Instagram always has a way with plants. It continues to be the premier platform for plant enthusiasts to showcase their collections. Several years ago, we would have thought it unlikely to see plant influencers dance around with a sansevieria in their hands, playing viral music in the background on an Instagram story. Nowadays, scrolling through its feed, this is commonplace. One cannot help but marvel at the diversity of the collections.
We're all, definitely, crazy about houseplants and the trend for growing tropical greens indoors isn't about to go anywhere. And, according to horticultural experts and social media trends, certain specific houseplants have captured the hearts and feeds of plant lovers worldwide. So, which are the most popular houseplants you can add to your own plant collection?
Popular Houseplants That Get the Most Love Online
In the age of Instagram, houseplants have gone beyond their role as mere home decor—they have become lifestyle symbols, conversation starters, and even social media celebrities by themselves. From lush, jungle-inspired interiors to gothic-inspired decor, and minimalist Scandinavian setups, plants are the ultimate accessory for curating a photogenic feed. But which ones are actually trending?
1. Plants With Unique Foliage Features
The domination of visually striking plants on Instagram comes as no surprise. Plants with distinct leaf patterns, variegation, and unusual shapes tend to perform exceptionally well on the platform where visual appeal is paramount.
Variegated Monstera Varieties
Every true plant lover has a monstera in their collection. Not because they are among the most expensive houseplants as well, but the Monstera simply knows how to make a lasting impression. This tall, tropical plant, also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, has uniquely perforated leaves and a vibrant green color that is reminiscent of its native jungle environment.
Granted, it’s a beautiful plant, and today, people love a luscious, exotic indoor plant to add to their collection. Did you know the Monstera deliciosa Albo Variegata is likely the most expensive plant in the world ever sold?
Philodendron Varieties
For generations, Philodendrons have served as a mainstay in interior gardens. Philodendron care is easy because if you watch for the signals, the plant will tell you exactly what it needs. Even inexperienced houseplant owners will have no trouble growing philodendron plants because the plants adapt readily to conditions inside the home. A popular philodendron variety is the Philodendron bipinnatifidum. With its beautiful vivid green leaves and vigorous growth, it’s quite the eye-catcher.
Varieties like the Philodendron Birkin, and Philodendron Pink Princess have also secured a top spot on Instagram due to their striking white-striped leaves that create an elegant visual interest. The plant's somewhat compact size makes it ideal for apartment dwellers looking to add a touch of lush green sophistication to their spaces. According to plant experts, Philodendrons are particularly popular among younger gardeners due to their striking leaves, which make them perfect statement pieces for indoor spaces. Their relatively easy care requirements coupled with their photogenic qualities have made them favorites for both plant influencers and casual enthusiasts.
Plants With Variegations
Variegated plants, with their unique color patterns, continue to captivate Instagram users in 2025. Variegated Euphorbias remain high on, practically, everyone's wishlists, though they remain challenging for many due to their cost, which, unlike other rare plants, does not seem to decrease. Their slow growth rate contributes to limited availability and higher prices, but their distinctive appearance makes them highly coveted Instagram subjects.
Similarly, Variegated Monsteras continue to be among the most sought-after houseplants on social media. Their fenestrated leaves with cream or white patches create a dramatic visual effect that photographs beautifully against minimal backgrounds, making them perfect for the aesthetically-driven Instagram platform.
Hybrid Anthuriums
The 'flowers' of the Anthurium are some of the longest-lasting on earth, which means that dazzling color will last in your home for months. Anthuriums symbolize hospitality with their open heart-shaped flower and inspire happiness and abundance, making it no surprise that this beauty makes the list of popular houseplants. Originally found in areas of the Andes Mountain range in Colombia and Ecuador, this beauty enjoys a warm spot in your home with a bit of extra humidity.
Lately, hybrid Anthuriums have gained significant traction on Instagram, particularly those with dark leaves and strappy features. These plants inherit varied traits from their parent plants, making each specimen somewhat unique. Their glossy leaves and occasional flowering make them excellent subjects for close-up photography, explaining their popularity on a visually-driven platform like Instagram.
2. Low-Maintenance Favorites
While aesthetics drive much of Instagram's plant trends, practicality hasn't been forgotten. Plants that combine visual appeal with easy care requirements are quite loved in the social media landscape.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)
The ZZ Plant has become increasingly popular for those with busy lifestyles or limited plant care experience. As hybrid work arrangements continue to thrive, small ZZ plants are increasingly used to enhance desk spaces without overwhelming them. They thrive in low light conditions, making them perfect for home offices, and their glossy, dark green leaves provide a fresh feel to workspaces that translates well to photography.
Their structural form and architectural quality make them particularly appealing for minimalist Instagram aesthetics. The Raven ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’), for instance, is popular for its goth-inspired aesthetics. Its glossy, black-purple foliage adds drama to moody, dark-themed feeds. Plus, it is nearly indestructible.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Snake plants continue to dominate Instagram feeds due to their striking vertical lines and air-purifying properties. Air-purifying plants like the snake plant not only increase the calming aesthetic of biophilic design but also reduce stress and can improve the air quality at home. Their ability to thrive with minimal care while contributing to wellness makes them popular subjects for lifestyle content creators who emphasize both aesthetics and health benefits.
