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Plant keeping gains popularity


Nepalnews
2021 Oct 18, 17:03, Kathmandu
Growing plants became an escape from the horrors that were transpiring around the world during the pandemic. Photo: Sushant Mukhia

Social media like Instagram and Facebook these days are flooded with aesthetic pictures of indoor plants. Significant growth in the number of plant stores, physical as well as online, can be seen at present.

Sushant Mukhia, manager of Pots and Plants, Nakhipot believes that lockdown played a significant role in many people becoming plant parents. “Growing plants is not only a productive and peaceful hobby but also a way for keeping our mental health well. During the pandemic, it became an escape from the horrors that were transpiring around the world”, he says.


“Being a plant parent has a lot of health benefits as well”, says Nidhi Dewan, owner of Plant House, an online plant store. “People paid more attention towards decorating their personal spaces during the lockdowns. Plants work well as decorations. This may also be a reason why it suddenly gained so much popularity”, she adds.

The plant business can be very vast due to its wide range of varieties. Dewan, being from Illam, brings her plants from her hometown to Kathmandu. “Mine is a small business and does not have a physical store. Hence, I don’t need to bring plants on a large scale”, she says.


The plant business can be very vast due to its wide range of varieties.
Photo: Plant House
The plant business can be very vast due to its wide range of varieties. Photo: Plant House

Mukhia first gathered plants from all over Nepal and different local nurseries to capture as much variety of plants as possible. “As the demands increased, we expanded our area of suppliers to India and China for Peace Lillies, and some international countries like Switzerland for rubber plants”, he says.


Mukhia expanded his area of suppliers to India and China for Peace Lillies.
Photo: Plant House
Mukhia expanded his area of suppliers to India and China for Peace Lillies. Photo: Plant House

Despite nurseries being in existence for a very long time and providing a wider variety of plants, the modern plant stores seem to appeal to more people. The increasing number of physical and virtual shops prove that there is a high demand for it in the market. “Social media has really helped plant stores like us to gain the hype”, says Dewan.
“While plant shops usually display plants in an attractive and enticing manner making the plants look more appealing, nurseries fail to portray the individuality of each plant as they are all mass-produced”, says Mukhia.

Tangled Heart Plant, also known as Pillow Plant and Swedish Ivy is a rapidly growing succulent creeper and has strings of small leaves in the shape of a heart.
Photo: Plant House
Tangled Heart Plant, also known as Pillow Plant and Swedish Ivy is a rapidly growing succulent creeper and has strings of small leaves in the shape of a heart. Photo: Plant House

Occasions and celebrations increase sales in plant businesses as gifting plants to loved ones are becoming a trend these days. Dewan’s business gained more profit than usual before she closed down her store for Dashain. However, Mukhia’s expectations with Dashain sales were not met. “We hope Tihar plays a positive role in the sales'', he says.

Succulent garden pack. 
Photo: Sushant Mukhia
Succulent garden pack. Photo: Sushant Mukhia

Plant keeping is a hobby that serves an individual in many ways. It is never too late to start being a plant parent. “Snake plant is a perfect plant to start with if you have no experience with plant keeping”, says Dewan. “It is one of the most sold items in my store”, she adds.

Beginner-friendly snake plant is Plant House's most selling plant. 
Photo: Plant House
Beginner-friendly snake plant is Plant House's most selling plant. Photo: Plant House

“For a beginner, I would suggest starting with plants like that symbolizes peace and luck. Plants that help purify the air and also work as an anti-radiator by absorbing radiations emitted from electronic devices are also good for beginners”, Mukhia says. “Plants that are associated with the Chinese Feng Shui are also a great option”, he adds.

Chinese Money plant is regarded as one of the ‘Feng-Shui’ plants according to the Chinese philosophy of life is said to bring harmonious life, positive energy, and good luck in means of prosperity and wealth to your homes.
Photo: Pots and Plants
Chinese Money plant is regarded as one of the ‘Feng-Shui’ plants according to the Chinese philosophy of life is said to bring harmonious life, positive energy, and good luck in means of prosperity and wealth to your homes. Photo: Pots and Plants

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Pots and Plants Plant House plant shops plants indoor plants plant parent Mental Health productivity small business Kathmandu
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