Shifts in Home Plant Decor: A Look at Five Outdated Trends in Green Interiors, According to an Expert in Horticulture for the Year 2025
In the realm of houseplant trends, some popular ideas from yesteryears won't make the cut for 2025. We tapped a green thumb guru, Dom Butler from Plant Drop, to spill the tea on outdated trends that are better left behind.
1. Sayonara to Olive Trees Indoors
Who doesn't love the tall, stately olive trees? Placed strategically in the living room or entryway, they instantly add an air of sophistication. But Dom Butler, the brains behind Plant Drop, says we might be doing it wrong.
"Olive trees are outdoor plants hailing from Mediterranean regions. They require ventilation and direct sunlight that can only be attained outside," he notes. "While these trees look magnificent indoors, they won't survive beyond six months when placed inside. Additionally, styling them indoors misleads amateur indoor gardeners into believing growing them indoors is viable, leading them to invest in a lost cause."
Instead of snagging olive trees, opt for tall indoor trees that thrive inside.
2. Farewell to Fake Plants
Dom Butler bids adieu to fake plants, which had their moment in 2024. While they might seem ideal - no watering, no care, no loss - Dom thinks they lack the genuine beauty of living plants.
"They remain stagnant, without the ability to evolve over time. No matter how authentic they look, they cannot compete with the joy and growth of real plants," he says.
If you have a couple of fake plants dotted around your home, Dom's words serve as a kick in the pants to embark on your gardening journey. Start with low-maintenance houseplants and soon enough, you'll be proudly displaying a lush indoor jungle full of high-maintenance houseplants.
3. Adios to Moisture Meters
Moisture meters, a plant trend from last year, are on Dom's hit list. "They're inaccurate and unhelpful. Touching the soil to feel its moistness is the best way to determine watering needs," he explains.
In addition to questioning their accuracy, Dom also finds moisture meters to be a visual nuisance. "Every time I see a moisture meter peeking out behind the foliage, I can't help but feel that it diminishes the plant's natural beauty," he admits.
If you're worried about watering your houseplants without a moisture meter, trust your instincts. Simply touch the soil to ensure it's dry before watering.
4. Later to Living Walls
Dom thinks it's time to put an end to living walls in 2025. Although they were once the epitome of horticultural cool, they've become overly mainstream and are losing their uniqueness.
"Every high street store boasts one. They no longer possess a distinctive quality and are starting to feel like corporate office cliches," he laments. "They offer little variety and are expensive to install and maintain."
Instead of living walls, Dom suggests returning to the basics. "A well-care-for trailing plant in a pot can do the trick. For a more striking statement, consider indoor plant corners," he hints.
5. Au Revoir to Naming Plants with Human Names
According to Dom, human names for plants are no longer as charming as they once were. "While it's adorable the first time it's done, it has become a marketing tactic. It can also seem like dumbing down," he remarks.
He suggests letting the owner choose a name for the plant that holds a personal meaning. "The creative license lies with the owner, but I prefer to avoid human names for plants in 2025," he concludes.
Plants for 2025
Price: £8, Size: 25 to 35 cm
Monstera plants with their distinctive perforated leaves effortlessly elevate any space. Embrace their natural beauty by adorning them minimally.
Price: £8, Size: 25 to 35 cm
Money trees boast striking glossy leaves and are classified as Feng Shui-friendly. They're the perfect houseplant to bring luck and good energy into your home.
Price: £18, Pot Size: 12 cm
Fiddle leaf fig plants require some TLC but their stylish silhouettes make the effort worthwhile. They are a popular choice among chic houseplant enthusiasts.
So let's raise a glass to parting ways with these outdated plant trends and usher in a new era of fresh, modern interior green spaces. Embrace the joy of growing and nurturing living plants in 2025!
- The days of Olive Trees indoors seem numbered, as Dom Butler argues they are not designed for indoor living and mislead novice indoor gardeners into believing they can grow them indoors successfully. A better option would be to opt for tall indoor trees that thrive in an indoor environment.
- Fake plants, once popular, are being replaced by living plants, according to Dom Butler. He believes that while fake plants may seem convenient, they lack the beauty and growth of real plants compared to low-maintenance houseplants.
- Dom Butler also thinks that moisture meters, which were a trend in the previous year, are inaccurate and unhelpful. He suggests relying on the tactile method of feeling the soil's moistness to determine watering needs, as it is the most accurate way to assess the moisture content.
- In 2025, Dom thinks it's time to bid farewell to living walls, which he believes have become overly mainstream and lack uniqueness. Instead, he suggests focusing on smaller, individually cared-for trailing plants in pots or indoor plant corners for a more striking, personalized statement.
- Naming plants with human names is another trend that Dom believes is losing its charm. He proposes allowing the owner to choose a personal name for their plant instead, abandoning the traditional marketing tactic of human names for plants.
For home and garden enthusiasts in 2025, consider adding the Monstera plant (£8, Size 25 to 35 cm) or the Money tree (£8, Size 25 to 35 cm) for a stylish and Feng Shui-friendly touch. For a chic houseplant enthusiast, a Fiddle leaf fig plant (£18, Pot Size 12 cm) is a popular choice, requiring some maintenance but boasting a stylish silhouette. Embrace the joys of growing and nurturing living plants in 2025!
