Buzz
From pots and plant food to high-end gardening tools, maintaining a houseplant can quickly become a costly endeavor. In a recent event, a buyer in New Zealand shelled out nearly $20,000 to acquire a rare plant. According to CNN, a white variegated Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma was sold for approximately $19,300, setting a new record as the most expensive houseplant ever sold.
The 'mini monstera' plant triggered a fierce bidding competition after being listed on Trade Me, a New Zealand auction platform, in June 2021. In the final moments of the auction, users foliage_patch and meridianlamb engaged in a heated battle, driving the price to unprecedented heights. Ultimately, meridianlamb secured the plant for $27,100 NZD, equivalent to $19,297 USD. By the auction's conclusion, the listing had garnered over 102,000 views and was added to the watch lists of 1,600 users.
Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma, a rare plant indigenous to Southern Thailand and Malaysia, is highly sought after for its split, monstera-like leaves that flourish in tropical climates. The New Zealand specimen was exceptionally unique, featuring eight variegated leaves (displaying multiple colors) and a new leaf on the verge of unfurling.
This variegated Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma stands as the most expensive houseplant to date, surpassing the previous record-holder, which sold for $5300 in 2020. Interestingly, the former record-holder was also of the same species and was sold in New Zealand. Globally, including New Zealand, the prices of houseplants have been steadily climbing. During 2020, when people were confined to their homes, the demand for purchasing plants almost doubled.
