Fern Mania and Palm Palaces: The Victorian Plant Craze
The Victorian era was the birthplace of the houseplant craze. Thanks to advancements in global trade and transportation, exotic tropical plants from far-off lands began arriving in European markets. The introduction of greenhouses, like England’s iconic Crystal Palace, allowed these botanical treasures to thrive in colder climates and brought them within reach of the wealthy. Suddenly, palms, ferns, and flowering exotics weren’t just plants—they were symbols of status.
A World on the Move: The Roots of the Craze
The 19th century was marked by dramatic improvements in global trade routes and the invention of faster, more reliable transportation methods, including steamships and railways. These innovations allowed explorers, traders, and botanists to transport delicate tropical plants across continents and oceans. Ships carrying Wardian cases—sealed glass containers designed to protect plants on long journeys—ensured that botanical specimens arrived alive and thriving. These cases created miniature ecosystems, protecting plants from salty sea air, fluctuating temperatures, and poor soil conditions while aboard.
The growing empire of Victorian Britain played a crucial role in this phenomenon. Colonization brought access to diverse ecosystems, from the rainforests of Southeast Asia to the landscapes of the Americas. Botanists like Joseph Hooker and adventurers such as David Douglas collected exotic species that would soon become fashionable in European homes.
The Greenhouse Effect: Innovations in Indoor Gardening
While tropical plants were highly coveted, the cold climate of Europe posed a significant challenge to their cultivation. Enter the glasshouse, or “hothouse.” Although smaller more rudimentary greenhouses had been around since 300 AD it wasn’t until the construction of grand conservatories, such as the Crystal Palace in London, that the ornate glasshouses we associate today with conservatories became popular.
Vintage engraving from 1861 showing the opening of the Horticultural society's gardens (getty images)
Built in 1851 for the Great Exhibition, the Crystal Palace showcased exotic plants and not only revolutionized the horticulture industry but it became a cultural icon of the era. For the average affluent Victorian, smaller greenhouses and conservatories attached to homes became status symbols. These spaces allowed families to cultivate exotic plants like palms, orchids, and ferns year-round.
Fern Fever and Palm Parlor Grandeur
Tropical foliage wasn’t merely decoration in Victorian homes; it connected people to the wonders of the natural world during a time of immense industrial change.
Among the many tropical plants that captured Victorian hearts were ferns. This obsession, known as "Pteridomania," reached its peak in the mid-19th century. Ferns were prized for their delicate fronds and adaptability to indoor environments. They were often displayed in glass terrariums that protected them from dry indoor air and soot-filled urban atmospheres.
Palms, on the other hand, were symbols of refinement, wealth, and a curiosity about the world beyond Europe’s borders. Species like the Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) and Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) graced parlors and drawing rooms.
Victorian horticulturists didn’t stop at foliage—they were equally passionate about flowering plants. Advances in gardening techniques allowed them to force bulbs like hyacinths and tulips to bloom out of season. Cyclamen, poinsettias, and Cattleya orchids were among the most popular choices for indoor gardens because of their vibrant flowers.
Greenhouse with sculpture at entrance, circa 1865. Creator: Unknown. (Photo by Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images)
The Victorian houseplant craze left a profound impact on modern horticulture. Many of the plants popularized during this era—including ferns, palms, and orchids—remain staples of contemporary indoor gardening. Moreover, the innovations in plant transportation, greenhouse design, and cultivation techniques pioneered by the Victorians continue to influence how we grow and care for plants today.
Resources
Conway, Hazel. People's Parks: The Design and Development of Victorian Parks in Britain. Cambridge University Press, 1991.
Desmond, Ray. Kew: The History of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Harvill Press, 1998.
Elliott, Brent. Victorian Gardens. Batsford, 1986.
Hooker, Joseph Dalton. Himalayan Journals. John Murray, 1854.
"Wardian Case: The Terrarium That Changed the World.” Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. https://www.kew.org.
"The Great Exhibition and the Crystal Palace.” The Victorian Web. http://www.victorianweb.org.
