Brighton Man's 30-Year-Old Ikea Houseplant Still Thriving

Bryan Taylor has amassed a collection of 120 houseplants, with his first Ikea purchase from 30 years ago still going strong.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:05am

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Three decades ago, Bryan Taylor picked up a houseplant from Ikea and it has since become the oldest plant in his impressive collection of 120 houseplants at his Brighton home. The Euphorbia Trigona, or African Milk Tree, now stands over 7 feet tall and continues to thrive, thanks to Taylor's focus on providing the right soil, light, and care for his plants.

Why it matters

Taylor's story highlights how with the right attention and care, even an inexpensive houseplant purchase can become a long-lasting, beloved part of a home. His commitment to his plant collection also speaks to a growing trend of urban dwellers finding joy and fulfillment in nurturing indoor greenery.

The details

Taylor credits proper soil, repotting every two years, and closely monitoring his plants' needs as keys to keeping his Ikea plant alive for three decades. He also has a room-by-room watering routine to ensure each plant gets the right amount of moisture without sitting in water. Taylor's collection has grown to 120 plants, requiring him to add extra shelving to accommodate them all.

  • Taylor purchased the Euphorbia Trigona plant from Ikea about 30 years ago.

The players

Bryan Taylor

A Brighton resident who has amassed a collection of 120 houseplants, including an Euphorbia Trigona plant he purchased from Ikea about 30 years ago that is still thriving.

Euphorbia Trigona

Also known as an African Milk Tree, this is the oldest plant in Taylor's 120-plant collection, standing over 7 feet tall after 30 years.

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What they’re saying

“The oldest plant in my collection is my Euphorbia Trigona, or African Milk Tree, which was purchased from Ikea about 30 years ago. It lives in a south-facing window, is now over 7ft tall, and is still going strong.”

— Bryan Taylor, House Beautiful's visual content editor

“Soil is really important for the plant's success. Generic houseplant soil is fine, but if you want the best results, it's always a good idea to buy what the plants naturally want to live in.”

— Bryan Taylor, House Beautiful's visual content editor

The takeaway

Taylor's story shows that with the right care and attention, even an inexpensive houseplant purchase can become a long-lasting, beloved part of a home. His commitment to nurturing his 120-plant collection speaks to the growing trend of urban dwellers finding joy and fulfillment in indoor greenery.