooden plant stands were also popular as gardening began to transition from outdoors to indoors.
1940 - Rise of small flower plants
In the 1940s, when young men were required to fight in the war and women were left to care for the home and their families, many needed to join the workforce. As more and more women entered corporate jobs, they began to decorate their workspace with potted plants to remind them of their home gardens - their happy place. This resulted in the first real rise of the houseplant. Small flower plants like African violets and trailing plants were the most popular during this time, as a way to bring small joys to people.
Keep your home on-trend this summer, and take a look at our wide range of gorgeous houseplants that are perfect for both beginners and plant enthusiasts.