New research has revealed the UK’s favourite houseplants for spring/summer
2021 – with spider plants, philodendron and palm taking the top spots.
According to an analysis of 12.7 million Google searches by homes and
interiors brand Sass and Belle, the number of people looking for the term
“house plants” and related phrases has increased by 114 percent year on year – with
spider plants the most popular at nearly 700,000 searches, and the philodendron
seeing the greatest increase, up by 372 percent between 2019 and 2020.
Below are the country’s ten favourite houseplants based on volume of
searches:
- Spider Plant
(non-toxic to cats and dogs) - Philodendron
- Palm (most varieties are
non-toxic to cats and dogs) - Fern
- Bamboo (non-toxic to
cats and dogs) - Jasmine (non-toxic to
cats and dogs) - Yucca
- Banana (non-toxic to
cats and dogs) - Lavender
- Dragon Plant
The following is a list of the UK’s most up and coming plants, based on
those with the biggest percentage increase in searches between 2019/20 and
2020/21:
- Philodendron – +372 percent
- Banana Plant – +150 percent
- Palm – +116 percent
- Eucalyptus – +98 percent
- Spider Plant – +92 percent
- Fern – +86 percent
- Bamboo – +79 percent
- Yucca – +68 percent
- Dragon Tree – +47 percent
- Lavender – +35 percent
When it comes to what we’re looking for in a house plant, the data shows
growth in searches for characteristics including fake, pet friendly and air
purifying:
- Dog friendly – +210 percent
- Artificial / Fake –
+142 percent - Climbing – +114 percent
- Cat friendly – +107 percent
- Hanging – +105 percent
- Air purifying – +61 percent
While these plants have gained notoriety in Instagram shots around the
world, the risk of them becoming overgrown, out of control or simply failing to
survive is ever-present – unless their owners know their needs.
Sass and Belle’s data has also revealed an 84 percent year on year increase in
searches for houseplant care – leading to them collaborating with gardening
expert Henry Scott to create a complete guide to caring for the country’s
favourites.
“Houseplants bring so many benefits, including purification of the air we
breathe and improved productivity and wellbeing as a result; and the good news
is there are so many beautiful non-toxic varieties for those with pets. But
while we would love for those plants to thrive in our care, the reality is that
our plants will only stay happy and beautiful if we care for them properly,”
explains Sass and Belle’s design manager Chloe Mills.
“Through extensive research underpinning the design of our own range of
plant pots, we’ve learned the importance of potting – alongside watering and
positioning – as a key factor in plant wellness and longevity. We hope to raise
awareness of good plant parenting so even more of us can enjoy the benefits to
wellbeing and air quality.”
Henry Scott is a landscape and garden designer at Pehrsson Scott and contributed to the
Plant Parenting guide. Henry said:
“Understanding how a particular plant species thrives in nature will allow
you to recreate a similar environment in your home. The importance of proper
plant care is essential as a healthy plant can ward off disease and pest
attacks resulting in a stronger and happier plant that will not only look great
but perform its biological functions much better.”
Tim Hollis, head of buying at the Royal
Horticultural Society (RHS) added his support for the campaign, saying:
“As well as looking good, houseplants support human health in homes,
offices, schools and hospitals. Research suggests that the greatest benefits of
indoor plants are through wellbeing and productivity improvement. There is
discussion around their influence on indoor air quality. Choosing the right
indoor plant for the right space is really important as light and the amount of
water given to certain varieties is key to their growth and survival.”
Sass and Belle’s Plant Parenting guide can be found at the website.
Their new range of houseplant pots, including the refresh of the 2020
sensation “Frida”, is now available for purchase online.
