Things are changing for America. Fewer and fewer young adults are talking about having kids, while a growing number are calling themselves “plant parents.” Yes, it’s true. U.S. birth rates are dropping at the same time that sales of houseplants keep climbing. It’s particularly noticeable among young people. Why? Let’s find out.
Birth rates are down among younger Americans
The National Center for Health Statistics recorded about 3.6 million U.S. births in 2023. This was a 2% dip from the year before. In particular, women in their early 20s had some of the lowest birth rates ever tracked. Teen births were also at record lows.
Currently, Gen Z is moving through those prime childbearing years. But fewer of them are becoming parents early on. It’s a trend that has been sliding for years, and it doesn’t seem like it’s showing signs of turning around anytime soon.
Intentions vs. desires
Just because some people want kids someday doesn’t mean they’ll always plan to have them. Plenty of Gen Zers still say they might want kids. They just don’t want it to happen anytime soon. Some people in this generation haven’t decided whether they want them yet, while some are fine waiting. Others are more interested in nontraditional paths.
Either way, the gap between thinking that you might have kids later and actually setting a timeline is widening. Those near-term plans are thinner than they were before, but the dream itself hasn’t vanished.
Money pressures and home costs steer life timing
Try asking anyone under 30 how they feel about their finances. Chances are, they’ll laugh and also seem stressed at the same time. They’re worried about student loans and rent hikes, as well as groceries, because everything has become too expensive for them.
Research shows that young people are marrying and starting families much later. Why? Because they have too much debt to deal with right now, or their ideal housing is out of reach. In the most expensive cities, first births happen years later than in cheaper areas. The math just doesn’t work for many people right now. As such, raising plants becomes a more affordable form of caretaking that still feels rewarding for Gen Z.
Climate worries are widely reported in ages 16–25
Growing up reading headlines about wildfires and melting ice caps is bound to affect you. It’s easy to see why a lot of young people feel uneasy about bringing kids into the mix. Many young people feel either afraid or scared about their future.
Many Gen Zers are weighing the reality of what the future will be like against the idea of raising kids. For now, the plants feel like the safer bet.
Houseplants are a clear, growing habit
So what’s going on with houseplants? The market for them has exploded since 2018, jumping to nearly $2 billion. Millennials & Gen Z are driving most of it. More than a mere hobby, looking after houseplants has become a kind of lifestyle.
Social media is packed with plant care videos and thrifted pots, as well as grow-light setups. Many people love raising plants because they don’t talk back. They also make tiny spaces look better and give people the chance to nurture something without stressing over diapers or daycare.
Measured benefits from indoor plants
Plenty of research shows what people already feel about plants. They make you calmer. Controlled studies have shown lower stress levels and better concentration, even happier moods, after people spend time around greenery. Offices with plants tend to have fewer complaints & more satisfied workers.
For Gen Z, having a plant is a practical way to fight stress and improve their emotions. That’s quite important given that we spend most of our lives indoors. A few ferns on the shelf can go a long way for a small apartment & a tight budget.
Small-space living and plant care fit together
Most young adults today rent their homes instead of buying them. And most of these places are small apartments, which don’t bode well for babies. However, having just a few hanging plants or a window herb garden is totally doable.
It’s easy to make plants a part of your life. They’re low-cost and flexible. All they require is a little maintenance now and again, yet they’ll also help to fulfill your survival instinct to take care of something.
Child-rearing costs are substantial in official tallies
Raising a child in the U.S. costs a lot. The USDA estimates it takes well over $200,000 to raise one child to age 18, depending on income and location. These figures come before college or emergencies. You have housing and food to worry about, alongside healthcare and transportation. It’s a lot of money.
Now compare that to a $25 pothos from a plant shop that thrives with water once a week. It’s easy to see why some Gen Z adults are taking the simpler route. At least, for now. They can’t afford the costs of raising a new human.