
Retro house plants? Is there such a thing? It seems so.
Ready to take a trip down memory lane?
Some of the house plants currently topping the house plant charts are bringing the 70s with them.
Let’s dive into the world of retro house plants and see which plants are bringing back the vibes of funk, soul glam, fabulous flares.
To get you right into the mood, I’ve paired each plant choice with a suitable 70’s tune.
African Violets: retro house plants comeback queen

Guess who’s stealing the show in 2024? It’s the humble African violet! These little beauties have been around for nearly a century, but they’re having a moment right now. In fact, the National Garden Bureau has crowned them the houseplant of the year. How’s that for a comeback?
Here are 7 key care tips for African violets as houseplants:
- Light: Provide bright, indirect sunlight. They thrive near north- or east-facing windows but avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.
- Watering: Water from the bottom to avoid getting the leaves wet, as this can cause spots and rot. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings.
- Humidity: African violets prefer humidity levels around 50-60%. You can increase humidity by placing the pot on a tray of pebbles with water, ensuring the pot doesn’t sit in the water.
- Soil: Use a well-draining, loose potting mix formulated specifically for African violets, or create your own with peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite.
- Temperature: Keep the room temperature between 65°F and 75°F (18°C to 24°C), avoiding drafts and sudden temperature changes.
- Fertilising: Feed every 4-6 weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer specifically for African violets, reducing frequency during the winter months.
- Repotting: Repot every 12-18 months into fresh soil to prevent compacted roots and ensure healthy growth.
African Violet retro plant soundtrack
Osibisa – Sunshine Day
Based in London, Osibisa brought a joyful African sound to the mid-seventies. This was their biggest hit, released in 1976.
Rubber tree – Ficus elastica

These beauties are perfect if you’re looking to make a statement. This plant dominated our living room in the 1970s and we also had an aquamarine velour sofa, just like the one featured above.
Rubber trees are like the strong, silent type of the plant world. With their glossy, dark green leaves, they’re a dramatic addition to any room.
Here are 7 key care tips for Ficus elastica (Rubber Plant) as a houseplant:
- Pruning: Prune occasionally to control height and encourage a fuller shape. You can also wipe down the large leaves regularly to remove dust and maintain their shine.
- Light: Ficus elastica prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.
- Watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Be careful not to overwater, as rubber plants dislike soggy soil and are prone to root rot.
- Humidity: Rubber plants can tolerate average indoor humidity but will thrive in higher humidity. Consider misting the leaves or using a humidifier during dry months.
- Soil: Use well-draining potting soil with a mix of peat, pine bark, and perlite to ensure good aeration and drainage.
- Temperature: Maintain a temperature range of 60°F to 75°F (15°C to 24°C) and avoid cold drafts or sudden temperature changes, which can stress the plant.
- Fertilising: Feed the plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every month during the growing season (spring and summer) and reduce feeding in the fall and winter.
Rubber plant retro soundtrack
The Trammps – Rubber Band
Mid-tempo soul from 1975 from one of Philadelphia’s finest bands.
Money Tree – Pachira aquatica

With its slightly kitsch braided trunk and hand-shaped leaves, the Money Tree will add a touch of whimsy to your space.
In Asian culture, they are believed to bring good fortune, so what’s not to like? Here is how to look after your money tree:
- Light: Place your Pachira aquatica in bright, indirect light. It can tolerate low light, but growth will be slower, and avoid direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves.
- Watering: Water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, but avoid letting the plant sit in standing water. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
- Humidity: Pachira aquatica enjoys high humidity levels. Misting the leaves or placing a humidifier nearby can help keep the plant healthy, especially in dry environments.
- Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix, such as a peat-based or all-purpose houseplant mix, to prevent waterlogging.
- Temperature: Keep the plant in a warm spot, ideally between 65°F and 75°F (18°C to 24°C), and avoid drafts or temperatures below 50°F (10°C), as they can cause stress.
- Fertilizing: Feed once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Reduce feeding in the fall and winter when growth slows.
- Pruning: Trim back leggy or overgrown stems to maintain the plant’s shape. Pruning also encourages bushier growth and helps control its height indoors.
Money Tree retro plant soundtrack
Money’s Too Tight to Mention – the Valentine Brothers
Written in 1977, although not released until From 1982, this is the original version of this fantastic hard-times tune. It was covered subsequently by Simply Red and many people thought Mick Hucknall wrote it. But this is the real thing.

