What is the next BIG thing in houseplant trends?

Aeschynanthus 'Big Apple'

 

What’s the next Big thing in houseplant trends?

 

            The booming houseplant trend is dominated by foliage plants.

 

            Although it seems like there is an infinite number of foliage houseplants to choose from, sooner or later, customers will get bored.

 

Garden center managers do not want bored buyers --- they will stop coming into the store looking for interesting plants.

 

            So, what’s next?

 

            We know what it is.

 

            Flowering houseplants.

 

            You know, we have done this before.  The last houseplant boom added flowering plants into the mix, and it worked.

 

            All those young people who have found indoor plants to be satisfying were smart to start with Pothos, ZZ plants and other indestructible’s.

 

            Now, some adventurous indoor growers will want to move up to houseplants that flower.

 

            We have some already --- African Violets, Phalaenopsis Orchids, Crown of Thorns, Begonias.

 

            All along we have had holiday flowers, but they get thrown away.  We want the sustainable ones that potentially can flower repeatedly with higher hobby skill --- Christmas Cactus, Aeschynanthus ‘Big Apple’, Sinningia ‘Prudence Risley’ and all other Gesneriads.

There is no end in sight !

  Don't Stop

There is no end in sight !  The demand for houseplants is on an upward path.  Every time we think that every plant lover is satisfied, we get giant orders from our Independent Garden Center customers.  I get requests from new plant shop operators about every day.

 

On March 21, we stopped taking new customers because our weekly supply quickly sold out.  Now, we have more variety and more plants, so we are opening up sales to new customers.

 

With our added small hanging baskets with new different varieties, we have a longer live inventory list.  Additionally, our supply line has caught up a little bit and incoming starter plants are actually showing up.

 

We are inviting in our waiting list and hope to be able to absorb the new demand.

 

Producing interesting plants is fun and seeing a new generation of indoor gardeners appreciate them is rewarding.

The Best Marketing Strategy

'wittle' Hanging Basket

 

            “The best marketing strategy is to create a great product!”

                                    Josh Spector

 

            “If you build it, they will come.”

Field of Dreams

 

 

Every new product designer expects their creation to be immediately accepted and that it will take over the World.

 

We already know that our 10 cm ‘wittle’ hanging basket meets a need of indoor gardeners.  It’s cute and can fill small spaces at the window.

 

Our Independent Garden Center (IGC) customers are finding them easy to sell when displayed in their houseplant sections.

 

Are they selling themselves?  It’s hard to know.  We’re selling about 1,000 per week, so that’s a good sign.

 

What’s the next move to sell more?

 

Increase availability with more and different varieties.  Have them in more stores.

 

Why does Coke dominate the drink world?  Ubiquity.  Coke is everywhere.

 

Will ‘wittle’ hanging baskets be everywhere?  Unlikely.

 

Go to your local IGC and ask for one.

How could you not?

Primulina 'Xuan's Party Dress'

 

           This Primulina ‘Xuan’s Party Dress’ is flowering in my West kitchen window.

 

            It has been there for several years and flowers 2-3 times a year.  I call it a success.

 

            How could you not want one?

When is enough, too many?

Baby Bears are cute

When is enough, too many?

 

            A rare set of events has been happening in the commercial houseplant business.  There are too many buyers and not enough sellers.  This almost never happens.

 

            Look at other industries.  When the oil price goes up, the wells pump more crude oil.  When the price of gas goes down, the wells stop drilling and wait for the next price change.

 

            Greenhouse production space can relatively easily convert from Spring plants or flowering plants to houseplants.  However, the demand for all plants is so strong, there is little need for changing crops.

 

            The demand side for houseplants is running its own exponential run-away demand curve--- straight up.  Homeowners have discovered the decorative value of greenery with houseplants.

 

            The supply is stretched from both ends.

 

            Our delightful record sales are near the breaking point.

 

            I’ve decided to not accept any new customers.  We will start a waiting list of interested buyers until our situation changes.

 

Question deadline has been extended

 

                                   

                                       Elusive but worth it

No one has answered my question:  What is the next new ‘hot’ plants?

 

The problem could be: 1.  No one knows.  2.  No one sees my blog, but if they did, they would suggest 10 plants.  3.  Several people know the answer but want to keep it to themselves to steal the market.

 

I’ve seen top plant lists in trade magazines.  Many if these plants don’t fit into our small plant category, so don’t help.

 

Maybe, we are already growing the plant that will run away with the internet influencers.

 

We will pay attention.

 

Please comment with your plant selection.

I have a vision...

                                            'wittle' hanging houseplants in production

            I have a vision (dream was taken) of how ‘wittle’ hanging houseplants can be sold.

 

            I have watched the eager buyers at Morris Farm Market on the way to the Outerbanks, North Carolina.  They load up wagons with cake, pies, vegetables, honey, candy, nuts, watermelon, and other good things.

 

            If there were a display of ‘Wittle’ hanging houseplants fully stocked with assorted houseplants, they could fly out of there.

 

            Many vacationers stop there coming and going, so if they are curious going in, they will buy a basket or two on the way home.

 

            I’m assuming most sales are made on the weekends, lining up with the weekly schedule of the beach rentals.

 

            How many could be sold in a weekend?

 

            At the rate they must restock everything else, it should be a lot.