Millennials say their passion for plants is not just another trend

SPOKANE, Wash. — The art of planting has been around for ages, but recently, it seems like it’s reached a new high. Local plant sellers said they’re seeing more and more young people coming through their doors these days.

Just this weekend, a new plant boutique, Fern, opened in Spokane’s Brownes Addition growing the plant community even more.

If you’re on social media these days, it’s almost impossible not to find a plant post while you’re scrolling your feed. The hashtag “#plants” has more than 26.2 million posts on the app. Then you have the hashtags, “#plantsofinstagram” and “#plantsmakepeoplehappy” – each boasting millions of posts.

So why the plant trend and why now? 4 News Now talked to some of our Spokane plant community, they say, it’s about much more than social media.

Taking photos, hitting angles. Yes, we’ve all seen plant posts overwhelm our social media apps.

“Houseplants, it’s not just a trend, I really do feel like it’s a new movement of things that are just good for our community,” said Aaron Rivkin, co-creator of Spokane Plant Dads.

People are realizing the benefits you can get from just having one plant.

“Just this little piece, if you zoom up, if you slow down. If you take a look at something, it’s really beautiful,” said Matthias Barker, co-creator of Spokane Plant Dads.

Becoming one with nature.

“I think it’s an easy way for people to connect with the natural world when they’re so immersed in technology,” said Amy Dolomont, co-owner of Fern in Spokane.

Typing on our laptops, tapping our phones, the stimulation can be a lot.

“Just relax in that state, and know that like in that moment, I’m somewhat in control. And so for my own personal mental health, that’s kind of the reason why I started,” Rivkin said.

Plants remind you to take a moment and be still.

“That really makes my heart sing, because gardening is one of those things that is good for people’s connectivity,” said Michael Loundagin, Ritters Garden and Gift.

Loundagin has worked with plants for decades. He said he’s happy the newer generations are getting back to their roots, too.

“Getting back to nature, becoming part of the planet again,” Loundagin said.

Spokane’s newest plant shop, Fern, said the same. People are getting accustomed to this green lifestyle.

“It’s something new to learn everyday,” Dolomont said.

The best part is if you’re not blessed with a green thumb, that’s okay. It’s all about learning.

“It’s a plant with a life, and it has to be taken care of so they want to know how to make it a right,” Loundagin said.

“With plants you’re able to either succeed or not succeed, and when you don’t succeed you can try again,” Rivkin said.

Speaking of trying out planting – if you want to get into it, but maybe don’t know where to start, Fern offers a plant club membership. You pay a $99 annual fee, and that gets you six plants of different kinds for the year. On top of that you get other discounts and it allows you to join a community of people who share the same interest.

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