Members of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) saw sales of houseplants climb an impressive 30% during February 2016 compared with the same month last year.
According to the GCA's latest barometer of trade, other strong performers were furniture and barbecues, up 29%, and the best performing non-traditional category - clothing - was up 58%.
GCA chief executive Iain Wylie said: " After a couple of months of good performances in clothing and gifts, it's great to see the houseplants category now having its moment. When the winter weather is properly set in it is always nice to be able to bring some much needed colour into the home and one of the best ways to do this is with houseplants, particularly cyclamen and orchids. February was a particularly popular time for houseplants due to Valentine's Day."
Other categories showing strong growth were outdoor plants, which were up 12%, garden sundries up 13% and hard landscaping up 10%.
Pets and aquatics saw a rise of 16.5%, gifts up 25% and food hall and farm shop sales were up 27%.
Mr Wylie added: " Sales in catering were also impressive at 17.9% up but seeds and bulbs sales were just 3.76% up, however this is expected to pick up in the following months when more people get out into their gardens."
For the month of February the overall garden centre performance and Year to Date change was 20.92%.
Thetford garden centre managing director Jean Nixon said: " At Thetford Garden Centre we have always been strong and committed to retailing houseplants. They are now positioned right at the front of the garden centre and are going from strength to strength.
"We also sense that after several years of lacklustre performance in many garden centres, houseplants are starting to gain some real momentum, winning sales back from the supermarkets."
The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.