Golden Pothos: the trailer or climber

Now, let’s talk about another plant that’s been climbing the charts (and, potentially, your walls) – Epipremnum aureum, or Golden Pothos, also commonly known as Devil’s Ivy. Sales of this trailing beauty have gone through the roof, and it’s not hard to see why.
Pothos is like that friend who gets along with everyone – it thrives in all sorts of conditions and is happy to adapt to your lifestyle.
Pothos can be trained up a pole or post, as in the picture above, or placed at a high level, eg on a shelf or in a hanging basket, and allowed to trail down. The latter is definitely my favourite approach
Here are 7 key tips for taking care of Pothos:
- Light: Pothos thrives in low to bright indirect light, making it a versatile plant for various indoor settings. However, avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch its leaves.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry, but be careful not to let the plant sit in water, as it can lead to root rot.
- Humidity: Pothos tolerates average indoor humidity, but it will benefit from occasional misting or a more humid environment, especially in dry climates.
- Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix, such as a general houseplant mix, or one containing peat moss, perlite, or coco coir to promote healthy root growth.
- Temperature: Maintain temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C). Avoid cold drafts or temperatures below 50°F (10°C), as this can damage the plant.
- Fertilising: Feed your Pothos with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) and reduce feeding in the cooler months.
- Pruning: Trim back overgrown vines to maintain the desired shape and encourage bushier growth. Pothos is also easy to propagate from cuttings.
Golden Pothos retro plant soundtrack
Golden Time of Day by Frankie Beverley and Maze
Released in 1978, sit back enjoy your plants with this gentle Californian soul from Frankie Beverley and Maze.

Monstera: The Swiss Cheese Plant

No chat about retro plants would be complete without mentioning the Monstera. With its big, holey leaves, it’s become a bit of an Instagram celebrity. But trust us, the real thing is even better than the pictures.
Monsteras are fast growers and real eye-catchers. They’re perfect if you’re going for that boho vibe or mid-century modern look. Plus, they’re a great conversation starter – who doesn’t want to chat about a plant with holes in its leaves?
Monstera are pretty easy to care for. Here are 7 key care tips:
- Support and Pruning: As Monstera grows, provide a moss pole or trellis for support, and prune leggy or damaged leaves to encourage fuller growth and maintain shape.
- Light: Monstera deliciosa thrives in bright, indirect light. It can tolerate lower light levels but will grow more slowly. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves.
- Watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Make sure the pot has good drainage to prevent waterlogging, as Monstera prefers slightly moist but not soggy soil.
- Humidity: Monstera enjoys higher humidity levels. You can mist the leaves or use a humidifier to maintain the ideal humidity, especially in dry environments.
- Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix with a mix of peat, perlite, and bark to mimic its natural environment and ensure good drainage and aeration.
- Temperature: Keep the plant in a warm area with temperatures between 65°F and 80°F (18°C to 27°C). Avoid cold drafts or temperatures below 50°F (10°C), as this can harm the plant.
- Fertilizing: Feed Monstera with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) to support its growth and reduce feeding in the fall and winter.
Swiss Cheese Plant retro plant soundtrack
Cheese Cake by Dexter Gordon
Originally featured on Gordon’s seminal Go Album from 1962, I have managed to shoehorn his classic Cheese Cake into our list, by featuring this live recording from 1978.
Spider Plants: the hanging heroes

