Houseplant Trends for 2022

Houseplant Trends for you (because we’re feeling) 2022

Bigger is better

Beep, Beep, Beep. Back it up and make way for massive specimen plants. Think Fiddle Leaf Figs, but bigger - more spectacular specifications, interesting and asymmetrical growth, chunky trunks and chunky foliage, leaves you can hide behind!

To care for these giants of the greenhouse, always make sure you have a bright, sunny window. Lots of leaves need lots of light. Even watering. Water when the top several inches of soil are dry to the touch and always make sure you have proper drainage. The fastest way from thriving to diving is allowing a plant to sit in soggy soil or a saucer full of stagnant water. Try these on for size:

Dracaena marginata, Tarzan Dracaena or Madagascar Palm
Also known as corn plant, Dracaena are easy to grow and make ideal houseplants. Plus, they are one of the best plants for cleaning and purifying the air.

• • • LIGHT - In low to medium light your plant will grow more slowly and require less water but will do fine. In bright, indirect light, be sure to keep the plant well-watered to avoid wilting.
    • WATER - Allow dracaenas to dry slightly between watering - they do not like to be constantly wet and overwatering can cause root rot.
    • SOIL - Plant in a standard, well-draining potting mix.
    • FERTILIZER - Fertilize with a half-strength fertilizer once a month during active growth.
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - Low humidity can cause browning leaf tips, as can overwatering. Use distilled or filtered water as well to avoid brown tips. Use a humidifier in very dry, indoor winter air conditions and be sure not to overwater.

Ficus Audrey
Ficus Audrey are now almost always available, but before that there was a time when they were few and far between. Because they have been widely propagated, the larger sized specimens branch and grow in all kinds of kinky, funky ways.

• • • LIGHT - Ficus like bright, indirect sunlight. Ficus love to be outside in summer in bright, dappled light. They can burn in direct sun.
    • WATER - Water when soil is dry to the touch about an inch down for smaller sizes but several inches for tree types. Water thoroughly and allow plant to drain completely and not sit in standing water. Overwatering can result in a fungal disease that causes brown spots on the leaves.
    • SOIL - Plant Ficus in rich, well-draining soil.
    • FERTILIZER - Feed with a water-soluble fertilizer from March to September.
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - Ficus don't like to be moved and may drop leaves as a show of stress. Just give the plant time to recover and become accustomed to its new location. Repotting will encourage Ficus to grow larger - to keep size in check repot only every other year.

Philodendron giganteum
Philodendrons come from a large and varied family, but they are all easy care. This is one of those tough-as-nails plants - it's hard to kill even if you try. There are vining and upright varieties of philodendrons, pick one or a few that appeal to you and you' re all set.

• • • LIGHT - Philodendron grow more vigorously in bright or medium light, but they tolerate low light if they have to, making them one of the better choices for low-light situations.
    • WATER - Philodendrons do not like to be too wet. Water when the top inch or two of soil is dry and empty the saucer after a few minutes to prevent rot.
    • SOIL - Plant in a standard, well-draining potting mix.
    • FERTILIZER - They don't need much, but two to four times a year is appreciated.
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - Pop them outside in the warm summer months to lend a tropical feel to your patio or deck. Outside they prefer partial shade and will burn in hot, direct sun.

Collections are key

Collecting plants within a specific species can be thrilling. Keep a lust list in your pocket as you search for a motley mosaic of plant friends. The best place to start is within a species that is vast and diverse. Some within each species are pretty common and other are hard to find or even “rare”. Take time and be patient. Indulge in the thrill of the hunt. After all, good things come to those who wait.

Peperomia sp.
Our favorites include Hope, Napoli Nights, and Watermelon. Easy-to-grow peperomia add a touch of texture to the home, and some varieties even trail.

