Harlow Carr Library Talk: Houseplant Trends Through Time

RHS Garden Harlow Carr Library is hosting a talk on houseplant trends through time on Thursday 5 November, from 11am. It's a short one — 20 minutes — and it's run by the RHS Libraries, with a librarian from Harlow Carr taking the lead.

The talk looks at the history of houseplants in the UK up to 1950, tracking the plant trends that have come and gone and the inventions that changed what could be grown indoors. It's not just a list of old favourites; it's about how the things we've kept in our parlours and on our windowsills have shifted over the decades, and the practical breakthroughs that made it possible to bring more of the garden inside.

What makes this a bit more than a general history is where the material comes from. The speaker draws on the collections of the RHS Libraries, which hold rare and modern books, botanical art, photography and archives from across the gardening world. So the talk is built on the actual records of what people were growing and talking about, rather than just a broad overview. It's a glimpse into the archives that usually stays behind the scenes.

It's free with garden entry for RHS Members, and normal garden admission for non-members. No booking is required, so you can just turn up on the day. The library is at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Harrogate, HG3 1QB, and the talk starts at 11am on Thursday 5 November.