There’s no doubt that the houseplant hobby has blown up in the past few years. And with this popularity comes an increased demand for the rare and the unusual. Check out some of the most coveted plants that everyone seems to be talking about on social media.
The Hottest Plants on Social Media Right Now
Make room on your wish list! We’ve collected a list of the most talked-about plants of the season, including rare colors, striking leaves, and new trends.
Variegated Monsteras
The iconic shape of the Monstera leaf has already taken over as the main symbol of today’s plant craze, and its appeal is only magnified by the color variations seen in the gorgeous leaves of these high-demand variants.
They sell for hundreds of dollars, sometimes even just for a single leaf cutting, with the largest plants going for thousands on auction sites.
The jaw-dropping ‘Albo Variegata’
The highest demand is currently for the Monstera Deliciosa ‘Albo Variegata’, which sprouts “half moon” leaves with a solid line dividing bright green and pure white halves, and for the Monstera deliciosa ‘Thai Constellation’, which features a speckled or marbled look in its white-and-green leaves.
A large ‘Thai Constellation’ leaf
All variegated varieties are destined to be expensive and rare, not only due to demand, but because they grow more slowly than the all-green Monstera.
This is because the white portion of each leaf contains no chlorophyll, and thus barely contributes no nutrients to the growth of the plant. This makes them not only slow-growers, but also a bit more finicky and difficult to care for than the average plant.
None of this deters people from spending exorbitant amounts on this striking addition to their collections.
Plants With Fenestrated Leaves
Speaking of iconic leaves, the demand is high right now for any species with fenestrated leaves. “Fenestrations” are those holes and slits that give some tropical leaves such a distinctive shape.
For people who love that shape but aren’t crazy about the size or expense of a Monstera Deliciosa (or who don’t want to wait for the plant to grow large enough to develop those gorgeous fenestrations), the Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma is quickly emerging as a popular choice.
A potted Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma
Sometimes called the “Mini Monstera” or Philodendron “Mini Ginny,” this plant is actually from an entirely different genus, although its care needs are very similar to those other, more-well-known plant types.
The leaves of this plant are both fenestrated and small, each one coming out the size of a hand or less no matter how mature this plant gets. It grows as a vine, creating gorgeous possibilities for interior design.
Trained to grow up a pole, the Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma can create a vertical accent for any room with bright indirect light
Pink Philodendrons
While the Philodendron has been a mainstay in the houseplant world for generations, today’s plant lovers are craving the unique look of varieties with different color patterns on the leaves — and pink is by far the hottest color.
The Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ has been popular since it was created in the 1970s, and variants such as the Philodendron ‘White Princess’, which grows both white and pink variegation, and the ‘Strawberry Shake’, featuring a rare quadricolor variegation with orange, pink, and yellow all possible on the same plant, are becoming one of the hottest new trends among Instagram influencers.
The leaves of the Pink Princess Philodendron show a variegation pattern against a dark, almost black leaf
Philodendrons with pink leaves became so popular in the past few years that they have even spawned fakes and scams, so beware.
The ‘Pink Congo’ is a green Philodendron dosed with ethylene, which temporarily turns the leaves fully pink. Unfortunately, these leaves will revert to green a short time after an unsuspecting customer takes one home.
Natural plant variegation typically does not involve the whole leaf (remember green means chlorophyll, which keeps a plant alive).
Moonshine Sansevieria
The snake plant has enjoyed skyrocketing popularity in interior design lately, and this easy-care plant is often a newbie’s very first purchase when entering the houseplant hobby.
This doesn’t mean, however, that experienced plant lovers look down on the plant, especially when there are so many choices in leaf color and pattern.
A pale Moonshine Sansevieria, center, in front of several other varieties of the Snake Plant
The hottest snake plant right now is the Moonshine Sansevieria. Its uniquely pale leaves, sage green in color, provide a beautiful contrast to the richer foliage of most other plants.
Raven ZZ plant
Another mainstay of the easy-care houseplant world, the ZZ plant has a hot new little sibling: Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Dowon’ the Raven ZZ.
The Raven ZZ plant’s leaves start off as electric green, then mature into a rich, deep color that contrasts starkly with the standard form of this plant.
A new twist on an old favorite is always a delight, and on social media people love showing off their new finds!
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Possibly the reigning queen of the indoor jungle, the giant leaves of this ficus tree are used to fill indoor spaces with life and rich green color.
Look closely at the indoor jungle photos posted to Instagram and Twitter, and you’ll notice that a full, majestic Fiddle Leaf Fig is often creating much of the effect of lushness and greenery in the background.
Perhaps it is their reputation for being finicky and difficult to care for that keeps them reigning supreme: Keeping one of these happy and thriving in their home may provide the ultimate proof that a “plant influencer” is truly an expert.