• • • LIGHT - Medium or high light.
    • WATER - Water when top inch of soil is dry. They are fairly forgiving if you forget to water or go on vacation for a reasonable amount of time.
    • SOIL - Standard, well-draining potting soil is best. Succulent mix works too.
    • FERTILIZER - Fertilize once a week or so during active growth, lower strength and less often during slow growth.
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - Peperomia are slow growers, so they don't need much pruning or maintenance. They' Il live happily together for quite some time if planted as a combination and won't overtake one another quickly.

Hoya sp.
Our favorites include Macrophylla, Gracilis, and Rope Hoya. Supremely easy to care for, Hoyas have been a favorite indoor plant for decades. Long tendrils love to climb on and around things and, over time, Hoya can encircle a room.

• • • LIGHT - Bright, indirect light is preferred and even a little direct sun is OK, but Hoya can also handle medium light.
    • WATER - Thoroughly soak Hoyas and let drain, then let the soil dry out before watering again. Being native to tropical areas, Hoyas like humidity. Grow them next to other plants or in a bathroom or kitchen where the air is naturally more humid.
    • SOIL - Hoyas grow as epiphytes in nature, so they don't appreciate heavy soil. Plant in very well-draining potting mix. Add perlite or Orchid mix if soil seems too dense.
    • FERTILIZER - Fertilize monthly with a well-balanced fertilizer during active growth. No need to fertilize through the winter.
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - Hoyas like to be root bound, so don't worry about repotting too often.

Sansevieria sp.
Our favorites include Moonshine, Black Coral, and Ocean Star. One of the easiest houseplants, by far, it's hard to go wrong with Sansevieria. Also known as snake plant or mother-in-laws-tongue, this is a great plant for beginning plant parents, frequent travelers, or forgetful waterers.

• • • LIGHT - Snake plant thrives in high light, but tolerates low light conditions so well it's a great choice for Northern exposures and dark corners. Light-wise the do well just about anywhere.
    • WATER - Water well and let soil dry between waterings. If you forget to water for awhile, no worries, Sansevieria can handle it!
    • SOIL - Plant in well-draining potting mix.
    • FERTILIZER - Snake plants tolerate long periods without fertilizer, but can be fertilized about once a month during periods of active growth.
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - Sansevieria like to be pot bound. If you do need to repot, don't be surprised if the first new shoots come up right next to the edge of the pot. Likewise, don't be alarmed if the plant looks like it wants to burst through its pot, it loves tight spaces.

Blooming Beauties

Be the bohemian of the planty kingdom as you put blooming plant bounty on display for all to see. Although not that hard to find, growing blooming plants indoors can be a test of patience. Blooming plants generally like bright light unless otherwise noted and cycle in and out of bloom throughout the year. Our favorites include:

Angel Wing Begonias
Angel Wing Begonias produce beautiful, but subtle flowers usually on the under sides of leaves in colors ranging from white to pink.

• • • LIGHT - Angel wing begonia prefers bright, indirect light, and will tolerate medium light. Keep away from direct sunlight as they can burn.
    • WATER - Keep soil moist. Angel wing begonias do not like to dry out.
    • SOIL - Any houseplant soil should do great.
    • FERTILIZER - Fertilize with an all-purpose fertilizer weekly during active growth.
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - There are many different types of Begonias. Humidity will help this plant to thrive. Support growth with a bamboo stake to keep from tipping.

African Violets
African violets are a kind of sleeper plant and are experiencing resurgence in popularity. Plant parents love their retro appeal and broad color palette. They make a great gift, office pet, side table accent or collection. Unique varieties available almost all the time in the greenhouse.

• • • LIGHT - African Violets love bright, Indirect light to bloom, but can be placed In medium light when not actively flowering. Violets do need 8 hours of darkness In order to trigger bud development and blooming so take It easy with the grow lights.
    • Water - Violets should be bottom watered. Place In a shallow dish of water and let them wick up the moisture for about 30 minutes. Never use soft water, which has a higher saline content. This will decrease the plant's ability to absorb nutrients and water.
    • SOIL - Plant In African Violet potting soil. It has all the right stuff for your success.
    • FERTILIZER - Fertilize with an African Violet specific fertilizer as directed by the label.
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - Tonkadale began as an African violet breeding greenhouse.