Looking to add some greenery up high? Spider plants (chlorophtyum comosum) are your go-to guys. Along with rubber plants and cheese plants, these are the othe rmost ever-present plants I remember from my 1970s childhood.
These are classic house plants. They are making a comeback, and they’re perfect for beginners and exepreinced growers alike.
Spider plants are like the gifts that keep on giving, with their little plantlets (or spiderettes) dangling down. They look fantastic in hanging baskets, so you can use them to maximise your space and your style.
Here is is how to take care of them:
Here are 7 key care tips for Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum) as houseplants:
- Light: Spider plants thrive in bright, indirect light but can also tolerate lower light conditions. Avoid direct sunlight, which can cause the leaves to scorch.
- Watering: Water when the top inch of soil is dry, typically once a week. Be careful not to overwater, as spider plants dislike soggy soil, which can lead to root rot.
- Humidity: Spider plants prefer moderate humidity levels, but they can tolerate dry indoor air. Occasional misting or placing a humidifier nearby can help during drier months.
- Soil: Use a well-draining, general-purpose potting mix to keep the roots healthy and prevent waterlogging.
- Temperature: Keep spider plants in temperatures between 55°F and 80°F (13°C to 27°C). They prefer cooler environments, but avoid temperatures below 50°F (10°C).
- Fertilizing: Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer), but avoid over-fertilizing, as it can cause browning tips.
- Repotting and Propagation: Repot the plant every 1-2 years to refresh the soil and manage root growth. Spider plants produce “spiderettes” (small offshoots) that can be easily propagated into new plants.
Spider Plant retro plant soundtrack
Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie
“So where were the spiders, when the flies tried to break our balls?” The track comes from 1972’s the Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars an album that, in my view, changed the musical landscape forever.
Retro Display Methods
Macrame Magic

What’s old is new again, and that includes how we show off our plants. Macrame hangers are back. These handcrafted plant holders are not just practical, they’re like art for your walls.
Macrame is particularly great for showing off your Spider plants and Boston ferns. The intricate knots and patterns complement the natural beauty of the plants, creating a look that’s both retro and modern.
Statement Trees as Living Sculptures

Got some floor space to fill? Why not make a statement with a big, beautiful plant? Large Rubber Plants and Fiddle-Leaf Figs are becoming popular as living sculptures in homes and offices.
These green giants not only look amazing, but they also help clean the air. Plus, they’re great for creating natural dividers in open-plan spaces. It’s like bringing a bit of the outdoors inside!
The retro colour palette
Bold and beautiful pottery

It’s not just about the plants – the pots are getting a retro makeover too! We’re seeing a lot of bold, vibrant colours that take us right back to the 70s. Think mustard yellow, bright orange, deep green, and rich indigo.
These funky pots are the perfect way to show off your retro plants. The combination of lush green foliage and colourful containers creates a look that’s fun, fresh, and full of personality.
Caring for retro houseplants
Now, you might be thinking, “This all sounds great, but can I keep these plants alive?” Good news – most of these retro favourites are pretty easy-going. Here are some quick tips:
- African violets love bright, indirect light and careful watering (keep the leaves dry!)
- Rubber trees and money trees prefer moderate light and like to dry out between waterings
- Pothos is super adaptable but thrives in medium to bright indirect light
- Bigger plants like Monsteras might need a trim now and then
- Hanging plants love a good misting to keep them humid and happy
Incorporating retro plants in modern decor
The best thing about this retro plant revival? These classic greens fit in just about anywhere. Whether your style is minimalist modern or eclectic boho, there’s a retro plant for you.
Try pairing a sleek white pot with a colorful African violet for a pop of color in a modern space. Or anchor a boho-inspired room with a large Monstera in a woven basket. The key is to find balance – let the natural shapes of the plants soften up your space and add a touch of organic beauty.
The Playlists
I’m a bit of a music obsessive and I grew up in the era when we carefully curate mix tapes to play at parties and give to our friends. So while writing this post, my mind was running away with songs from the 70s that I wanted to mention because they evoked the era (most of which have no connection with plants).
So I decided to put them in a Spotify playlist. In fact, I put them in two playlists, because some of the rockier material seemed to jar with the soul funk and jazz.
The Funk and Soul playlist
The Rock Playlist
Martin Cole has been an avid plant lover and gardener for more than 20 years and loves to talk and write about gardening. In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competition. He is a member of the National dahlia Society.
He previously lived in London and Sydney, Australia, where he took a diploma course in Horticultural studies and is now based in North Berwick in Scotland. He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012. The website is aimed at everybody who loves plants or has been bitten by the gardening bug and wants to know more.
Gardening Step by Step has been cited by Thompson and Morgan, the UK’s largest mail order plant retailer, as a website that publishes expert gardening content.