Indoor plant sales growing

Green fingers: Ho used to sell carnivorous plants but has recently included other plants due to demand. — THOMAS YONG/The Star

JOHOR BARU: The demand for indoor plants has been on the rise during lockdown with people looking for new hobbies to fill their time while staying at home.

Gaianno Ho, 28, who has been selling plants for over three years, said he has been getting more new customers since the lockdown began on June 1.

“I used to only sell carnivorous plants but about a month ago, I decided to also grow and sell indoor plants after seeing an increase in their popularity.

“While demand for carnivorous plants remained the same since last year, indoor plants seem to have caught the attention of many since the lockdown, ” he said.

He sells about 10 varieties of calathea and philodendron indoor plants since the beginning of May.

Chan Chiu Beng, 43, who has been selling bonsai for over 15 years, said the number of customers this month had doubled compared to previous months.

“The art of culturing bonsai has attracted many during the first MCO (movement control order) last year as people see it as a hobby they could indulge in at home.

“The same thing is also happening during the current lockdown where people who are working from home see growing bonsai as a good way to stay occupied, ” he said.

However, despite the current high demand for his bonsai, he found it difficult at times to have the plants delivered.

“There are more places under the enhanced MCO this time and because of that, I could not send the plants to my customers who are living in those areas, ” he said.

Janis Ng Swee Inn, 42, who sells terrariums (miniature gardens in glass containers), said more people have been reaching out to her to ask about the hobby.

“I used to conduct terrarium classes but due to the pandemic, I am now selling DIY (do-it-yourself) terrarium kit instead. There has been a slight sales increase for the DIY kit but most people ask how to start the hobby, ” she said.

Abu Bakar Abd Manaf, 41, who sells indoor plants, said many people have been contacting him on social media to enquire about indoor plants.

“There is an increase in demand but unfortunately I did not have time to take my business online.

“I had to turn down customers temporarily as I am unable to open my shop or deliver the plants during the lockdown, ” he said.