Whether it’s a Millennial chasing the latest rare species or a beginner looking to add greenery and coziness to their homes, they constitute 66% of American households that own at least one houseplant.

The mention of Millenials is not accidental, as 7 in 10 consider themselves to be plant parents. This kind of parenthood requires less work and responsibility than taking care of actual children or pets and still offers a sense of joy and purpose.

These definitely aren’t the only benefits that houseplants provide. They are good for our health too, as not only do they freshen up the air but also get rid of harmful toxins. NASA has found that indoor greenery can remove up to 87% of air pollutants in 24 hours. 

In addition, studies have shown that plants can improve concentration and productivity by up to 15%. They reduce stress and boost your mood as well, making them the perfect adornment for your workspace, too. The indoor greenery overall increases happiness and life satisfaction. One study even revealed that purple and green plants were especially effective at reducing negative feelings.

They “give us a little bit of predictability when things are uncertain,” says Gary L. Altman, associate director of the horticultural therapy program at Rutgers. “There’s an evolutionary response when you see green—it’s almost like you created yourself a sanctuary. It reduces feelings of fear and anxiety, and even if you’re angry, it’ll calm you down.”

These benefits seemed to attract more people than usual during the pandemic, when Americans spent $8.5 billion more on plat-related items in 2020 than in 2019. Some communities even blossomed on social media, like #PlantTok on TikTok, uniting plant parents and making it easier to share useful tips.

"The fascination with houseplants stems from people wanting to reconnect with nature," says Emma Sibley, London Terrariums’ owner "Throughout lockdowns, people were glued to their screens while working from home, unable to be in nature." Those who introduced plants into their lives during that period had a way to disconnect from screentime and look after something that needed them.

That is not to say that pet parents got away without struggling a bit while juggling their responsibilities. As data shows, 48% of Millennials were troubled by their plant care. And on average, the ‘avocado toast’ generation has unalived 7 houseplants, with 65% calling themselves ‘plant murderers.’

A study that analyzed Google searches found that the most common plant problems that people faced were the yellowing and browning of leaves. Interestingly, pest-related problems were relatively unusual among plant parents. The research also revealed that the most problematic plant of them all was the fiddle leaf fig, with 14.7% of all searches associated with this species naming a problem.

If you’re a beginner and want a smoother and more victimless transition into plant parenthood, the experts recommend going with some kind of pothos. They basically thrive on neglect (I can second this). Meaning that they can go a long time without water, grow in bright or dimly lit spaces, and aren’t fazed by low humidity. Some other great options include a snake or spider plant, as well as various succulents and cacti.

For more gorgeous and low-maintenance greenery, don’t forget to check out our previous publication on beautiful plants with low effort and how to care for them.