{"id":150530,"date":"2025-06-15T16:09:13","date_gmt":"2025-06-15T16:09:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/there-are-people-growing-rare-plants-at-home-and-reselling-their-offspring-for-hundreds-of-euros\/"},"modified":"2025-06-15T16:09:15","modified_gmt":"2025-06-15T16:09:15","slug":"there-are-people-growing-rare-plants-at-home-and-reselling-their-offspring-for-hundreds-of-euros","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/there-are-people-growing-rare-plants-at-home-and-reselling-their-offspring-for-hundreds-of-euros\/","title":{"rendered":"There are people growing rare plants at home and reselling their &#8216;offspring&#8217; for hundreds of euros."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In bright, filtered light, shelves once filled with books have transformed into an unexpectedly lush business area: the world of \u00a0collectible plants\u00a0. We are not just speaking of exotic flora; we refer to plants with unique patterns and impossible hybrids. In this niche market, some plants can cost more than a pair of Vision Pros, and enthusiasts with discerning eyes\u2014and even better gardening skills\u2014are turning their hobby into a \u00a0lucrative business\u00a0. If you&#8217;re seeking rare plants, don&#8217;t head to a nursery; instead, check out Wallapop.<\/p>\n<p>However, despite the market teeming with enthusiasts willing to pay surprising sums for certain species, the big question remains: \u00a0Can you make a living selling plants?\u00a0 We spoke with two such enthusiasts to delve deeper into how their hobby has evolved into a business.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>The Rising Trend of Indoor Plants<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>During the pandemic, many people turned to hobbies like \u00a0baking bread\u00a0 or \u00a0working out at home\u00a0. Others, however, discovered their passion among pots and cuttings. The interest in \u00a0exotic plants\u00a0 or \u00a0urban gardening\u00a0 predates the pandemic and makes perfect sense, especially in urban settings. Filling a home with greenery goes beyond decoration; it addresses a \u00a0need to connect with nature.\u00a0 Given the context of lockdowns, this trend exploded.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-asset article-asset-normal article-asset-center\">\n<div class=\"desvio-container\">\n<div class=\"desvio\">\n<div class=\"desvio-figure js-desvio-figure\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Simultaneously, the boom of \u00a0&#8216;plantfluencers&#8217;\u00a0 on Instagram contributed to this snowball effect that continues to grow. For example, it was through a book by \u00a0@plantitiscr\u00f3nica\u00a0, a well-known influencer, that Vivi (on Instagram \u00a0@viviyverde\u00a0) got started in the world of plants. Though her following was significantly smaller then, she&#8217;s since taken the plunge into cultivating rare specimens, particularly \u00a0Alocasia\u00a0, which she sells on Wallapop.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, Sergio (on Instagram \u00a0@sergiodendron\u00a0) was inspired by \u00a0Sidney Plant Guy\u00a0. By watching his videos, he learned how to grow plants like \u00a0Philodendron\u00a0 and \u00a0Epipremnum\u00a0 to monstrous sizes.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>From Collecting to Cultivating<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The issue with collecting plants in apartments is space. This challenge prompted Sergio to begin selling some of his plants. In nature, many of these tropical species climb trees to seek precious light. The \u00a0moss pole\u00a0 aims to replicate these conditions, and as Sergio humorously states, &#8220;They grow giants quickly; my home was overflowing.&#8221; When a plant becomes too tall, he has to \u00a0cut it and extend the pole\u00a0. What does he do with the cuttings? With no room left at home, he started selling them.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-asset-summary article-asset-normal\">\n<div class=\"asset-content\">\n<p>Collecting plants in apartments poses a challenge: space. This led Sergio to sell some of them.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-asset-image article-asset-large article-asset-center\">\n<div class=\"asset-content\">\n<div class=\"caption-img \">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750003752_784_There-are-people-growing-rare-plants-at-home-and-reselling.jpeg\" alt=\"Rare Plants\" height=\"1333\" width=\"2000\"\/><br \/>\n        <span>Sergio&#8217;s living room is an authentic jungle.