Looking for houseplant statistics?
You’ve come to the right place.
We’ve curated the most up-to-date houseplant statistics for you.
Let’s dive in.
Houseplant Statistics:
- 33.1 million people in the US have houseplants.
- 66% of American households own at least one houseplant.
- The market size of the plant and flower growing sector in the United States reached 15.23 billion U.S. dollars in 2020.
- Houseplant owners spend $75 a year on houseplants.
- The average American plant owner has a lifetime spend of $566 on houseplants.
- 40+ year old Americans buy the most plants.
- 7 in 10 millennials consider themselves a “plant parent”.
- 47% of millennials own plants because it’s trendy.
- 47% of millennials don’t currently own plants because they don’t know how to care for them.
- Average plant parent has killed 7 houseplants.
- 40% of houseplants die in the supply chain, and another 30% die in customers’ homes.
- Demand for houseplants surged by 18% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 50.5% of plant buyers are women and 49.5% are men.
- 72% of plant buyers agree that houseplants make them feel better and 44% feeling great optimism about the future even though COVID-19 heavily affected their lives.
- Flowering houseplants are the most purchased plant category.
- 70% of houseplant owners keep their plants in their living room or bedroom.
- Houseplants can remove up to 87% of air toxin in 24 hours.
- Indoor plants improve productivity by 12%.
1. 33.1 million people in the US have houseplants.
According to a houseplant gardening participation survey running from 2010 to 2019, 33.1 million U.S. households participated in indoor houseplant gardening in 2019. (1)
2. 66% of American households own at least one houseplant.
Since 2019 there has been a steady increase in plant ownership among U.S. consumers.
The number of consumers with no interest in owning a plant has decreased to 26%. (2)
3. The market size of the plant and flower growing sector in the United States reached 15.23 billion U.S. dollars in 2020.
The market size of the plant and flower growing sector in the United States was 15.23 billion USD in 2020.
It saw an increase over the previous year’s size of 14.18 billion U.S. dollars.
The sector was forecast to grow to 15.85 billion USD in 2021. (3)
4. Houseplant owners spend $75 a year on houseplants.
According to the CraftJack.com survey, most people who have houseplants spend on average $75 on their hobby annually.
63% of respondents said their collection of plants increased during the pandemic. (4)
5. The average American plant owner has a lifetime spend of $566 on houseplants.
Amount spent on houseplants, annually | Amount spent on houseplants, lifetime | The most someone would spend on a plant |
$74 | $566 | $110 |
6. 40+ year old Americans buy the most plants.

The average age of plant buyers is 40+ years old, which represents 70% of the population. (5)
Plant Buyer Years | Percentage |
20-30 years | 7% |
30-40 years | 22% |
40+ years | 70% |
7. 7 in 10 millennials consider themselves a “plant parent”.
Article.com launched a survey with OnePoll to 2,000 millennials (25-39) and found that 7 in 10 millennials consider themselves a plant parent.
Plant parent is a term coined by the millennial generation and refers to caring for houseplants. (6)
8. 47% of millennials own plants because it’s trendy.
The survey found main reasons why millennials own houseplants. (6)
Here are the top five:
Plants complimented overall home decor aesthetic | 50% |
Plants improve air quality | 48% |
Plants are trendy | 47% |
Plants are peaceful and calming | 45% |
Plants make a space look beautiful | 39% |
9. 47% of millennials don’t currently own plants because they don’t know how to care for them.
As much as millennials love plants, plant care is hard for many.
- 47% – say they don’t currently own plants because they don’t know how to take care for them;
- 67% – agree the responsibility of being a plant parent is more than what they bargained for;
- 19% – think that watching plants is more stressful than getting a root canal.
Millennials said the most challenging part of taking care of plants are:
50% | The proper sunlight needed. |
46% | How much water is needed. |
43% | Whether the plant is an indoor or outdoor one. |
34% | The importance of pruning plants. |
30% | How easy it is to kill a plant. |
10. Average plant parent has killed 7 houseplants.
Article.com found that on average, millennials have killed seven houseplants that they’ve brought home.
