Puppies, People, and Plants Hallmark the 2022 Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE)
January 23, 2022 
TPIE 2022 was a success with great attendance, despite reports of high coronavirus numbers across the U.S.
A good show of attendees soaked up the Florida sunshine and enjoyed their fill of tropicals and foliage plants at the Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE), held January 19 to 21 in Tampa. After disappointing attendance at the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS), held just two weeks earlier in Baltimore, MD, people speculated on whether TPIE would go forward, but organizers assured everyone they were open for business. Exhibitors I visited with told me business was taking place, with lots of buyers in attendance and a slew of orders coming in for them to fulfill.
People. The show floor seemed a little smaller than the floor space in the Fort Lauderdale venue where the show is traditionally held. However, exhibitors were present in most of the booths and there were few empty spaces. Although the shadow of the pandemic still hung over the show, it was nice to see the interactions on the show floor, and several attendees said that virtual-only contacts are not an adequate substitute for the in-person experience. TPIE canceled the 2021 show and opted for a virtual offering after a spike in coronavirus numbers raised concerns about exhibitor and buyer safety and participation.
Plants. The industry saw a surge in demand for house plants during the pandemic, but even before then, old and young consumers of all gardening levels showed increased interest in tropicals and indoor foliage plants. A 2019 article by the National Post states that U.S. houseplant sales increased by 50% in the previous three years to a total of $1.7 billion (Source: National Gardening Association). Among the young, particularly Millennials, foliage plants have become objects of “plant parenting” and even collector items. It wasn’t a surprise that some of the new varieties found on the tradeshow floor and showcased in TPIE’s new product zone had unusual foliage patterns and leaf shapes. And while plants for every price range are available, some plants at the show were going for far beyond the typical $6 to $100 price range. For example, Florida-based R&D Nurseries received an award at TPIE’s Cool Products presentation for its ‘Red Moon’ Philodendron, a rare plant that fetches $1,000 each because of its unique red and yellow foliage pattern.
TPIE has a reputation as one of the best places for buyers to see what is trending in decorative pots and planters, as well as other plant accessories such as hangers, misters, and watering cans. Nature-inspired products are on-trend. Macrame is cool again. Monstera and the Fiddle-leaf fig still rule, with succulents still getting a lot of play. A few products for kids caught my eye, including Crayola Draw & Grow and Color-a-Garden pots along with a My First Garden Kit for growing tomatoes. Sustainability and self-watering items also drew a lot of attention.
GottaGo Grass teamed up with a local Humane Society to get some help from puppies to market its product.
Puppies. Speaking of kids, one booth attracted the adult kids at the show. What do puppies have to do with plants, you ask? The booth name says it all – GottaGo Grass. The exhibitor teamed up with a local humane society to promote its natural grass-relief tool or potty pad made of living grass that arrives in a box and can be used indoors and outdoors. Pets can use it from two to four weeks, depending on use and upkeep, and then it can be thrown away. Puppies at the show gave live demonstrations of the product’s usefulness, and attendees had the opportunity to adopt the puppies on the spot.
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