Last month, a Reddit member had a falling out with her 14-year-old niece over a case of plant theft. The Reddit member had asked her niece to take care of her collection of tropical indoor plants, but returned to find them destroyed. The niece had taken cuttings and sold them, including valuable plants like the Monstera Albo. The incident sheds light on the growing houseplant market, where rare plants can sell for thousands of pounds. The market has led to plant speculation, swindling, and even plant crime. The lack of regulation in the market poses risks to both buyers and sellers.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilfering of rare plants on the rise | Increase in plant theft | Increased security measures for plant protection | Growing demand and high value of rare plants |
| Houseplant market experiencing a bubble | Speculation and scams surrounding plants | Increased regulations and oversight in the houseplant market | Social media influence and desire for rare and valuable plants |
| Value of plants derived from scarcity and uniqueness | High value of rare and variegated plants | Development of new plant varieties and techniques for artificial coloration | Scarcity and uniqueness of certain plant species |
| Unregulated online plant trade contributing to plant crime | Rise in illegal plant trade | Strengthened regulations and enforcement in the online plant trade | Lack of regulation and oversight in online plant sales and trading |
| Increased focus on plant conservation and protection | Greater emphasis on plant protection | Enhanced conservation efforts and protection of endangered plant species | Concerns over the loss of plant biodiversity and ecological impact |