67% call themselves plant murderers. (6)
Call Themselves Plant Parents | Killed Houseplants by Millennials | Call Themselves Plant Murderers |
70% of millennials | 7 houseplants | 67% of millennials |
The same study also found some of the anxieties millennials have when it comes to caring for plants.
Here are the top five:
60% | Making sure they have enough sunlight. |
56% | Ensuring they have enough water. |
48% | Keeping them alive. |
37% | Stressing out the plant(s) when they move them. |
21% | Finding a plant sitter when away/out of town. |
11. 40% of houseplants die in the supply chain, and another 30% die in customers’ homes.
12. Demand for houseplants surged by 18% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March 2021, Garden Center magazine polled more than 250 independent garden center owners and managers in the U.S. and Canada to see how houseplant popularity has affected demand, sales and prices.
Garden centers were seeing 20% or more of sales coming from indoor growing jumped up 18% in 2021 over the previous year.

Garden centers that saw an increase of 15% or more in their houseplant departments jumped up nearly 25% in 2021.
More than 80% of those surveyed say they increased houseplant offerings in 2020-2021.
But although sales and offerings were up, garden centers didn’t increase their prices much more than they did in 2019. (8)
13. 50.5% of plant buyers are women and 49.5% are men.
According to Zippia.com, among the plant buyers, 50.5% are women and 49.5% are men.
The most common ethnicity among plant buyers is White, which makes up 70.9% of all plant buyers.

Plant Buyer Race | Percentages |
White | 70.9% |
Hispanic or Latino | 11.4% |
Black or African American | 8.7% |
Asian | 6.6% |
Unknown | 1.8% |
American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.6% |
14. 72% of plant buyers agree that houseplants make them feel better and 44% feeling great optimism about the future even though COVID-19 heavily affected their lives.
The Floral Marketing Fund conducted an in-depth study and found that “consumers felt plants helped them throughout the pandemic to deal with stressful thoughts and feelings”. (9)
15. Flowering houseplants are the most purchased plant category.
The study included 10 types of houseplants—broad-leaf foliage, bromeliads, cacti, flowering plants, ferns, indoor palms, air plants, narrow-leaf foliage, succulents and trailing/climbing plants. (9)
Here are the top three categories:
- Flowering plants
- Broad-leaf foliage
- Succulents
16. 70% of houseplant owners keep their plants in their living room or bedroom.
According to the Floral Marketing Fund study, 70% of respondents keep their houseplants in the living room or bedroom, 47% prefer a kitchen. (9)
17. Houseplants can remove up to 87% of air toxin in 24 hours.
NASA made an extensive research and found that houseplants remove really help a lot in removing toxins from the air. (10)
18. Indoor plants improve productivity by 12%.
The study, published in the “Journal of Environmental Horticulture,” reports that productivity increased 12 percent when people performed a simple task on a computer in a room with plants compared with workers who performed the same task in the same room without plants. (11)
References
- Indoor houseplant gardening participation in the United States from 2010 to 2019. Link
- Gen Z Houseplant Ownership Stems from the Desire to Care for Something Alive. Link
- Market size of the plant and flower growing sector in the United States from 2011 to 2020, with a forecast for 2021. Link
- Study reveals houseplants are the new pets. Link
- Plant buyer demographics and statistics in the US. Link
- Survey: decorating with houseplants. Link
- Americans kill nearly half their houseplants. So why do we still spend billions on them each year? Link
- Blooming and booming. Link
- Houseplant Purchasing Trends. Link
- Plants Clean Air and Water for Indoor Environments. Link
- Indoor Plants May Increase Worker Productivity. Link
FAQs
What proportion of houseplants are Millennials buying? ›
...
2. Average plant parent has killed seven houseplants.
Millennials | Plant Care Worries |
---|---|
48% | Keeping plants alive |
37% | Stressing the plants when relocating |
But why do Millennials love houseplants and what has them buying more than ever? Health and wellness are important to the Millennial generation, which makes plants a natural draw. Plants are known to make healthier spaces for people to inhabit by helping to purify the air, boost one's mood, and lower stress levels.
What is the houseplant of 2023? ›In partnership with The Plant Company of Virginia, Proven Winners has announced its 2023 National Houseplant of the Year — Feeling Flirty purple tradescantia from its new leafjoy houseplant collection.
