Written by
Sabina
Monstera, also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, is a popular houseplant originally found in the jungles of Mexico. But before this tropical beauty reaches the shelves as a houseplant, it has already been on quite a journey. An important part of that journey takes place in the greenhouses at VDE plant, where young cuttings grow into strong plants that are eventually sold at retailers including IKEA. Throughout the growing process, special attention is paid to something every plant needs: water. Curious to find out how VDE makes every drop count? Read on!
About VDE plant
VDE plant is a family business that has been growing tropical houseplants for over 75 years. What began as a small nursery has grown into a modern business. At VDE plant, knowledge passed down through generations is combined with sustainable growing techniques. Run by Karin van der Eijk and her business partners, the company puts sustainability, innovation and a love of greenery at the heart of everything it does.
Among the plants VDE plant grows is Monstera deliciosa Tauerii. The cuttings come from Evanthia, where they are grown from seed sourced in Mexico. They then grow on at VDE plant, becoming the Monsteras that eventually find their way into our homes.
As growers, we use water carefully. That’s why we recycle all the water we give our plants.
Sustainable water management
VDE plant uses a fully closed water system. Here’s how it works: rainwater is collected on the greenhouse roofs and channelled through a network of pipes into large reservoirs. From there, the plants receive exactly the amount of water they need. Any water the plants don’t absorb flows into return tanks and is reused. This keeps the water circulating and makes every drop go further. This is especially important during dry spells, as the closed system means much less fresh water is needed to grow the plants.
Curious to see how this closed water system works in practice? Karin takes you around the nursery and shows you the journey the water takes.
We also care about everything that grows and blooms outside the greenhouse. That’s why we mow the ditch banks as little as possible, helping biodiversity thrive.
Discover more growers’ stories
Curious to hear more stories from flower and plant growers? Discover the expertise at Maatschap Van der Linden en Zoon, where hundreds of colourful Dahlias are grown. Or take a look at Marginpar’s fields in Africa and discover how Clematis, naturally a climbing plant, also shines in a vase as a long-lasting cut flower.