<\/span>\n   <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Once he reached his limit of moss poles, he turned to \u00a0Anthurium\u00a0, one of the trendiest species in plant collecting. Although he admits to being relatively new to growing this species, he is captivated: &#8220;It\u2019s a highly diverse genus. What\u2019s special is that they\u2019re easy to hybridize between different species.&#8221; He often purchases his plants from other European countries and creates his hybrids in his Madrid apartment, many of which he sells on Wallapop.<\/p>\n<p>When asked how many plants he has at home, he responds with another question: &#8220;What do you consider a plant? I have tons of little ones, but I also have large ones that count.&#8221; He estimates he has \u00a0over 300 plants\u00a0, with 70 being larger, and the rest small sprouts.<\/p>\n<p>For Vivi, transitioning from collecting to selling was more intentional. After spending time collecting and creating content about plants, she recognized the market and set up a growing shop. Currently, she has two cultivation areas in her apartment, primarily cultivating \u00a0Alocasia\u00a0. \u00a0She has over 200 plants in her home.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-asset-image article-asset-large article-asset-center\">\n<div class=\"asset-content\">\n<div class=\"caption-img \">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750003753_909_There-are-people-growing-rare-plants-at-home-and-reselling.jpeg\" alt=\"Rare Plants\" height=\"1585\" width=\"2000\"\/><br \/>\n        <span>To the left: One of Vivi&#8217;s cultivation setups. To the right: Orders for the week ready to go.<\/span>\n   <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Vivi also \u00a0sells on Wallapop\u00a0, but her Instagram showcases a more professional approach. She has a logo, invests significantly in packaging, and even offers merchandise. One vital aspect she enjoys is packaging the plants, emphasizing that they must arrive in perfect condition. &#8220;Shipments should be sent on Mondays or Tuesdays. If sent later, the plant might spend the weekend in a warehouse and arrive in poor condition.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Another crucial factor to consider is the legal side. \u00a0Selling plants within the European Union is legal\u00a0 and does not require any special permits, but importing from other countries necessitates a phytosanitary certificate. &#8220;It&#8217;s a hassle,\u201d Sergio remarks. Since last year, Wallapop reports to tax authorities, so earnings must be declared, and sellers need to register as self-employed.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>The Most Coveted Plants<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>What are currently the most expensive plants? Tropical plants attract collectors, with species like \u00a0Philodendron\u00a0, \u00a0Anthurium\u00a0, \u00a0Alocasia\u00a0, and \u00a0Monstera\u00a0 being among the most common. However, not just any specimen will do; \u00a0it must be a rare species, and if it features a unique variegation, even better.\u00a0 Variegation in botany refers to a condition where a plant exhibits tissues of various colors or structure. For example, a \u00a0Monstera albo variegata\u00a0 has the classic \u2018Adam\u2019s rib\u2019 look but with white spots. The whiter and more attractive the pattern, the higher the price.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-asset-image article-asset-large article-asset-center\">\n<div class=\"asset-content\">\n<div class=\"caption-img \">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750003753_316_There-are-people-growing-rare-plants-at-home-and-reselling.jpeg\" alt=\"Rare Plants\" height=\"2107\" width=\"2000\"\/><br \/>\n        <span>Wallapop is filled with rare tropical plants, and some are not cheap.<\/span>\n   <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>However, not all plants of the same type have the same value. For instance, a \u00a0Monstera Thai constellation\u00a0 may cost as low as 60 euros (or more, depending on size), while a \u00a0Monstera Thai constellation miracle tricolor\u00a0 can exceed 600 euros. What\u2019s the difference? The latter features a pattern showcasing green, white, and yellow, a rarity (or miracle, as its name suggests) that sky-rockets its cost.