What is the market trend in houseplants? ›As of 2021, the global houseplant market is estimated to be around $10.2 billion, with a projected growth rate of 10.7% CAGR from 2021 to 2028.
What is the largest generation of home buyers? ›The latest report from the National Association of Realtors found that baby boomers are now the largest generation of homebuyers, beating out millennials for the first time in years. Combined, younger boomers (ages 58 to 67) and older boomers (ages 68 to 76), made up 39% of homebuyers in 2022.
What age group buys the most plants? ›Plant Buyer Years | Percentages |
---|---|
40+ years | 72% |
30-40 years | 21% |
20-30 years | 7% |
Research also indicates that Gen Zers are currently the most stressed demographic of people. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that: 90% of Gen Z experienced psychological or physical symptoms as a result of stress in the last year. ²
Are indoor plants trendy? ›Indoor gardening is more popular than ever, so it's no surprise to see houseplants continuing to surge in popularity.
Does Gen Z like house plants? ›Owning houseplants stressful for 1 in 4 Gen Zers
Twenty-three of 18-24 year-olds say owning houseplants is stressful. Forty-four percent are neutral about how stress-inducing the hobby is, and only 33% describe owning houseplants as “not stressful.”
- Basil. Basil represents abundance according to Feng Shui. ...
- Jasmine. Jasmine is one of the best plants to attract prosperity, according to Feng Shui. ...
- Chinese Money Plant. ...
- Bamboo.
What is the flower of the year 2023? ›
Meet the 2023 Flower of the Year: Orchid.
What is the new beginnings houseplant? ›The Calathea symbolises a new beginning. That meaning is derived from the expression 'to turn over a new leaf', which is what the plant does when it gets dark. So give a Calathea as a gift to someone who starting afresh.
What houseplants are the most profitable? ›- Kadupul Flower. Image ©sencirareseeds.com. ...
- Alocasia Azlanii. Image ©plantly.io. ...
- Philodendron Tortum. Image ©garden.org. ...
- Philodendron Minima. Image ©monstera.vn. ...
- Hoya Carnosa Compacta. Image ©trees.com. ...
- Anthurium Crystallinum. ...
- Variegated Monstera. ...
- Monstera Dubia.
On average, indoor plants should live a minimum of two to five years. But this is very dependent on the type of houseplant you own, as well as how committed you are to their care. It's not uncommon for some indoor plant types to live upwards of 20 years!
Why are houseplants so expensive right now? ›But what makes a houseplant cost so much? Factors such as rarity, beauty, breeding, and propagation all potentially play a role when it comes to pricing expensive plants. Gardening activities have become increasingly popular in recent decades with the younger generations, and there has been a "plant boom" of late.
Why are millennials waiting longer to buy homes? ›A 2019 survey by Fannie Mae found that 55% of millennials and Generation Z believe that homeownership is “out of reach financially.” Several factors, including the rising cost of housing and preexisting debt (often from student loans), present barriers to homeownership for these generations — and new obstacles continue ...
Why is it harder for millennials to buy a house? ›Key Takeaways. Millennials are not buying homes as readily as the previous generation. Delaying marriage and having children is keeping many Millennials at home with their parents. Tighter lending criteria can also make homeownership unaffordable or virtually impossible for those without much credit history.
What is the age range for millennials? ›GENERATION Y OR THE MILLENNIALS: DIGITAL NATIVES
Also known as digital natives, millennials are those born between 1982 and 1994 and technology is part of their everyday lives: all their activities are mediated by a screen. The concept of on and off is completely integrated into their lives.
Water, air, and sunlight are the most important things that a plant needs for growth. Plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and convert it into glucose through the process of photosynthesis, which is powered by sunlight.
Who is the target market for plants? ›Your customers may be landscapers or retail plant nurseries that buy wholesale from you, home gardeners who prefer to do most of the work themselves or homeowners who don't have time but want a well-maintained attractive landscape.
What's the saddest generation? ›
Gen Z has been called the 'most depressed generation' with the least positive outlook and diminished emotional and social well-being. They have more unmet social needs than any other generation. The statistics for their behavioural-health issues – mental and substance disorders – are alarming.
