Garden Media Group’s 2025 Garden Trends Report is hot off the (digital) press! In it is a trend that pertains hyper-specifically to houseplants—so we should be aware of it before it catches us unprepared.

The fascination with houseplants in 2025 and beyond will be redefined by a growing trend among people who are gravitating towards plants with strikingly deep fenestrations. GMG calls this trend Holy Moly, and it spotlights exotic indoor varieties like the Monstera Esqueleto, Philodendron Tortum and Schefflera alpina.

Monstera Esqueleto

Yes, these are decorative plants, but they also hold a certain status indicating one is an “expert plant parent.” These plants, with their intricate leaf patterns and dramatic appearances, show off not just the plants, but also the spaces behind the plants. The deeper and more pronounced the fenestrations, the more coveted the plant becomes. Younger plant fans, in particular, are appreciating the unique nature of these species, and their ability to increase what could be called their “bookshelf wealth.”

Thoughts on this trend? Have you seen it coming? Do you see it sticking around? Drop me a note about it HERE.

We are back with another edition of the irregularly occurring segment where we provide pointers about growing a particular crop to folks who may not have grown it previously. Today’s featured crop is Dracaena marginata, or Dragon Tree. 

While fenestrated leaves might be the Holy Grail for houseplant aficionados, Dracaenas are the workhorses of interiorscapes, offices and student dorm rooms nationwide. Dracaena marginata, or Dragon Tree, is a small indoor-appropriate tree with elegant long and thin red-edged leaves. The lower leaves gradually fall away to reveal a thin trunk. Looking good on its own, it’s also a “thriller” when surrounded by a grouping of other houseplants of varying heights.

And did you know it’s a member of the Asparagaceae? And it’s from Madagascar? Cool on both counts!

From the following information, you should be on your way to growing young plants from unrooted cuttings, rooted cuttings and air layers.

Total Crop Time from Input to Finish: 11-12 weeks from input to finish, depending on input.
Moisture: 2.5-3 while in a liner
pH: 5.5-6.0
EC: 1.5-1.8
Temperature: 60-85F
Humidity: Minimum 70%
Light level: For liner, 1,000-1,500 f.c.; For finished product, 2,5000-3,500 f.c.
Pests and such: Mealy Bugs, Spider Mites, Scales, Thrips, Leaf Spot, Fusarium Leaf Spot, Soft Rot
Stage 1: 5-7 weeks for URC in a 72-cell tray
Stage 2: 1-3 cuttings, air layer or rooted cuttings per 3- to 16-in. pot. Finish time from liner/plug to finished product will be 8-12 weeks.

Dracaena marginata varieties (left to right) Kiwi, Green and Tricolor

As you can see from the above photo, there are some different varieties from which to choose. This information was graciously shared by InVerde Foliage’s Estuardo Arriaga. He knows what he’s talking about! Contact InVerde Foliage if you have any propagation questions.

Call me finicky (I prefer the term “particular”), but I like tropicals and houseplants that will provide me with blooms now and again. That’s why when Little Prince of Oregon’s weekly email came through with Parrot Heliconia at the very top, I was thrilled.

Parrot Heliconia, aka Parakeet Heliconia

The message from Little Prince is that their Heliconia psittacorum are starting to bloom. Gorgeous, right? This clumping tropical perennial makes an awesome patio plant. And from what I read about it, Parrot Heliconia has a recurring bloom period, not just summer. For folks in extended warm season regions, this flowering plant would fit right in for this time of year as its red and yellow flowers kinda-sorta look like fall foliage.

Here’s a LINK to Little Prince’s description of it. And if you grow it or retail H. psittacorum, let me know how it does for you—drop me a note about it HERE.

Why have I never hopped on a Green Plants for Green Buildings Supporter Call? They are so informative! GPGB’s most recently e-newsletter included information about these regular calls that are recaps of GPGB’s recent activities, as well as the “what I’ve learned since we last spoke” reviews from the video call’s host, Jan Goodman of Cityscapes in Boston, Massachusetts. The July Supporter Call had a terrific recap of the “Women Entrepreneurs: Trends in Plantscape Design, Tech, Products and Holiday Décor” seminar that was held at Cultivate’24.

I had attempted my own recap in Tropical Topics a few weeks ago (find that HERE), but this Supporter Call recap includes photos and Jan—one of the session’s original presenters—so she’s that much better at summarizing. You can watch the video of that July Supporter Call HERE.

The next GPGB Supporter Call is all about cultivating horticultural hospitality in your business! This is something that any horticulture business can take pointers from, not just interiorscapers. Join hosts Jan Goodman and Mike Senneff as they discuss takeaways on excellent service from industry conferences such as Cultivate, SHRM and the Global Leadership Summit.

Join the virtual conversation on Wednesday, September 25 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern via Zoom at THIS LINK.