The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has revealed the top trends emerging from the 2024 Philadelphia Flower Show, themed “United by Flowers.”
Celebrating its rich history as a global stage for innovative floral and garden design, the Flower Show has historically showcased groundbreaking creations and introduced industry trends. Notably, the inaugural Flower Show in 1829 featured the first American showing of the now-iconic poinsettia.
In its 195th year, “United by Flowers” highlighted several emerging trends across flowers, houseplants, landscapes, and floral event design, anticipated to influence gardening and floral industries in the coming years.
Seth Pearsoll, Vice President and Creative Director of the Flower Show, emphasized the event’s role as a catalyst for industry innovation, stating, “The Philadelphia Flower Show provides a platform for some of the world’s most renowned designers and growers to highlight the best and newest ideas in the industry.”
Among the trends showcased at the 2024 Flower Show:
Trending House Plants:
Aroids, Begonias, Gesneriads, and Terrariums took center stage, with notable participation in the competitive plant categories.
Aroids like philodendron and monstera maintained popularity, while Begonias saw increased interest, featuring rare varieties such as Begonia pteridifolium and Begonia montaniformis.
Gesneriads experienced significant growth, including streptocarpus and sinningia.
Terrariums witnessed a surge in popularity, offering versatility and low maintenance options for plant enthusiasts of all levels.
Landscape Trends:
Rewilding of urban areas emerged as a prominent trend, promoting biodiversity and restoring natural ecosystems.
Exhibits such as “A Beautiful Disturbance” and “Right of Way” exemplified this trend by showcasing urban spaces overtaken by plants and celebrating roadside biodiversity.
Floral Event Design Trends:
Hyper-locally sourced cut flowers gained traction, highlighting sustainability and reducing carbon footprint.
Virtual gardens incorporating mixed media and projection technology offered immersive floral experiences.
Table-top topiaries and arrangements added pops of color and texture to event spaces.
Floral Trends:
Monotone bold neon colors and color-blocking emerged as popular choices.
Large-scale statement floral sculptures replaced smaller clusters, commanding attention.
Organic materials like fruits and vegetables added whimsy to arrangements.
Organic shapes created with 3-D printers and untraditional mediums showcased stunning and natural designs.
Anthurium in unique vibrant colors became a focal point in floral displays.
The Philadelphia Flower Show continues to be a beacon of tradition and herald of spring, offering joy, inspiration, and education to visitors. The showcased designs and plants not only reflect current trends but also serve as inspiration for gardening enthusiasts of all levels, contributing to the ever-evolving landscape of horticulture and floral design.