The Indoor Plant Trends That Are Ruling 2022 So Far

TrendThe Indoor Plant Trends That Are Ruling 2022 So FarThe end of the Monstera era, new alternatives to faux flowers, and more

By Mikki Brammer

June 7, 2022

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“Grouping potted plants in sets of two or three in varying heights can feel sculptural and anchor any room,” says Candace Rimes of Fogarty Finger. The living room of Justina Blakeney, pictured here and seen in the June 2022 issue of AD, is here for inspiration.Photo: Jenna Peffley

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During year one of the pandemic, many of us enthusiastically used the enforced time at home to pick up new domestic hobbies (banana bread, anyone?). But now that we’re well into year three, much of that enthusiasm has waned a little—except when it comes to our collective passion for house plants and flower arranging. With an uptick in plant purchases since 2020, it seems that many people aren’t ready to abandon their green thumbs.

So which botanicals are adorning the interiors of 2022? We chatted to four experts about the indoor plant trends and techniques that make a space sing.

Although low-maintenance plants like aloe and cactus have their merits, some designers, like Taylor Patterson of Fox Fodder Farm, urge other professionals and homeowners to consider botanicals like begonia and geraniums, which can thrive indoors.

Photo: Tria GiovanSo long succulents, and ta-ta tropicals

Succulents will likely always be a go-to for anyone seeking low-maintenance and high-aesthetic house plants. But hardiness isn’t always everything—some homeowners and their designers are looking for a change of scene from the ubiquitous cactus and aloe plants, even if it means some added TLC.

“People always ask for low-maintenance plants that they can basically ignore, but I don’t really subscribe to that thought process,” says Taylor Patterson, founder of floral design studio Fox Fodder Farm. “For any plant to thrive, it needs care. I love scented geraniums, and with the right light conditions and consistent care, they’re an unexpected yet perfect indoor plant. I love begonia as well. There are so many varieties with beautiful leaf patterns that, when cared for correctly, will happily thrive indoors.”

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Likewise, tropical plants—such as Monstera, banana leaf, and palm trees, which have long been a staple for statement-making interiors—have recently lost their charm among some designers. “I think these plants, while so beautiful and sculptural on their own, often require [lots of] maintenance and sun, which we don’t always have in our apartments or homes,” says Candace Rimes, director of Fogarty Finger. “I see a trend of moving towards local [varietals] in every aspect of design, sourcing native plants and florals from local growers and florists.”

Along with considering the origin of any interior greenery, Rimes says it’s equally as important to base your choice on where, exactly, a plant or arrangement will live in the home. “Plants work best in spaces that are welcoming growing environments,” she says. “While a bird of paradise might transport your mind to somewhere tropical, it isn’t the right solution for a lowlight environment or moody library or den.” Instead of a plant for those spaces, she suggests, try filling a ceramic vessel with lots of dried eucalyptus at varying lengths or a cluster of branches or twigs clipped from your favorite backyard tree. “The result will be a very satisfying sculptural work of art.”

Plants as art

Plants and flowers can also inject an artistic element to a space, the experts say. “Until recently, ikebana-style minimalism was popular in flower arrangements,” says Enis Karavil, creative director of Istanbul interdisciplinary design studio Sanayi313. “But nowadays there is a tendency towards more artistic creations featuring a medley of bold, vibrant colors and textures that result in unique and expressive arrangements. By using sculptural flower pots or vases made by artists, art is somehow integrated to the landscape or the arrangement.”

That said, if bright and bold isn’t your thing, there’s room for simplicity, Karavil adds. “Regardless of color or design aesthetic, I believe green brings in a dynamic and peaceful feel to any room. I prefer plants that are primitive, those with large leaves in dark tones.”

Rimes advises also considering both texture and scale. “Choosing plants with a variety of leaf sizes, heights, shapes, and textures can make the space feel more inviting and natural,” she says. “Grouping potted plants in sets of two or three in varying heights can feel sculptural and anchor any room. Long, creeping branches and low-maintenance, unruly, leafy greens can be centerpiece-worthy on their own, bringing drama and impact to any space.”

If you’re growing weary of replacing wilting arrangements every week, solutions like Nordbloom’s preserved flowers (pictured) may be a fit.

Photo courtesy NordbloomsFlowers with staying power

A vase of fresh flowers is an instant mood booster, but as soon as their vibrance starts to wilt, the vibe rapidly shifts to depressing. There’s also the sustainability factor to consider—not everyone likes the idea of regularly acquiring fresh flowers, which often get shipped long distances. Still, artificial flowers can be hard for some aesthetes to stomach. Fortunately, a happy medium now exists.

Flora design companies like the nascent Nordblooms are creating bio-preserved contemporary flower arrangements that have the long-lasting properties of dried flowers while maintaining a fresh-cut appearance for up to a year.

“Coming out of the pandemic, people want a connection to nature and something that is real and natural,” says Nordblooms founder Isabelle Back. “People also care more about sustainability and making considered purchases.” The bio-preserved blooms contribute to lower carbon emissions, less waste and water usage, and are biodegradable, but they’re also crafted with a shrewd aesthetic eye.

At launch, Nordbloom’s bouquets will start at $139 and go up to $299, though Back adds that she plans to add more arrangements on both sides of the price spectrum over time. Though those prices are higher than you may pay for a design from a local florist, the savings you’ll make in not replacing those arrangements over the course of a year can add up.

“We apply Scandinavian design [principles] to our bouquets, curating modern understated flower arrangements that complement and complete the space they are placed in,” Back says. “For a neutral palette and a more minimalistic look, I would opt for greenery, mixing different varieties of eucalyptus. If you want something that stands out more, I would pick an accent color in the room and get flowers to match—for example tulips, roses, or peonies in the same color.”

And they aren’t the only ones getting in on the action. Shida Preserved Flowers—a London-based company founded by florist Katherine Whitchurch in 2018—offers dozens of arrangements (and even wedding bouquets) that have been preserved, and can last up to a year. Most retail for $109 or less. Whitchurch’s designs with Hydrangeas, in particular, are worth a second look. Suffice it to say, these aren’t your grandma’s plastic flowers.