A Gardens L I BBY MOF F E T
Sowing the seeds
Ask an indoor plant grower to describe selling conditions over the past year and chances are they’ll respond with words such as “explosive”, “ballistic” and “the perfect storm”, before adding that they’ve never experienced a market like this. While the growth in apartment living and smaller backyards has fuelled the popularity of indoor greenery over the past decade, COVID lockdowns and restrictions have unleashed unprecedented demand for indoor plants, with buyers paying as much as $6000 to get their green thumbs on a rare plant. Industry body Greenlife Industry Australia says the surge in indoor plant sales reflects a range of factors stemming from the pandemic, including a greater focus on home improvements, an increase in discretionary income and a growing desire to have something to nurture and appreciate. “Last year highlighted the importance of plants and green life to all people, across the generations and all demographics,” the organisation’s CEO, Peter Vaughan, says. Social media has also driven demand, with people sharing images of their plant purchases on Facebook and Instagram and enjoying the bragging rights of owning a coveted rare variety. eBay and Facebook Marketplace pages are filled with plants for sale and auction, with transactions also conducted through private Facebook groups and agents. Growers report particularly strong interest from millennials. While there are plenty of common plants being snapped up online for as little as a few dollars, there are also hectic bidding wars for rare species that 18
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A growing desire for indoor plants has seen high-priced, rare species flourish
THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN
| MARCH 13-14, 2021