3. Statement Plants and Maximalist Trends
As interior design embraces more maximalist influences, larger statement plants have become Instagram favorites as well. They serve as focal points in home photography.
Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata)
The fiddle leaf fig, including the newer Bambino variety (Ficus Lyrata Bambino), continues to reign as a statement plant. There has been a surge in, and love for statement plants as focal points, including the Kentia palm and fiddle leaf fig. The fiddle leaf fig’s large, violin-shaped leaves, for instance, create dramatic silhouettes that work wonderfully in wider shots of interior spaces.
4. Plants With Interesting Leaves
Plants with colorful and interestingly patterned leaves are prominently featured on the social landscape as well. The rise in popularity of varieties such as Calathea, Maranta, Colocasia, and Hypoestes, cannot be overstated. The Prayer Plant (Calathea Orbifolia) specifically has gained popularity for its round, striped leaves that move throughout the day, creating dynamic content opportunities for a time-lapse photography showcase.
5. Trending Specialty Plants
Several specialty plants have carved out their own niche in the social space, appealing to collectors and those seeking something that looks different from the mainstream.
Hoya Varieties
Hoya plants, often called porcelain flowers or wax plants for their thick, waxy leaves, have established themselves as favorites for many. Mainly known for their distinctive waxy almond-shaped foliage and scented flowers, these plants seem to always scream for their pictures to be taken. Their unusual growth patterns and stunning flower clusters make them highly photogenic. Varieties like Hoya 'Krinkle Kurls' and Hoya 'Sunrise' have developed particularly strong followings on the platform. Their trailing nature and star-shaped flowers provide excellent visual content for plant enthusiasts looking to showcase something beyond typical houseplants.
Dracaena Varieties
Dracaena varieties, particularly the Dracaena Janet Craig and Dracaena Goldieana, have seen a resurgence in the social space as well. The Dracaena Janet Craig is known for its elegant, dark green leaves and air-purifying properties and is experiencing a comeback currently. Meanwhile, Dracaena Goldieana offers a fresh option for those looking to expand their collections with something different and vibrant. These plants’ structural form and architectural quality make them particularly striking in the interiors.
6. Statement Plants for Small Spaces
As urban living continues to influence home designs, smaller plants that maximize greenery in limited spaces are also becoming more popular in different aspects.
Trailing Plants Like Pothos
Trailing houseplants have become Instagram favorites for their ability to add drama to shelves, windowsills, and corners. Plants like Pothos (devil's ivy) are ideal for creating vertical greenery or layering shelves. An undemanding plant that requires little to no care, Pothos grows well whether stuck in a dark cubicle or is bathed in sunlight in your spacious office, and even when you forget to water it. You can place your pothos plant in soil or a vase with water, as this plant seems to thrive no matter the circumstances.
Just keep in mind that this plant is poisonous, so hold back on petting your plant, as it could cause a skin rash. You can easily gauge what kind of care it needs by looking at it; yellow leaves mean your pothos plant is overwatered, while a droopy plant is begging you for a drink. Nonetheless, they generally bring texture and depth to your space and are a little quirky too. Their cascading vines easily create visually interesting compositions that perform well in interior spaces.
Fern
It's no wonder the fern made the list of popular houseplants on Instagram. They do not only look great with their lush leaves, but there are also lots of species to choose from within the fern family. Ferns are often thought to be at home in mild, rainy climates, but they are actually a diverse family of ancient, highly adaptable plants, including several that grow in surprisingly difficult conditions. Ferns have an image of being difficult-to-care-for plants, but that couldn't be less true. You can learn more about ferns in the article: '7 Spectacular Ferns You’ll Want to Add to Your Houseplant Collection'.
Peperomia
Resembling the fan-favorite rubber plant, just tinier, Peperomia are plants in the peppercorn family, Piperaceae. Peperomia are wonderful plants to grow indoors as they have so many features that make them ideal houseplants. With a great variety of beautiful foliage, and tolerating a wide range of growing conditions, they are ideal for anyone looking to expand their collection of houseplants.
Cactus
By far one of the most popular houseplants on Instagram, cactus could easily take the first spot on the list. They do not only look great in a picture but are also relatively easy to care for. The cactus is a succulent, which means it stores water in its stems, roots, and leaves. Even if it doesn't rain for a long time, the plant still has water saved up to help it grow. Thanks to this, the cactus can live for over a year without rain!
Other Popular Houseplants
There are many other popular houseplants you'd add to these. And, if you want something other than what everyone already has? How about you check out these pink houseplants that add a pop of color? Or maybe you will find your perfect plant baby among these 10 of the most wanted rare houseplants.
Feature image by @veria.13, header image by nestplantstudio
