This Houseplant Sold for Almost $20,000 and Had Over 248 Bids
Even before Covid hit, houseplants had become treasured items in millennial homes for sure, but also everyone else's—have you seen the houseplants-are-the-new-kids memes lately? But nothing illustrates that point better than this odd bit of news out of New Zealand: An unidentified flora lover shelled out almost $20,0000 USD for a rare version of a Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma plant. According to a report by CNN, the nine-leafed plant went up for sale on a New Zealand online auction platform known as Trade Me. After more than a week and 248 people bids, the white-variegated greenery went on to be sold for $19,200 USD.
"After a heated bidding war in the auction's final minutes, the rare plant had over 102,000 views and more than 1,600 watch lists, which just goes to show how much Kiwis adore houseplants," Trade Me spokesperson Millie Silvester told CNN. She added that it was the site's "most expensive houseplant ever sold."
While most of the auction page's commenters expressed a mix of disappointment that they couldn't afford the outrageous price tag and happiness to see the plant go to a loving home, others were skeptical about the seller's intentions to make a worthy donation to charity. But that outcome seems likely, as they have donated profits from the sale of a rare variegated monstera plant in the past.
While we're all still scratching our heads as to the significance of this particular plant, no one can deny that the record-breaking bid showcases the rising status of houseplants in the hierarchy of coveted possessions. We won't be surprised if more stories like this pop up in the very near future.
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