Plant Power
Biophilic home design has become a big hit as humans continue to seek connection to nature to thrive. With the home serving so many purposes, from a place to rest and relax to work and work out, creating energy that grounds us within its walls is essential for ensuring we feel calm yet inspired. Houseplants are one of the easiest ways to add that positive, transitional energy. As we dig into a new year, adding fresh touches like a new plant to the home offers a simple and powerful way to liven things up. Summer Rayne Oakes, founder of Homestead Brooklyn, host of YouTube's Plant One On Me , and author of How to Make a Plant Love You weighed in on the trendiest houseplants you can expect to see everywhere in 2021.
Dracaena masoniana
"Formerly known as Sansevieria masoniana and commonly known as whale fin snake plant, this is a broad-leaved snake plant with nice mottling, which has been a draw for folks for several years now," says Oakes. "If you can score one for a more affordable price at a big box store, then that's a coup. The variegated one with yellow vertical stripes is highly sought after."
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Dracaena 'Cleopatra'
This low-lying, birds-nest-shape snake plant will bring unique life to a space in the home with its gorgeous leaf patterns. This indoor workhorse survives in low light levels, but grows best in filtered light. Newbies to the plant world will appreciate its ability to handle low humidity, air conditioning, and infrequent care.
Dracaena 'Star Canary'
Vibrant hues aren't just for flowers. "This one looks as if it has a bright, sunny splash in the center radiating out to green," says Oakes. This will be a popular houseplant for those looking to add a cheery touch to their space.
Related: 14 of the Fastest Growing Houseplants for a Nearly Instant Indoor Garden
Alocasia 'Maharani'
The relaxed look of this silvery-green plant makes it a must for creating coziness in the home. "This cultivated variety of Alocasia has more shield-shaped leaves that are quite textured and thick," says Oakes. Because it requires extra humidity, its typical weekly watering should be increased to every 2 to 3 days during bouts of intense dryness.
Anthurium 'Ace of Spades'
According to Oakes, this houseplant can be hard to find in brick-and-mortar garden stores because it often sells out online first. The heart-shape, velvety characteristics of this Anthurium make it ideal decor for adding leafy luxury to any space.
Anthurium radicans
"This pebbly-leaved, heart-shape Anthurium is getting quite popular," says Oakes. Symbolizing hospitality, the plant is a showstopper for the home with its bullate and cordate leaves.
Related: The One Rule of (Green) Thumb When Decorating with Houseplants
Anthurium crystallinum
Moody houseplants are on trend in 2021. "There's a dark form of this species that people particularly like," says Oakes. The Aroid plants burst with intensity from their stunning leaves, ranging from nearly black with velvety leaves to bright red hues.
Scindapsus pictus 'Jade Satin'
"There have been different cultivars of S. pictus that have been coming out on the market, including more silvery flecked ones (e.g., Silvery Ann), but this one has been selected for little to no silver flecking and has a very deep, satiny green leaf," says Oakes. The plant can handle low to bright, indirect light, and needs to be watered when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil dries out.
Scindapsus treubii 'Moonlight'
A plant that's hard to come by makes it all the more enticing in the home. "This is a silvery-leaved, shingling Aroid that has been hitting the market since 2019, but is still harder to get one's hands on," says Oakes.
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Scindapsus treubii 'Dark Form'
The dark-leaved form of a shingling Aroid is a rare houseplant that’s easy to grow and thrives in low-light environments. "I happened to find one on the off-chance several years ago in Chicago and picked it up. Some cuttings have started to make their way and are being put into cultivation here and there," says Oakes.
Spathiphyllum 'Picasso'
This highly sought after houseplant "is a peace lily that looks as if it were splashed with white paint," says Oakes. It can multiply or clump up nicely over the years, making it a bountiful sight in the home.
Syngonium 'Pink Splash'
Add a pop of pink to your home with one of the more uncommon Syngoniums. "An arrowhead vine plant that has beautiful pastel pink splashes on its leaves," it prefers soil to dry out before watering and bright, indirect light.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Variegata'
Also known as the ZZ plant, this yellow-and-green variegated version is one of the more popular houseplants according to Oakes. It’s an easy-to-grow houseplant that thrives in nearly any indoor setting.
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Amydrium sp.
"There are some varieties coming out that are more silver, but both silver and green ones are popular," says Oakes. Its crocodile-like texture and fenestration and lobes make it a unique display in the home. The plant prefers medium light but can tolerate low light.
Hoya kerrii 'Splash'
"This is the sweetheart hoya that is popular around Valentine's Day for its heart-shaped leaves," says Oakes. Though it can be found in solid green, ones with silver speckles are especially popular at the moment. The draping vine produces clusters of star-shape, waxy flowers.
Begonia luxurians
This begonia has finger-like leaves and a beautiful growth habit, according to Oakes. The unusual leaves make it a conversation starter perfect for dressing up your space. In late spring through summer, expect an emergence of plumes of white flowers.
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