My houseplant predictions for 2024

I took a little glance into my obsidian mirror* this week and here are the houseplant trends I am predicting you'll be hearing a lot more about in 2024. 

Insect poo as fertilisers

Frass - the technical term for insect poo - is an enormously powerful and effective soil additive, and products are starting to come to market for the houseplant scene, like this one from Verd Houseplants. It's all about the chitin.

Longlived houseplants

I've been banging on about this for years, but people are finally catching onto the idea that the best houseplants are the ones that will live for generations. Think forest cacti, the swiss cheese plant, aspidistras and the like. Check out this piece in MarthaStewart.com and the Washington Post. (You can listen to my episode from 2017 on this topic here.)

Flowering houseplants

Can this be the year that Episcias, African violets and other gesneriads finally hit the mainstream again? I hope so. 

Giant houseplants

Norfolk island pines brushing the ceiling, Monstera deliciosa with more fenestration than Anglian Windows, Anthuriums with leaves the size of your weighted blanket... big, statement plants and trees are going to be ever more popular this year. Check out my episode on the shady lady/black olive for another trend setter in this area. And remember, one big plant in a small room makes it look bigger than loads of itty bitty pots. 

The end of quirky pots

Suddenly, those boob pots you bought circa 2022 are looking a little out of place. Instead, battered brass containers and a 2024 take on West German fat lava pots will dominate. 

*No idea about obsidian mirrors? Read this…

This blogpost was taken from The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant scene. Subscribe here and get my free in-depth guide to fungus gnats.