Rare Plant Sold for Thousands of Dollars at Online Auction

レアジョブ英会話 Daily News Article Podcast

A rare houseplant was sold for more than $5,000 on an online bidding site. An anonymous buyer from New Zealand bought a rare variegated houseplant from the online auction site Trade Me. The seller’s minimum price for the plant was only $1, but it was auctioned off for $5,291. According to reports, it was the most expensive plant ever sold on an auction site. The seller’s description indicated that the auctioned item is a rare type of tropical plant species called Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, which is native to Southeast Asia. According to the listing, the houseplant is one-meter tall and continuously growing. The seller said that the rare plant's unique coloring drove its price up. Based on a report, people have been spending more money on houseplants during Covid-19 lockdowns. Many people, who often refer to themselves as “plant parents,” have turned to taking care of houseplants to cope with boredom or stress. Trade Me said that it recently sold one plant for $4,200 and another for more than $3,700. According to one gardener, buying expensive plants is like collecting luxury bags because it creates a sense of exclusivity. Despite the trend, Dr. Bridget Behe, a professor and marketing expert in horticulture, explained that selling expensive plants is merely a matter of creating demand where supply is low.