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.