These Are the Most Popular Houseplants in America

While the weather, geography, and lifestyles in Ohio and Hawaii are completely different, these two states have one important thing in common: houseplants. 

The community-based organization All About Gardening recently analyzed data from Google Trends to determine the most commonly searched houseplant in every U.S. state. The results cover the past five years, which includes the start of the pandemic, when indoor greenery significantly boosted our collective mental health. “You may see some new plants rise in popularity quickly when stunning new varieties are produced,” says Jason White, managing editor of All About Gardening. “But overall, the most popular plants on this list are mainstays for a reason.”

Curious about how your favorite plant measured up or wondering about your region’s preference? If this analysis shows us anything, it’s that we may have more similarities than we thought.

The top three most popular plants statewide

According to Google, the most popular houseplant search in America is the Monstera deliciosa, otherwise known as the Swiss cheese plant. This tropical beauty, which typically has funky natural leaf holes, was the most widely searched houseplant across 16 states, including Ohio, Hawaii, New York, and California. “They can thrive in bright rooms, on shelves, and make a great desk plant for an office that has plenty of windows,” Jason adds, noting that they grow best with bright and indirect light.

The fiddle-leaf fig, scientifically known as Ficus lyrata, was in high demand in seven states, including Wisconsin, Idaho, and Oklahoma. Jason tells Clever that this variety tends to grow best next to a window that allows the sun directly inside. “They’re great potted floor plants next to a front door entryway,” he adds.

On the west side of the country, the Chinese money plant, formally known as Pilea peperomioides, was a big hit. Residents in Oregon, Nevada, and Washington, were searching for it more than any other plant, and it was also the favorite in Missouri, Georgia, and North Dakota. Jason assures anyone struggling to keep their plants alive that these varieties can “take a bit of neglect.” Just don’t put them in direct light, as they don’t tolerate it too well. This small but mighty greenery even made it onto our 2019 holiday gift guide, so, if you ask us, these populations have pretty good taste.

Plants with humble, but dedicated followings

While not as popular across the entire country, the following plants had solid followings in specific states. Louisiana, Maryland, and Michigan searched for the Senecio rowleyanus, also known as a string of pearls, most often. Illinois, Montana, and New Jersey liked the Chlorophytum comosum, commonly known as the spider plant. In our humble opinion, either of these options is great if you’re looking to step up your hanging plant game.

The Calatheas, which is known to promote a better indoor environment and purify the air, was the most commonly searched houseplant in Texas, Arizona, and Colorado. Speaking of plants with benefits other than just aesthetics, if you are prone to sunburn, follow Delaware and Mississippi’s lead and start researching Aloe vera plants. It’s not too surprising that two coastal states would be on the hunt for a succulent with anti-inflammatory juice just inside the leaves.

Rhode Island and Wyoming spent the past few years obsessed with bamboo plants, while Maine and New Mexico searched for the Dracaena fragrans plant. The Guiana chestnut plant, commonly referred to as a money tree, was the top searched houseplant in Kentucky and Nebraska, and, according to Google searches, if you walked into a home in Pennsylvania or Virginia, you’d most likely find the Sansevieria plant, or a snake plant.

Two states, South Dakota and Florida, forged their own plant paths entirely. Devil’s ivy and the prayer plant were the respective favorites in these two territories.

Well-loved all around

As is evident from the analyzed data, there’s not a strong, direct correlation between location and a state’s preference in terms of houseplants. “You could assume that plants like the Dracaena and Calatheas have a more ‘southwest’ feel, which is why they are popular in the southwestern states,” Jason explains, but otherwise it might just come down to preference.

He suggests that the three most popular houseplants: the Swiss cheese plant, fiddle-leaf fig, and the Chinese money plant, achieved this status due to their ​​availability, affordability, and the fact that they’re all easy to care for in comparison to other popular varieties.

Overall, the plants that made the list tend to be well-loved all around and make great additions to your indoor garden regardless of where you live. “I believe these houseplants will remain popular,” Jason concludes. “​​It’s really hard to go wrong with a Monstera.”