Meet the Club #1 - @benjiva

Welcome to Meet the Club. In this short interview series you will get to know Plantclubbers from all over Europe. Discover their plant journeys, favourite plants and the lessons they've learned along the way. In this edition, we've interviewed Plantclubber Benjamin from the Netherlands (@benjiva). 

When did you start collecting plants? 
I started collecting in 2019. I still remember the excitement of collecting and propagating. Swapping cuttings with other plant enthusiasts through Facebook.

After a few months of collecting my plant obsession turned to rare plants, particularly aroids. The hobby quickly escalated. Whenever people came over to my place, their jaw dropped once they saw the amount of plants I had. There’s always room for one more, right?

Do you remember your first plant? Is this plant still alive?
While I can’t remember my first houseplant, I do vividly remember my first rare plant. My first rare plant was a large variegated Monstera Deliciosa which sadly died shortly after because of cold damage during transport. RIP.

What's your current plant count? Any room for more plants?
I currently "only" have 47 plants. There's always room for more plants! 

What’s your favorite plant in your collection and why?
Anthurium Warocqueanum, the queen of the Jungle. For me this is the godfather, or godmother, of all rare houseplants. The dark colour, the velvet texture and the long shape of the leaves, it just doesn’t get any better. Whenever I invite people over, the queen is the first thing they see. Unfortunately she is a pain in the ass to care of.
 
Which plant is currently #1 on your Wishlist?
I need a variegated Philodendron Spiritus Sancti!

What’s the biggest lesson you have learned as a plant parent?
Sometimes my plants just want to be left alone! My most thriving plants are those I always forget to water.