Australians were left scratching their heads after a photo surfaced showing a “rare” plant on display at a Bunnings store this week, securely enclosed in a cage with a message telling customers to call staff for assistance.
Emerging on social media this week, the image shows a number of Thai constellation monstera inside a metal frame on wheels in one store’s plant department, with a sign posted to the front urging customers to seek assistance if they want a closer look.
“Thai constellation monstera is a ‘rare’, sought-after houseplant with striking, variegated leaves,” the sign said. Aussies quickly flocked to the comments, questioning what all the fuss was about. Many wondered what made the quirky-looking plant so special.
Jarryd Kelly, curator manager for the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney told Yahoo News the plant species — which he described as a statement piece — is in fact in high demand.
“The monstera Thai constellation is rare in a sense,” he said. “While the species Monstera deliciosa is extremely common, the variegation it exhibits, is not.
“House plant lovers can’t wait to get their hands on this statement piece due the unique attribute and perceived beauty.”
House plant lovers can’t wait to get their hands on this Thai constellation monstera, due its rare nature and beauty, experts say. Source: Facebook
Horticulturist agrees Bunnings plant is rare, yet ‘commercialised’
The plant specialist explained this attribute “creates a situation where there is limited availability”.
Adding to this is the fact “it isn’t the fastest plant to propagate”, meaning they’re not as easy to come by.
However, Kelly conceded the plant has “become commercialised”. “Mass production has resulted in more availability and lower prices,” he added.
But that all depends on what people consider a low price. Online on eBay, for example, Thai constellation monstera sell for almost $200. Other online Australian nurseries have prices ranging from $90 to $300.
On social media, Australians shared their mixed reactions to the unusual scene in the store.
“If it’s at Bunnings, that means it’s mass produced. How on earth can you say it’s rare?” one person asked.
“I just love that they’re locked in a cage, presumably to prevent theft — but then that cage is on wheels,” said another. “Despite all the rage it is still just a plant in a cage,” one person joked.
Bunnings explains photo of caged plants
A spokesperson from Bunnings explained the image was taken at a store in WA after some plants became unaccounted for.
“The Monstera Thai Constellations are rare and highly sought after plants. So much so, a few ‘disappeared’ at our O’Conner store in WA recently,” they said.
“To make sure the others didn’t wander off on their own and get ‘lost’ again, we kept them all together! They’re now back in the nursery in their normal spots.”
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