We all have our New Year traditions. Mine involves traveling across the country to join my Plantscaping industry colleagues from 45 states and 37 different countries at the Tropical Plants International Expo, AKA TPIE.

It’s a blast for me to see all the new concepts and trends in indoor plant production, presentation, and design. There is so much to see, sometimes I worry whether my head might explode! (Spoiler – it didn’t happen).

When you have been in business four decades, you see certain concepts and ideas recycled from time to time. We love seeing great old ideas reinvented. We also see the creative use of new technology and new designs.

When the show is over at the end of the week, I’m completely re-energized and can’t wait to get back to work for our clients (and share with the Good Earth Team?). I feel extremely lucky to be able to say this after 43 years in business!

Here’s what caught my eye at TPIE 2020 this year:

1. Are You Looking At Me?

Designers are figuring out ways to integrate human faces and figures in plant displays. Containers take human form, like these guys here. We also see faces and figures in multiple applications and forms.

2. Laughter Is The Best Medicine

Designers showed off a sense of humor in many of the new design themes. If laughter really is the best medicine (and there IS science behind this), combining humor with the healthy properties of plants can benefit all of us.

3. Getting Small

Miniatures were everywhere and it’s a smart trend. Not everyone has unlimited space for plants. Sure, fiddle leaf figs are all the rage, but even if you only have a few square inches, you still have room for plants!

4. Containers Made From Clever Materials

We saw the use of woven twigs as plant hangers, lined with fabric to hold plants and growing media. They’re lightweight and add a lot of interest to the plants. And – they are not macramé, bonus.

5. Pop Art and Plants

We saw this trend getting underway at last year’s TPIE show, and it’s only growing stronger. Maybe it’s a reaction to all the HGTV design shows featuring farmhouse white interiors.  I admit these bright colors would look amazing in a white kitchen! Don’t fear color!

6. Plant Tattoos

I’m not sure this actual trend as seen here will take off, but it tells me people are looking for more interesting patterns and variations on the green theme. Many plants have variegated leaves thanks to Mother Nature as tattoo artist. We use them often in our own plantscaping designs.

7. Spectacular Statement-Making Structures

When there is room, making a BIG statement with a single dramatic container makes a major impact. There were some outstanding examples. You could stand in front of one for an hour and not see all the details. Wouldn’t this look great in the lobby of your office or apartment building?

8. Reclaimed Wood Containers

We don’t like to brag, but Good Earth Plant Company was way ahead of this trend. We love the use of reclaimed wood as containers. They are beautiful, sustainable, and good for the earth. We were especially happy to see this trend spreading across the U.S.

9. Two Or Ten Are Better Than One

The only thing better than one plant is MORE than one plant! Putting plants together in creative groups isn’t new, but there are infinite approaches to it. Repeated use of similar shapes, colors, or other art elements helps unify different parts into a whole. It’s called a “visual echo.” It’s an easy way to turn your plants into a statement-making work of art in your home. We love using repetition with simple plants and containers to create impressive installations for our clients.

There is still one missing element: you! Is this the year you get in touch with us? We enrich people’s lives with plants. Let us help you find ways to improve your wellbeing by integrating nature and plants into your environment in 2020. Give us a call at 858-576-9300 or email me at jim@goodearthplants.com. I can’t wait to hear from you.