Jewel Orchid
This classy plant is dressed in dark foliage with pretty pink pinstripes. It’s actually a terrestrial orchid unlike the most which are epiphytes.

• • • LIGHT - Jewel Orchid prefers medium light but can tolerate low light. Direct sun will cause the leaves to burn.
    • WATER - Water when top inch of soil is dry. Orchids are not tolerant of overwatering, don't let it sit in water.
    • SOIL - Plant in a good orchid planting mix.
    • FERTILIZER - Feed with a water-soluble fertilizer according to package direction during periods of active growth. Dilute the fertilizer with water during dormancy. Feeding them increases the likelihood of blooming which commonly happens in the winter months.
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - Repot each year for plant health. Don't pack soil too tightly as orchids need good drainage and root aeration. Orchids love humidity. Grow them in a naturally humid room or occasionally to maintain a humid environment. Bonus - Jewel orchids are non-toxic to pets.

Classic Hits

If the greenhouse had an LP of the classics, tracks 1 and 2 would include the OGs (Original Greenery– Hey! That’s the name of the band!), ferns and ivies.

Victorian Bird’s Nest Fern
Ferns are delicately textured but can make a statement. Most are not easy-care plants, but you’re lucky because the bird’s nest fern is one of the easiest plants to care for and is an exception to the rules.

• • • LIGHT - Ferns prefer medium light or bright, indirect light. They can burn in direct sun.
    • WATER - Ferns need evenly moist soil and they like humidity. Grow in a naturally more humid space such as a bathroom or near the kitchen sink. Ferns may not recover if allowed to become too dry.
    • SOIL - Plant in a standard, well-draining potting mix.
    • FERTILIZER - Follow a regular schedule of fertilizing once a week during the active growing season and every other week with half strength during periods of dormancy and slow growth.
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - Bird nest ferns are easier to grow than other varieties, so they make a good starter plant for a new fern plant parent.

Staghorn Fern (especially mounted)
This unique fern is an epiphyte. In nature these plants grow attached to something else, like a tree trunk.. Indoors, they are often grown on wall mounts or in open wire baskets.

• • • LIGHT - Grow in bright, indirect light with a couple hours of morning sun each day, if possible.
    • WATER - Staghorns enjoy humid conditions which are difficult to replicate indoors. Grow them near other plants or in a bathroom or kitchen to increase moisture. To water a mounted Staghorn, take the fern down and thoroughly soak it in the tub or sink. Let drain before returning to the wall. In summer, water every week. In winter, every couple of weeks is usually fine.
    • SOIL - Staghorn ferns like to be planted with regular potting soil mixed with a heavy dose of peat moss to hold in moisture.
    • FERTILIZER - During active growth fertilize weekly with a liquid plant food. Fertilize monthly during dormant periods.
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - Small Staghorns may be available in containers, but more mature plants will not survive if their roots are kept in pots, so you' II want to re-home a containerized Staghorn fern as they grow larger.

Oak Leaf or Grape Leaf Ivy
Ivies such as English and Algerian can stand alone or make excellent companions in mixed containers. Grape and Oak leaf Ivy are perfect candidates for a hanging basket.

• • • LIGHT - Ivies require bright, indirect light or medium light. They can sometimes acclimate to lower light, but their growth will decrease and they may become more susceptible to pests.
    • WATER - Water when the top inch of soil is dry, and don't water if soil feels wet or damp when pushing your finger to a depth of ½" below the soil surface.
    • SOIL - Plant in a standard, well-draining potting mix.
    • FERTILIZER - Ivies are not heavy feeders and can be fertilized just a couple times during the active growing season. For faster growth fertilize more often. Be sure to fertilize if the plant becomes chlorotic (Uncharacteristically yellow or light green over time).
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - For an interesting twist, train ivies to grow around a wire form or obelisk.

