Let’s Go Plant Shopping
After more than a year in quarantine, more and more people are venturing to their local plant nursery for their newest leafy green friend.
By Jessie Cruz
Plant nurseries in the US and Canada have reported record-high sales in 2020 compared to previous years. According to the Garden Center Magazine, houseplant/tropicals/succulent sales saw a 7% increase in 2020, which accounts for 71% of their operations. Additionally, 50% of nursery garden shops reported Covid-19 had a great impact on their business.
Based on a rolling survey by NBC, beginning in January 2021, out of 1,197 votes, almost half said they own more than 11 plants.
Due to the uptick in plant sales during quarantine, it’s imaginable that people had questions about the plants they were adopting. According to Google Trends, ‘monstera’ was the most googled plant out of the 14 popular houseplants in the past year. Following the charts below, birds nest fern, money tree, and rattlesnake plant, all reached the value of 100, peak popularity in May of 2020.
In the recent data report from Pew Research Center, 52% of employed Americans said they would want to continue work from home after the Coronavirus outbreak ends. It seems ‘home’ is the place to be, which is another reason behind the uptick in plant sales, and what’s to come.
Below are some of the main reasons people are investing in houseplants.
With an influx in plant owners, most of whom in apartments in cities, light requirements for a plant can be a make or break deal. Each plant has its own needs from water, humidity, soil aeration, or fertilization, but out of all those factors, the most important remains; good lighting. Below are popular houseplants and their light needs so you can make the proper decision before your next purchase.
Another factor in picking the perfect plant for your home is understanding if it is pet safe. Many houseplants aren’t always safe when taking into consideration dogs and cats. More often than not your houseplant could be highly toxic for your feline friends, or even you if digested.
Here is a graphic to understand the toxicity of common houseplants. Highly toxic plants could result in death for humans and pets if not brought to medical attention immediately. Mild toxicity often results in skin and oral irritation as well as vomiting.
As people gear up to continue working at home, or plan on decorating a space, or simply giving a gift, plants are always a good option. With the vast variety of choices, each room or person can find the right plant, perfect for them. But before you go and buy that pothos for your new home office, make sure it has enough light and out of your pets' reach!
