The One Houseplant Trend We’re Really Digging for 2022

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One of the very best things about having houseplants, aside from the beauty they bring to our homes, is the ritual of taking care of them. It’s so fulfilling to nurture something and watch it grow — which is why so many people fell in love with plants during the pandemic.

Maybe you started out with something less-demanding like a ZZ plant (short for Zamioculcas zamiifolia) or a snake plant in order to building your parenting skills, but as you get more comfortable in your abilities, you may find yourself wondering how you can keep growing, right along with your plants. If this is you, you’re definitely not alone in the drive to level up, according to Michelle Alfaro, plant expert and co-owner of Maranta Plant Shop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

As 2022 gets underway, Alfaro anticipates plant parents will begin to diversify their collections to care for different types of greenery. In particular, she sees flowering plants as a big trend for the year ahead.

Of course, plants with flowers look gorgeous, but there’s a deeper reason Alfaro’s expecting flowering greenery to take off next year. “Watching a plant grow and flower feels like a more long-term investment in your relationship with the plant,” she says. “You’re watching it thrive in the full aura of what it’s meant to be, which can be really affirming.” 

Of note in the flowering plants category is the hearty, waxy hoya. Alfaro says this trailing houseplant will likely spike in popularity this next year for a few reasons: First, in addition to being a flowering plant that offers a satisfying visual reward of your hard work as a plant parent, the hoya is a hanging plant, another category Alfaro anticipates will see new growth in 2022. The hoya is also top on Alfaro’s trend forecast because you never know what color flower you’re going to get; it could grow white, yellow, or even pink flowers. Finally, the hoya genus consists of about 300 species, so you’ll never get bored experimenting with the ones you bring home.

If the hoya isn’t for you, however, there are plenty of other flowering species to look out for. According to Alfaro, bromeliads, begonias, maranta (also called prayer plants), peace lilies, lipstick plants, and alocasia (also called elephant ear) will likely see a rise in popularity as more plant parents look for new ways to engage with their plants. 

No matter what type of flowering plant you end up with, the most important thing is to care for it properly. Each type requires specific light and water, and it’ll only thrive (and flower) if you nurture it accordingly.

Keep in mind, too, that while flowers usually bloom in the spring and summer months, how you care for the plant year-round affects its overall health. In the winter, most plants go dormant, so you can water them less (but if you live in a dry climate or have the heat on, you may need to keep a humidifier running). 

Warmer weather is your first cue that it’s time to switch up your routines, especially if you want to see a plant flower. Alfaro says she often puts her flowering plants outside when the weather gets warm enough — usually in late April or early May — to give them a growth boost. Depending on your climate, aim for a time where it’s continually above 50 degrees overnight. If you do put your plant outside, choose a shady spot, since they’ll be getting light from more angles. “They grow faster in their natural habitat because they’re receiving all the light and energy they need,” she says. 

Once the flowers begin to bloom, you could leave them outside for a summer vacation, then bring them in when the air starts to get crisp in the fall — but we like Alfaro’s approach to bring them back inside mid-summer. The blooms only last so long before winter comes again, so you may as well enjoy them.