Over a quarter of Brits (27%) now consider plants part of their own family, in what influencer Mr Plant Geek is calling the “plant-demic”, according to new research.

According to the new research by by award-winning New Zealand wine, Stoneleigh, almost half of plant enthusiasts (48%) also plan to leave their houseplants with family members when they go on holiday this summer.

Eleven per cent of those surveyed even said it was an absolute must, so expect plant-sitter payments to become a new thing!

The plant-demic started a little later than the pandemic, in March 2020, but many retailers soon saw houseplant sales soar by over 200%*, as Brits tried to bring the outside in, and make up for not being able to go for walks.

People talking to and playing music to their plants seems pretty normal behaviour nowadays but at some point over the last few years, that has been taken to extremes, as now over a quarter (27%) of Brits treat their houseplants like part of the family.

According to the new research from Stoneleigh wine, over a third of the 2,000 Brits asked say they continue to buy houseplants to brighten up their homes (35%) and almost one in five (17%) do it to feel closer to nature.

Lucy Bearman, Wine Director at Stoneleigh, said: “From fur-babies to fern-babies, the last three years has seen a dramatic shift in how we treat our plants. We’ve moved on from singing and talking to our plants to setting them up with wild-minders when we’re away, treating plants and nature by extension like extended family.

Our ‘It’s in Our Nature’ campaign relates to Stoneleigh’s winemaking approach. For what we take from Mother Nature, we give back. It’s in our nature. We see her as our business partner, sharing the tools we need to make our great-tasting vegan and sustainably sourced wine. And in return, we actively restore New Zealand’s wetlands and support local wildlife.

Brand ambassador, Chef and TV presenter Clodagh McKenna continued: “I adore spending time outdoors and what better time to do so than in spring, during the holidays? We’ve had a really wet start to the year so my advice is to make the most of these sunny moments and embrace the garden, balcony or table loving succulents. My partnership with Stoneleigh wine is encouraging everyone to embrace the joy plants can bring to our lives.”

Today, Stoneleigh also announces that it has partnered with chef, author and TV personality Clodagh McKenna to inspire people to enjoy the great British outdoors and embrace the plant revolution in their homes. The New Zealand 100% certified vegan and sustainably-sourced wine brand, known for its multiple biodiversity projects and minimal intervention winemaking philosophy, has joined forces to launch a nationwide competition giving Brits the chance to win a ‘Houseplant Makeover.

The New Zealand wine brand has launched a Houseplant Makeover competition nationwide here. Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc is available in Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose and Asda at an RRP of £10.