Match-making service helps people find the houseplant of their dreams

By Charlie Bayliss via 72Point

A 'plant dating' pop-up has sprouted to help people find the perfect houseplant for them.

The ‘Lonely Plants Club’ is a match-making service that helps people find the ideal flora to suit their lifestyles and personalities.

It gives people the opportunity to get to know a new houseplant before getting too involved and taking one home.

Taking place at the Lucky Club in London, UK, the event was created after a study found that 78 percent of adults take their time researching their options before committing to a new 'relationship' with a houseplant.

The research also found the typical adult has owned a single plant for as many as five years, with just seven percent claiming they have managed the same length of time in a human relationship.

Of those polled 79 percent said they browse Google for plant inspiration, with 16 percent turning to Instagram when looking for ideas.

And 21 percent admitted to being green with envy at anyone who has a thriving houseplant collection.

A spokesman, from The Joy of Plants said: "Finding a new plant love isn’t all that different to finding a new partner. It takes a lot of research, some trial and error and a sprinkle of chemistry to find ‘the one.'

“So, we’ve set up this plant dating pop-up to help match plant singletons with their leafy love matches.

"As the winter nights are beginning to draw in, and we’ll be spending more time inside, we are encouraging everyone to get ‘plant-nered’ up.”

The study also found the average person boasts six potted pals in their home, and 61 percent reckon they’re good at taking care of these botanical beauties.

Although 60 percent of those polled admitted they had let a plant die by not taking good enough care of it.

When deciding which plants to commit to, the top three ‘vital statistics’ adults look for include how much water they need, what type of light suits them and where they might fit in within their home’s current aesthetic.

And nine percent believe houseplants and flowers make good companions in their life, with 34 percent considering plants a great topic of conversation for a first date.

It also emerged 83 percent say they’d be impressed if someone had extensive knowledge of plants.

While 18 percent would be more attracted to a love interest who has an enthusiasm for houseplants, as it shows they are caring (48 percent), have shared interests (65 percent) and are responsible (49 percent).

The poll of 2,000 plant enthusiasts, carried out via OnePoll, found six in 10 have taken a keen interest because it’s a great way of bringing nature inside your home.

While 51 percent enjoy watching their beloved plants thrive and grow.

It was set up by plant inspiration site, The Joy of Plants, with the help of Mr. Plant Geek.

Attendees at the launch of the pop-up last night (October 12, 2022) were given the opportunity to find their perfect plant match and take it home.

Mr. Plant Geek, a horticulturalist, TV presenter and the host of the event, said: “Houseplants are a great way to experience the mood-boosting feelings you get from caring for someone - or something - else and watching them thrive and grow as a result of the time, care and attention you put into them.”