The millennial generation is known for many things but one of the most positive is that these young people are gardening more. In fact, a trend started by this generation is the idea of plant parenting. So, what is it and are you a plant parent too?
What is Plant Parenting?
It’s a term coined by the millennial generation, but plant parenting isn’t really anything new. It simply refers to caring for houseplants. So, yes, you probably are a plant parent and didn’t even realize it.
Millennial plant parenthood is a positive trend. Young people are increasingly interested in growing plants indoors. The reason behind this may be the fact that millennials have put off having children. Another factor is that a lot of young people rent rather than own homes, limiting outdoor gardening options.
What older gardeners have long known; a younger generation is beginning to discover – growing plants is good for your mental health. People of all ages find it relaxing, soothing, and comforting to work outside in a garden but also to be surrounded by green plants inside. Growing plants also provides an antidote to being hyper connected to devices and technology.
Become a Part of the Plant Parenting Trend
To be a plant parent is as simple as getting a houseplant and caring for it as you would a child or pet to help it grow and thrive. This is a great trend to embrace wholeheartedly. Let it inspire you to grow and nurture more houseplants to brighten and reinvigorate your home.
Millennials particularly enjoy finding and growing unusual plants. Here are some of the houseplants trending in millennial homes across the country:
- Succulents: You can find many more varieties of these fleshy plants in nurseries than ever before, and succulents are easy to care for and grow.
- Peace lily: This is an easy plant to grow—it doesn’t ask for much—and a peace lily will grow with you for years, getting bigger every year.
- Air plants: Tillandsia is a genus of hundreds of air plants, which provide a unique opportunity to care for houseplants in a different way.
- Orchids: Orchids are not as hard to care for as their reputation suggests and they reward you with stunning blooms.
- Philodendron: Like the peace lily, philodendron will not ask for much, but in return you get growth year after year, including trailing and climbing vines.
- Snake plant: Snake plant is a striking plant with upright, lance-like leaves and is a tropical stunner popular with millennial plant parents.
While you may be used to finding new plants at your local nursery or through neighborhood swaps, another millennial trend to is buying online, also popular during the Covid pandemic. You can find a wider variety of unusual, beautiful plants and have your new “plant children” delivered right to your door.