Do houseplants have a carbon footprint? Debunking ‘green living’ myths

Once a humble hobby, houseplants have taken over our homes and our feeds. From trailing pothos in boho living rooms to carefully misted monsteras on minimalist shelves, indoor plants are now synonymous with the ‘green living’ aesthetic. But here’s the thing: not everything leafy is low-impact. In fact, some parts of the plant-parenting trend may be more about looking sustainable than actually being sustainable.

The plant industry isn’t as ‘green’ as it looks

Let’s start with the basics: yes, plants absorb CO₂ and release oxygen. But when it comes to your home jungle, the environmental story gets murkier. The carbon footprint of houseplants doesn’t lie in the plants themselves—it lies in the supply chain. Think plastic pots, synthetic fertilisers, peat-based soil mixes (which damage peat bogs), artificial grow lights, and long-distance shipping from nurseries across the globe. That gorgeous rubber plant flown in from Thailand? It clocked more air miles than your last vacation.

Houseplants have become lifestyle accessories, status symbols even. The rarer the plant, the higher the social currency. But rare plants often come with shady supply chains, including poaching from endangered ecosystems and unsustainable farming practices. It's not just about green thumbs anymore—it’s about green optics.

It’s time to green your green thumb. Start with local, nursery-sourced plants. Skip peat-heavy soils in favour of coconut coir or compost-based mixes. Repot using recycled containers (no one’s judging the old terracotta chai cups). And avoid overbuying—your home doesn't need to look like a tropical conservatory to be low-waste. Owning houseplants isn't inherently unsustainable—but the consumer culture around them can be. A little mindfulness goes a long way in turning aesthetic greenery into real sustainability. So before your next plant haul, ask yourself: do I need another fern, or am I just bored?