<\/p>\n<p>The trend for \u00a0Alocasia\u00a0 and \u00a0Anthurium\u00a0 continues to rise. There are \u00a0113 species of Alocasia\u00a0 and over \u00a01,000 species of Anthurium\u00a0, with \u00a0new hybrids continually emerging\u00a0, some created by enthusiasts right in their homes. The rarer the result\u2014especially if it features multicolored variegation or mutations\u2014the better. While you may find some hybrids on Wallapop, they won\u2019t be the most expensive ones. Trying sites like \u00a0Aroid Market\u00a0 (an Indonesian store) can lead to finds like \u00a0this variegated Anthurium\u00a0 priced at over 3,000 dollars.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-asset-image article-asset-large article-asset-center\">\n<div class=\"asset-content\">\n<div class=\"caption-img \">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750003753_819_There-are-people-growing-rare-plants-at-home-and-reselling.jpeg\" alt=\"Anthurium Breeding\" height=\"1333\" width=\"2000\"\/><br \/>\n        <span>Some of the Anthurium that Sergio cultivates at home.<\/span>\n   <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Sergio has dabbled in hybridization and successfully crossed several \u00a0Anthurium\u00a0 species, although he admits the results are unpredictable and \u00a0from the same cross, very different plants may emerge\u00a0. It\u2019s also possible to cross \u00a0Alocasia\u00a0, though there&#8217;s less species compatibility, making it trickier. Plus, \u201cAlocasia is delicate; many people struggle to keep them alive,\u201d he adds with a laugh.<\/p>\n<p>Currently, one sought-after plant is the \u00a0Alocasia black velvet pink\u00a0, which inspired Vivi to start her cultivation journey. She appears to have succeeded, as she now \u00a0sells her seedlings for around 120 euros.\u00a0 While she cultivates \u00a0Anthurium\u00a0 as well, her fondness for \u00a0Alocasia\u00a0 is unmistakable. Browsing Wallapop, we found rarer and pricier specimens, all variegated, like this \u00a0Alocasia stingray aurea for 750 euros\u00a0.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-asset-image article-asset-large article-asset-center\">\n<div class=\"asset-content\">\n<div class=\"caption-img \">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750003753_216_There-are-people-growing-rare-plants-at-home-and-reselling.jpeg\" alt=\"Rare Plants 04\" height=\"856\" width=\"1926\"\/><br \/>\n        <span>Some of the Alocasia that Vivi has for sale. On the left, the &#8216;black velvet pink.&#8217;<\/span>\n   <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>If this seems pricey to you, in places like the United States or certain Southeast Asian countries, some specimens cost more than a car. Two years ago, a \u00a0Monstera Devil Monster\u00a0 was sold in Thailand for 40,000 dollars. If someone has an extra 49,000 dollars, they can buy this \u00a0variegated Anthurium papillilaminum sinam fire.\u00a0 It&#8217;s crucial not to forget to water them!<\/p>\n<h2><strong>A Niche and Ever-Changing Business<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In the world of plants, rarity commands a high price, yet as with any market, \u00a0what is rare today may be commonplace tomorrow\u00a0. In the U.S., \u00a0Walmart sells variegated Monstera plants for 30 dollars\u00a0, a price unimaginable just a few years ago. In 2019, a \u00a0Philodendron pink princess\u00a0 could set you back hundreds of dollars, whereas I recently bought one at Aldi for just 6 euros, pot included.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-asset-summary article-asset-normal article-asset-center\">\n<div class=\"asset-content\">\n<p>In 2019, a \u00a0Philodendron pink princess\u00a0 cost hundreds of dollars. Recently, I purchased one at Aldi for 6 euros, pot included.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The buying and selling of collectible plants in Spain lags behind other European countries. Vivi notes that in the Netherlands and Germany, it\u2019s common to find some in physical stores, a rarity in Spain today. These collectors have turned to platforms like Wallapop as a means to earn cash or at least finance their hobbies, but \u00a0the big question is how long this will last.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The market is quite dynamic, but Sergio sees ample potential. \u201cPlants are a \u00a0highly abundant resource\u00a0, and new hybrids or strange mutations will keep appearing.\u201d As in other markets, new \u00a0trends will emerge\u00a0: \u201cIn Southeast Asia, ferns like \u00a0\u2018elk horns\u2019\u00a0 are highly sought after, and in Taiwan, they are crazy for some \u00a0variegated orchids\u00a0.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Can You Make a Living From This?