Plants

The Most Popular Houseplant in Each State

And we bet you have some of them, too.

April 28, 2022

If it seems like literally everyone has a monstera plant, well, you wouldn’t be totally wrong. In fact, it’s the most popular houseplant in 16 states, according to All About Gardening, which analyzed Google Trends data from the last five years to determine which houseplant each state had searched for the most.

After the monstera, also known as the Swiss cheese plant, the next most popular plant, according to the study, was the fiddle-leaf fig with seven states searching for it, followed by the Chinese money plant with six states. Surprisingly, the hardy snake plant (one of our personal faves) was the most popular in just two states. The most popular plants in each state seemed to have surprisingly little regionality, indicating that plant parents searched for plants based on their own personal preferences, and less so based on the specific climate conditions of an area.

Here are the most popular houseplants in each state, and if you’re wanting to add another to your mix, here are our favorite places to shop for plants.


Monstera

Photo by Bloomscape

This easy-to-grow favorite likes bright, indirect sunlight, and enjoys massive popularity from 16 states around the country.

  1. Alaska
  2. Arkansas
  3. California
  4. Connecticut
  5. Hawaii
  6. Indiana
  7. Kansas
  8. Massachusetts
  9. Minnesota
  10. New Hampshire
  11. New York
  12. North Carolina
  13. Ohio
  14. Utah
  15. Vermont
  16. West Virginia

Fiddle-Leaf Fig

Photo by Bloomscape

This ficus can be a bit temperamental, but give it a good soak every two weeks and lots of indirect sunlight, and it'll be happy as a clam.

  1. Alabama
  2. Wisconsin
  3. Idaho
  4. Iowa
  5. Oklahoma
  6. South Carolina
  7. Tennessee

Chinese money plant

Photo by Horti

Originally from southern China, this plant with coin-shaped leaves and thin stems is as attractive as it is easy to care for. Cuter still, new leaves are called pups!

  1. Missouri
  2. Nevada
  3. Georgia
  4. North Dakota
  5. Orgeon
  6. Washington

Calathea

Photo by Bloomscape

There are many species of calathea (including the prayer plant that shows up later in this list) and most have broad leaves with colorful variegation for unexpected pops of color.

  1. Arizona
  2. Colorado
  3. Texas

String of Pearls

Photo by Bloomscape

A pretty vining succulent that needs very little watering, the string-of-pearls—an accurate description—brightens the higher-up spaces of the home.

  1. Louisiana
  2. Maryland
  3. Michigan

Spider Plant

Photo by Terrain

This low-maintenance plant constantly creates offspring, making it easy and fun to send guests or visitors away with a little gift. Don't worry, this is one spider that you won't mind hanging around your house.

  1. Illinois
  2. Montana
  3. New Jersey

Bamboo

Photo by Bloomscape

With its impressive height and large, fluttery leaves, the bamboo palm exudes a sense of calm and peacefulness for folks in two states.

  1. Rhode Island
  2. Wyoming

Dracaena Fragrans

Photo by Rooted

Like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, this dracaena is unique and can flower with the right conditions. When it does, you'll see why it's named how it is.

  1. Maine
  2. New Mexico

Money Tree

Photo by Bloomscape

The pet-friendly money tree is said to bring you wealth and good fortune, even for furry friends who can be major troublemakers.

  1. Kentucky
  2. Nebraska

Snake Plant

Photo by Amazon

One of the hardiest plants we've ever cared for, the snake plant almost thrives on neglect. Water it thoroughly every few weeks, keep it around indirect sunlight, and let it surprise you with lots of growth.

  1. Pennysylvania
  2. Virginia

Aloe Vera

Photo by Plants.com

Though only Delaware and Mississippi chose this as their favorite, aloe vera’s healing properties make it a useful plant to have around.

  1. Delaware
  2. Mississippi

Prayer plant

Photo by Terrain

The plant gets its name from the movements of its leaves. Known as nyctinasty, the leaves move in accordance with light and humidity, perking up during the day and lowering at night.

  1. Florida

Pothos

Photo by Horti

This vining plant grows quickly, and doesn't require much water. In fact, you should only water when its leaves start drooping to avoid root rot.

  1. South Dakota

Does your favorite plant match with your state? Tell us below!

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See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • Ann Del Tredici
    Ann Del Tredici
  • Smaug
    Smaug
  • rox L
    rox L
Naomi Tomky

Written by: Naomi Tomky

The world's most enthusiastic eater of everything

5 Comments

Ann D. May 1, 2022
I don't think your photo of "Monstera" is a Monstera--it looks more like a split-leaf philodendron--they are often confused.
 
Smaug May 1, 2022
Including by botanists? They're the same thing (Monstera Deliciosa).
 
Ann D. May 1, 2022
I don't think the photo of "monstera" is a Monstera--your photo looks more like a split leaf philodendron. They are often confused.
 
Smaug April 29, 2022
Thought they'd given up on these "most popular according to Google search" articles, which tend to produce preposterous results. Google searches just mean that something has aroused peoples' curiosity, more likely from mention in a popular movie or some such than any particular love of it.
 
rox L. July 25, 2022
Smaug- I agree with you. I've googled many plants out of curiosity and not for purchase