Gwen started with her plant library during the Coronapandemie, when shops were closed and everyone is obliged to eat at home. “We were at home a lot, plants are expensive, and not everyone can afford a green living room,” she says. “So I thought: why not a place where you can exchange plants instead of buying?”
Not everyone plays honestly
Although the system usually works well, there are unfortunately also times when plants disappear without anything coming in. “Then the cupboard is suddenly empty,” says Gwendolyn. “But luckily there are often surprisingly nice plants in return.”
And what if you have no idea how to cut a plant? No worries, says Gwendolyn: “I don’t have any green fingers either. I only know a few plant names. But with a little help from the internet or YouTube you learn it that way: according to her, most plants are fortunately very easy to cut, so everyone can participate. Being unable to cut is no excuse not to leave anything in the library.
Especially for neighbors
The Plantenbieb is in principle intended for everyone, but in particular neighbors make use of it, says the plant librarian. “Especially local residents who can easily walk up and down with a plant,” says Gwendolyn. “But sometimes people also get further, those cutting routes run.”