Rare plant collector, propagator and occasional seller Khairil Izzuan shares step-by-step pointers when starting your own rare plant collection
To most people, Philodendron is just a plant but to a growing community of rare plant collectors, parting with RM22,000 for a small Philodendron Spiritus Sancti is absolutely plausible (and in fact, happening right here in Malaysia). This worldwide phenomenon began during the pandemic when interest in greenery skyrocketed as people were home-bound and bored. Social media also helped drive the market for unusual varieties and with soaring demands came high prices. Sold by nurseries and also private propagators, prices can start start from RM80 for a Philedendron Horsehead to RM1,200 for a Monstera Albo.
Both these plants come under the Aroid family, which is a broad definition for plants from the Araceae family defined by their flowers borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. Alocasias, Colocasias, Syngoniums, Caladiums, Eppipreniums and Anthuriums also fall under this variety—yet not all aroids are created or at least priced equally. Being the plant family du jour, enthusiasts jostle to buy rare varieties of Aroids.
For Khairil Izzuan, COO of Smart Digital International Sdn. Bhd, his rare plant journey began quite unexpectedly. "Back in February 2020 (right before MCO started), I tagged along with a friend to pick his plant up from a nursery. It was a Monstera Thai Constellation. I never imagined that I would start collecting these rare plants until that very day," he recalls. "A lot of plants caught my eye, so I did some research (with the plant photos i took from the nursery). The more I dived in, the more fascinated I became. The following week I went to another nursery with the same friend and bought a Monstera Thai Constellation. The rest is history."
Today, Khairil has accumulated hundreds of pots of his beloved aroids and is a respected authority on rare plants in the Malaysian plant community. He shares pictures of his collection, which he buys, propagates and occasionally sells, on his Instagram account. He also often organises events on IG Live where fellow plant enthusiasts discuss plants and share knowledge about their common obsession.
Khairil explains he gets his information from YouTube, fellow Aroiders online, blogs, websites, and social media, especially Instagram. As for the gasp-evoking prices, he says that they are dictated by the demand and supply from the community.
"The rarer and more complex the process of propagating and caring for the plant, the higher the prices.For example, Philedendron Spiritus Sancti is highly valued due to its difficulty to propagate," he says. "A small mistake during propagation may cause the cuttings and the mother plant to die. Only highly experienced Aroiders can care and with luck, multiply it."
In fact, Khairil adds that there are now more Philedendron Spiritus Sancti in private collections than in the wild. If you're intrigued and don't know where to start, Khairil shares five tips on how to get started on your own rare plant collection.