What generation is the unluckiest? ›Millennials are in trouble. We have been dubbed the “unluckiest generation” by The Atlantic and The Washington Post because we just can't catch a break or get ahead. We are kids who have been impacted by market downturns more than any other generation.
What generation is the smartest? ›Gen Z is also the smartest and best educated generation. Having an unlimited wealth of information at our disposal has not gone to waste. In America, 57 percent of Gen Z is reported to have enrolled in a two-year or four-year college, compared to 52 percent of Millenials and 43 percent of Gen X.
What is the downside of houseplants? ›Because houseplants may not get the optimum amount of light and moisture they need, they may develop molds on the soil or a fungus or bacterial infection on their leaves -- conditions that can kill the plant. The infections can release mold spores and pollutants into the air you breathe.
What is a popular indoor plant? ›Peace lily
The epitome of elegance, the Peace lily, with its glossy tear shaped leaves and pure white flowers is one of the most popular indoor plants.
The majority of millennials likely grew up with smart technology and are looking for homes that come with smart features such as smart locks, home security, automatic lighting, and Nest thermostats. They want to be able to control their heating and cooling system, as well as appliances, with an app. Updated kitchen.
What color attracts Gen Z? ›Like Millennial Pink, Gen Z colors favor the eye-popping Cyber Lime (forecasted to be big in 2024) and Digital Lavender, also aligned with inclusivity. “[Cyber Lime] can speak to all, which Gen Z is very sensitive to,” said Guilbert.
What is a person who loves plants called? ›The word is sometimes said to be synonymous with "botanist" or "horticulturist", but that would indicate a professional involvement, whereas "plantsman" reflects an attitude to (and perhaps even an obsession with) plants. A horticulturist may be a plantsman, but a plantsman is not necessarily a horticulturist.
What is the lucky color inside the house 2023? ›The lucky color for 2023 is based on the element that rules the sign of the year -it's a color that promises to bring luck, prosperity, and health and can be used to bring those feelings into your interior design project. Forest green is the lucky color for 2023, a color that can represent both – earth and water.
Where to put plants in 2023 Feng Shui? ›In Feng Shui, this good luck and fortune plant is even more so effective when placed in the 'wealth corner' of your home. The universal wealth corner is southeast of any room, home, office, or garden.
What are the 5 lucky signs for 2023? ›
- Sagittarius.
- Libra.
- Leo.
- Taurus.
- Pisces.
- Aries.
- Aquarius.
- Virgo.
2023 sees in the Year of the Rabbit, which begins on January 22. In Chinese culture, the Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity. 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded and ingenious.
What are the floral colors for 2023? ›Color trends for 2023 in fashion, home decor, and flowers are heading for bright, vivid shades that celebrate life. Deep azure blue, passionate red, cheerful yellow, and pink predominate on the runway and in floral bouquets.
What is the floral trend color in 2023? ›Embracing the rich, deep hues of the region, lavender roses are perfect pairings with Ranunculus and Dahlia in Pantone's 2023 Color of the Year, “Viva Magenta.”
What is the rarest houseplant? ›What Is the Most Exotic Houseplant? The most exotic houseplant include the strangest-looking succulents like Pseudolithos and Trachyandra. Many tropical plants are also considered rare because of their out-of-this-world appearance, like varieties of Monstera, Alocasia, and Philodendron.
Which houseplant brings luck and prosperity? ›Orchids offer a wish of good luck and prosperity when given as a gift. They can also symbolize a happy marriage and career, beauty, and strength. Orchids are well-known for their difficulty to grow, but they just have different needs from other houseplants.
What are the number 1 house plants? ›Snake plants, spider plants, rubber plants, peace lilies, ferns, and English ivy are some of the best indoor plants for boosting oxygen levels and purifying the air.
What is the most expensive plant cutting? ›Philodendron billietiae variegata
It can cost upwards of $10,000 for those willing to lay down that kind of green. Even a single rooted stem cutting of the coveted Philodendron billietiae variegata can cost thousands of dollars.
How long can houseplants live? The oldest currently living houseplant of record is located in the conservatory at London's Kew Gardens. The 242-year-old Eastern Cape cycad has been growing in a pot since 1775. Most botanists agree there are no predetermined lifespans of indoor plants.
