When Sidney Vollmer and his daughter water their houseplants, they greet them with a “hello”. The Amsterdam-based writer has used the time at home this year to transform himself – and his daughter – into green-fingered plant advocates, as he explains in his long read How we are going to save the world with houseplants. For Vollmer, caring for the plants in our homes is a first step towards living a more ecological life, and this led him to turn his lockdown hobby into an initiative for global change. His goal is simple: use the power of plants to improve the environment beyond your front door, whether by sowing flower beds on your local street or handing out cuttings and seeds to people in need of some green. The benefits of spreading nature are countless, from improved air quality inside to calmer, more livable cities outside. The result: a cleaner planet and happier people. Vollmer’s plan for change started with mini pots of sweet peas and avocados watered by his daughter. What little plant will inspire you to make a big change? (Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Pflanzenfreude.de & Cassidy Phillips)
Sidney Vollmer’s long read can be found on Thejoyofplants.co.uk, a partnership with Flowercouncil of Holland