Swedish Ivy
One to look for in the spring, this more succulent version of ivy is actually a plectranthus. Easy care in all kinds of environments with a wide variety of leaf forms and foliage color – silver, green, purple, and variegated, some are even fuzzy and smelly.

Almighty Aroids

The Araceae, Arum, or Aroid plant family has us always swooning. We love this family for all that it has to offer including philodendrons, monsteras, anthuriums, spathiphyllum, syngonium, aglaonema, and so much more. All are united by the inflorescence they bear, the ever-elusive spadix; a spike of tiny flowers tightly arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed by a spathe; (we just can’t get enough of that definition!). While some are quite common and affordable, others are v. rare demanding top dollar for a single slip. Here are three to watch for:

Anthurium luxurians
A gorgeous species with bullate (pebble leaves, blistered, bubbled, or having semi-globular swellings) leaves. New foliage appears as pale silver, transitions to orange-chocolate, and settles as a deep, glossy green. Most def on our wishlist. Those in the know call it “Lux”.

Monstera obliqua
A close relative of Monstera andonsonii, but with papery thin leaves with significantly larger fenestrations than its now common cousin. This one is a unicorn, but we believe.

Philodendron ‘Paraiso Verde’
This one looks like a cross between a philodendron x syngonium x alocasia to us, but with its impressive elongated, heart shaped leaves its love at first (we haven’t actually seen it tbh). The variegation is more of a spackle and is presented uniquely on each leaf depending on the amount of light it gets.

Fabulous Foliage

Get out the way greenery. We are here for the collage of colors. Plant selections with colorful foliage are a great way to guide your eye through your plant collection and/or stick to a theme. Some of our planty friends shop exclusively for a type or color of foliage. Check out these poppin’ selections:

Pink
Aglaonema Wishes
Large leaves, a chunky growth habit, and contrasting colors in patterning and veining, this plant stands out and performs in rooms with low light.

• • • LIGHT - Keep Aglaonema in medium to low indirect light. Direct sun will burn leaves.
    • WATER - Water when the top inch of soil is dry. These plants will succumb to root rot if overwatered or allowed to sit in standing water.
    • SOIL - Plant in well-draining potting mix. Aglaonema are slow growers, so repotting is required only every couple of years.
    • FERTILIZER - Fertilize with a general fertilizer every week or two during active growth. Reduce fertilization to once a month during dormant or inactive growth periods.
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - Aglaonema like humidity, so this is a particularly good plant to add to the kitchen or bath, along with ferns that like the same conditions.

Caladium - Look for these up-and-coming show stoppers in the greenhouse this spring!

Ficus Ruby

Black
Geogenanthus ciliatus - A relative of Tradescatia, this new to us plant offers rich, purple-black foliage that is perfectly curved and cupped. Limited availability, in-store only.

ZZ Raven

Ficus Burgundy

Alocasia ‘Black Velvet’

Elephant Ears, or Alocasia, are fun to grow. Many have huge leaves and range in color from shades of green to black with some variegated white foliage.

• • • LIGHT - Elephant ears prefer partial sun, but they can be planted in full sun provided they are kept well-watered.
    • WATER - Moist soil is required. Water when the top inch or soil is dry.
    • SOIL - Plant in your typical well-draining potting soil adding perlite for extra drainage and horticultural charcoal to keep the soil fresh.
    • FERTILIZER - These are heavy feeders. Use a slow-release fertilizer or fertilize often with a well-balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season.
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - Alocasia are an amazing addition to outdoor containers in the spring and summer. Keep them dormant indoors in the winter by cutting them almost all the way back and withholding water.

Neon Pothos
Pothos is a perfect houseplant for the beginner or busy person. It's the perfect plant for an office, dorm room, or any other low-light condition that most plants would consider harsh.