What is the longest living houseplant? ›With the right care a plant in the right place can live for years and years. The oldest houseplant in the world is over 240 years old and can be seen today at Kew. The amazing Eastern Cape giant cycad first arrived at Kew in 1775 after the botanist Francis Masson, brought it back from South Africa.
What time of year do houseplants stop growing? ›
Houseplants grow differently in the winter than they do during the summer. Most of them go into a dormant state, and will slow down or stop growing all together. Winter is the hardest time for growing houseplants, and many can end up suffering, or even dying during the long, dark, and dry winter months.
Why do Millennials love houseplants? ›But why do Millennials love houseplants and what has them buying more than ever? Health and wellness are important to the Millennial generation, which makes plants a natural draw. Plants are known to make healthier spaces for people to inhabit by helping to purify the air, boost one's mood, and lower stress levels.
What time of year should I buy houseplants? ›Horticulturists recommend that those who are new to plant care make their indoor plant purchases in the spring and summer when most plants thrive more easily. However, the end of the growing season—usually in September—can be a good time to find discounted house plants at many retail stores.
What is the market size for home plants? ›Indoor Plants Market Analysis and Size
Data Bridge Market Research analyses that indoor plants market was valued at USD 17.93 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach the value of USD 26.23 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 4.87% during the forecast period of 2022-2029.
Report Description. The global indoor plants market size was USD 1,971.0 Mn in 2021 and is likely to reach USD 3,025.0 Mn by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 4.8% during 2022–2030. The market growth is attributed to the rising demand for indoor plants in offices and residences.
What is the market size for indoor plants? ›The global indoor plants market size was USD 10.459 billion in 2021 and the market is projected to touch USD 13.145 billion by 2027, exhibiting a Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.88% during the forecast period.
How many home buyers are millennials? ›Instead, it's 55- to 74-year-old buyers who take the crown, accounting for 44% of all home purchases so far this year. Young millennials, who are typically first-time homebuyers, made up just 14% of purchases – down from nearly a quarter in 2021.
What are the best selling plants at markets? ›In most places, tomatoes, peppers, basil, zucchini, cucumbers, and lettuce have the widest appeal. My other best sellers include spinach, kale, broccoli, herbs, and peas.
Is selling indoor plants profitable? ›Making money selling plants can be profitable; however, choosing the right niche is critical. Whether succulents, perennials, vegetables, house plants, flowering plants, or seasonal, find an area of interest and profitability and develop knowledge of specific plants.
What is the average number of houseplants owned? ›Just over half of participants reported owning one houseplant. 25% of survey respondents own 2-5 houseplants. About 12% of those surveyed own more than six houseplants.
Is the plant market growing? ›
Questions Clients Ask About This Industry
The market size of the Plant & Flower Growing industry is expected to increase 0.2% in 2023.
How Many Houseplants Should I Have? NASA recommends one plant every 100 square feet - which is about 9.2 square metres. In a home of about 1800 square feet in size (roughly 167 square metres), NASA recommends 15-18 houseplants.
How do you price houseplants for sale? ›- Add up your variable costs per product (cost of goods sold, packaging, shipping, etc.).
- Add a profit margin (consider the overall market).
- Don't forget about fixed costs (overhead expenses, like rent).
Indoor gardening is more popular than ever, so it's no surprise to see houseplants continuing to surge in popularity.
What do millennials want in a home? ›The majority of millennials likely grew up with smart technology and are looking for homes that come with smart features such as smart locks, home security, automatic lighting, and Nest thermostats. They want to be able to control their heating and cooling system, as well as appliances, with an app. Updated kitchen.
What types of homes are millennials buying? ›Millennials — defined as those born from 1980 through 1999 — make up the largest share of homebuyers and mostly want single-family homes in the suburbs, according to the 2022 National Association of Realtors® Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report.
How old are millennials? ›Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines millennial as "a person born in the 1980s or 1990s." Jonathan Rauch, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, wrote for The Economist in 2018 that "generations are squishy concepts", but the 1981 to 1996 birth cohort is a "widely accepted" definition for millennials.