The plant trade’s scientific secrets
Growers are using advanced techniques to mass-produce the next trendy houseplant. But Katrina Krämer finds that collectors’ demand for new varieties has also opened the door to deception and fraud
Our love for beautiful plants might seem frivolous, but it drives a $49 billion industry. Even the pandemic didn’t put much of a damper on the horticultural industry’s growth, predicted to be almost 7% a year over the next few years. While nurseries had to bin millions of seasonal flowers in early 2020, the lockdowns meant that indoor houseplants had their moment. One UK online plant store reported a 500% increase in sales.
Some plants, like orchids, used to be collector’s items, unaffordable for most people. Now, species like the moth orchid Phalaenopsis are sold for a few pounds in supermarkets. Thailand, the natural habitat of more than 1000 orchid species, is one of the largest orchid producers, growing tens of millions every year. Mass producing these plants, which can take several years to flower, is only possible through micropropagation.