Nurseries in Doha are witnessing a steady demand for both indoor and outdoor plants as the scorching summer heat is expected to recede gradually over the coming weeks.
“It is usual to see a lot of people come to us looking for outdoor plants during this time of the year but we also noticed a continuous demand for indoor plants as well,” a nursery staff at Al Thumama told Gulf Times.
She said cacti are among the fast-moving items, apart from peace lily, aloe vera, money and snake plants, which easily grow indoors and require less maintenance.
Many residents find it relaxing and stress-relieving to collect different types of cacti and succulents, she said.
“It is a hobby that seemed to have continued beyond the stay or work from home period amid the Covid-19 outbreak in the past few months,” she pointed out.
It is learnt that these types of indoor plants offer various health benefits such as absorbing carbon dioxide and radiation, among other toxins, providing fresh air inside the houses and rooms.
Cacti and succulents are also known to help improve concentration and mood, in addition to helping sick people to recover faster due to their therapeutic properties.
A gardener at a nursery located near the Wholesale Market in Doha said they have also been receiving an increasing number of walk-in customers in the past two weeks, particularly during the weekends.
As many families in Doha have started beautifying their gardens, he said they are now receiving more orders of flowering and other ornamental plants such as bougainvillea, various types of orchids, and Saintpaulia, among others.
“This is a time where we also try to meet the growing demand for these types of plants because many families think of improving their home gardens during the cooler months,” the gardener said, adding that the next few months (October onwards) will see more customers flocking to the nurseries.
He said many residents who have a passion for gardening and backyard farming grow their own vegetables and fruits such as spinach, basil, cherry tomato, eggplant, and lady finger (okra), among others.
“People nowadays prefer organic fresh produce, including herbs and green leafy vegetables, and so they buy seedlings, potting soil and large pots from us,” he added.
Besides fruit and vegetable seeds and seedlings, an employee of Al Madaen Flower Gardens said they also expect the demand for pots of various sizes, designs and colours, and other garden/hand tools and accessories, in addition to potting soil and fertilisers, to rise.
