A RARE houseplant addict who has spent nearly £4,000 on hundreds of plants has ambitious plans to continue growing his extensive collection.

Mark Lashmar has more than 250 plants in his house alone after his interest in greenery increased ten fold over the coronavirus lockdown periods.

The 39-year-old IT worker, who lives in Colchester, started collecting plants about five years ago, but he admitted it has become a “real addiction” over the past year.

Gazette:

He said: “Over lockdown I have got really addicted to rare houseplants.

“I sourced the plants from all over the globe.

“Only last week did I actually sit down and make a list of the plants and the value of them.”

Mark keeps hundreds of plants around his house, in special cabinets, in a greenhouse and in his garden.

He even has his own Instagram account showcasing his botanical enthusiasm which has more than 11,600 followers.

Mark said he plans to keep as many plants in his home as he can while his collecting multiplies.

“Who knows, maybe I could build Colchester’s first botanical glasshouse in the future?” he added.

“I have managed to pollinate several and grow berries and seeds and now have seedlings growing which I will consider to sell.”

The plants Mark classes as rare are his collection of araceae(aroids) and he has more than 50 which are potted in a tailored cabinet he has made.

They alone probably have a value of £8,000.

Mark’s rare plants are from places such as Indonesia, Ecuador and Europe.

He said: “I’d say my rarest are my variegated amydrium and my anthurium luxurians, others may say some of my other plants may be rarer but for me these were harder to find at the time.”

Anthurium luxurians have diamond-like leathery green leaves - they can sell for an eye-watering £800.

Variegated amydriums, which have dark green wrinkled leaves, can cost about £200.

For Mark, rare plant collecting has turned into a life-long hobby which he fits around his job.

“I will continue to expand,” he added.

Gazette:

“I’ve always been interested in plants, especially aroids from when I first saw them in botanical glasshouses when I was younger.

“I enjoy connecting up with other hobbyists to learn and trade.”

With an almost encyclopedic knowledge on rare house plants, Mark has been enjoying helping other people with plant care advice.

He added: “I’ve helped loads on Facebook and Instagram.

“At the beginning of lockdown last year I organised a free remote terrarium workshop.”

To find out more about Mark’s collection or contact him for advice on houseplants, he can be found on Instagram under the name @your.babylon.