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The further we stray from the \u00a0mainstream\u00a0, the more limited the audience becomes. When discussing rare plants, few know them, and even fewer are willing to purchase one. Furthermore, the pricier the plant, the fewer interested buyers there are. However, it\u2019s also true that the supply isn&#8217;t broad. \u00a0Plants do sell\u00a0. \u201cThe rarest and most expensive plants sell quickly, especially the variegated ones,\u201d Vivi asserts. Sergio concurs: \u201cSpecial plants fly off the shelves, but pricing them right is crucial.&#8221; <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-asset-summary article-asset-normal article-asset-center\">\n<div class=\"asset-content\">\n<p>&#8220;You could potentially live off Instagram (as an influencer) but not from selling plants unless you turn it into a store.&#8221; <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The million-dollar question remains. While there might be individuals willing to pay hundreds of euros for a \u00a0corm of Alocasia\u00a0, whether one can genuinely sustain themselves from this is a different narrative. Sergio believes it\u2019s unlikely, at least not in Spain; in contrast, he sees it as more feasible in countries like the U.S.: &#8220;You could live off Instagram (as an influencer), but not from selling plants unless you establish a store.&#8221; He has no intention of starting a business, but he has made his hobby sustainable: &#8220;I finance the plants I buy with those I sell.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Vivi acknowledges that she&#8217;s just begun and is far from making a living from it, though she doesn&#8217;t rule it out. She also agrees that establishing a store and a more robust infrastructure would be essential to thrive.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-asset article-asset-normal article-asset-center\">\n<div class=\"desvio-container\">\n<div class=\"desvio\">\n<div class=\"desvio-figure js-desvio-figure\">\n     <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"I have no idea about plants: how I used ChatGPT in a nursery to identify which plant I want and learn how to care for it\" width=\"375\" height=\"142\" src=\"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750003753_152_There-are-people-growing-rare-plants-at-home-and-reselling.jpeg\"\/>\n   <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>It may not be a highly lucrative business, but it undeniably involves a passionate component that is crucial for success. \u00a0Caring for plants is a skill that can be developed.\u00a0 Vivi had little knowledge of plants when her boyfriend gifted her a \u00a0Sansevieria\u00a0, yet today she cultivates \u00a0Alocasia\u00a0, which are notoriously difficult to maintain. Sergio says it plainly: &#8220;If you&#8217;re in it solely for the money, you will likely fail. It takes a lot of time and effort to recreate favourable conditions.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Image credit: Vivi Bilale (<a rel=\"noopener, noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/viviyverde\/\" target=\"_blank\">@viviyverde<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/category\/general\/\" rel=\"dofollow\">General News &#8211; 2<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In bright, filtered light, shelves once filled with books have transformed into an unexpectedly lush business area: the world of \u00a0collectible plants\u00a0. We are not just speaking of exotic flora; we refer to plants with unique patterns and impossible hybrids. In this niche market, some plants can cost more than a pair of Vision Pros, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":150531,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36399],"tags":[4849,6110,1134,3734,37050,438,530,1365,37049],"class_list":["post-150530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology","tag-euros","tag-growing","tag-home","tag-hundreds","tag-offspring","tag-people","tag-plants","tag-rare","tag-reselling"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/150530","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=150530"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/150530\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/150531"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=150530"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=150530"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=150530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}