Origins
Succulents - drought-tolerant plants with thick, fleshy leaves - became the first major houseplant trend of the Instagram era (2012-2016), predating the tropical houseplant boom.
Early Pinterest/Instagram Era (2012-2015)
Why succulents dominated:
- Low-maintenance (ideal for busy millennials)
- Affordable ($2-5 per small plant)
- Endless variety (shapes, colors, textures)
- DIY-friendly (arrangements, terrariums, vertical gardens)
- Drought-tolerant (perceived as easy)
Instagram growth: 100K posts (2012) → 5M+ posts (2016) → 20M+ posts (2020).
Succulent Arrangement Trend (2013-2017)
Succulents popularized DIY plant crafts:
- Succulent wreaths ($40-80)
- Teacup/teapot arrangements
- Vertical wall gardens
- Terrarium building kits ($20-60)
- Wedding favors (succulent in pot with ribbon)
The Overwatering Problem
Despite “low-maintenance” reputation, succulents had a 50%+ failure rate among beginners:
- Overwatering (most common cause of death)
- Insufficient light (stretching/etiolation)
- Poor drainage (rot)
“How to save a dying succulent” became a top Google search 2015-2018.
Rare Succulent Boom (2017-2020)
As succulents became common, collectors sought rare species:
- Echeveria ‘Black Prince’ ($15-30)
- Haworthia cooperi ($20-40)
- Lithops (“living stones,” $5-15 each)
- Variegated succulents ($25-100+)
Cultural Shift to Tropicals (2018+)
By 2018, plant parents shifted from succulents to tropical foliage (Monstera, Pothos, Philodendron) - easier to care for indoors despite needing more water.
Legacy
Succulents were the training wheels for the 2015-2020 houseplant boom. They taught millions about propagation, soil, light, and watering before they graduated to tropicals.
Sources
- Pinterest trend data (2012-2017)
- Mountain Crest Gardens sales analytics (2013-2020)
- “The Succulent Craze” (Los Angeles Times, 2016)