• • • LIGHT - Pothos like medium light but can tolerate low light. Variegated varieties develop more green in lower light.
    • WATER - Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Allow plant to drain and soil to dry between waterings. Pothos are very forgiving and can tolerate a missed watering here and there.
    • SOIL - Plant in a standard, well-draining potting mix.
    • FERTILIZER - Fertilize Pothos every few months, or every two weeks to encourage growth.
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - If left to grow on their own they have a tendency to get leggy. Keep them appropriately watered and give them a hair cut every now and then to help them retain leaves and branch out. Repot when the plant becomes pot bound and the roots have mostly filled the pot.

Philodendron ‘Moonlight’

Dracaena fragrans ‘Limelight’- Coming to a greenhouse near you this spring. Great as an addition to outdoor containers in the shade!

Silver
Philodendron hastatum, Silver Sword Philodendron

Peperomia caperata ‘Frost’

Scindapsus treubi ‘Moonlight’ – Cross fingers that this is coming soon to a greenhouse near you!

Orange
Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’ - With the same habit as its big sister ‘Moonlight’ Orange is more widely available in the spring and boasts lusciously orange leaves the color of a sunset.

Chlorophytum orchidastrum, Orange Mandarin Spider Plant - Limited quantities available in the greenhouse from time to time. So worth it though.

Easy and fun to grow, every home could use a spider plant. Plus, they're non-toxic and pet friendly.

• • • LIGHT - Spider plants like bright, indirect light, but they' Il grow in slightly shadier and slightly sunnier locations, too.
    • WATER - Regular watering is required through the active growing season. Water when top inch of soil is dry. Decrease watering in winter as the plant is taking up and using less water during inactive growth periods.
    • SOIL - Plant in a standard, well-draining potting mix.
    • FERTILIZER - Fertilize according to directions with a general, all-purpose fertilizer during active growth and cut back to half strength and half as often during inactive growth.
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - Spider plants propagate themselves! Just pluck off the little "spiders" that grow from the mother plant, root in water or damp soil, and find them new homes, either at your place or give them away as gifts.

Aechmea blanchetiana, Giant Orange Bromeliad
This is one we have only had once, but is massive, and stunning and spikey. Where are our bromeliad fans out there?!

Bromeliads are native to warm climates and can be found growing on trees, rocks, and other hosts. They are valued for both their beautiful, unique foliage as well as their striking blooms. There are even fruiting bromeliads, such as ornamental pineapple!                                                                                        

• • • LIGHT - Bromeliads require very bright light to bloom. This can be difficult to accomplish in some homes through window lighting alone, especially in the winter, so artificial light can be used. However, they can be enjoyed for their foliage in bight, indirect light or medium light.
    • WATER - Bromeliads naturally collect water in nature by way of their curled leaves. Bromeliads in the home can be watered the same way but be careful not to overwater as the leaves can hold quite a lot. There is no need to water the soil, run-off will be sufficient. Consistently moist soil can encourage root rot.
    • SOIL - Soil should be alkaline and should be porous and well-drained to allow air to reach the roots. Orchid potting soil mixed with a bit of all purpose is great option.
    • FERTILIZER - Fertilize every one to two months with a half-strength water soluble fertilizer which can be poured right into the leaves. Roots can be fertilized less often.
    • FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS - Each individual bromeliad plant blooms only once and then dies, but it makes 1-3 “pups” that will continue grow, bloom, and also make pups. Be sure to water pups as soon as they emerge to encourage development. Bromeliads pups can be forced to bloom. Drain all water from the plant, place in a plastic bag with a ripe apple (which gives off ethylene, a gas that encourages blooming), remove from the bag after three days and replace water. Plant should bloom in 6-14 weeks.  

That’s it. The best and the brightest of 2022.

🎶 We don’t know about you, but we’re feeling 22. Everything will be alright if you keep (these houseplants) next to you. 🎶 — T. Swift