The 4th Phnom Penh Plant and Garden Fair concluded with great success on its final day, wrapping up a three-day event at the Connexion Green Center on Koh Pich.
Hosted by the Phnom Penh Houseplant Festival, the fair attracted plant enthusiasts, gardeners, and nature lovers from across Cambodia. The exhibition featured over 200 rare plant species, sparking conversations about biodiversity and environmental conservation in the region.
One of the standout displays was the Botanical Garden Zhuidas, a rare plant native to Panama. Cultivated at the Vrije University Botanical Research Garden in Amsterdam since 1967, this plant’s striking beauty caught visitors’ attention. Beyond its aesthetics, it plays a key role in purifying the air and reducing heat, making it an essential tool in fighting climate change.
Philippine Ambassador Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo also visited the fair, enjoying the displays.
The plant was brought to Cambodia by Mystique Tropicals, a plant nursery at the Queen Mother Library in Phnom Penh. Mystique Tropicals aims to promote environmental sustainability and raise awareness about plant conservation. Co-founders Chey Vireak and Ang Sok-Heng shared their vision for the nursery, emphasizing the importance of harmonizing knowledge and nature.
“We wanted to create a space where people could truly connect with plants,” Vireak explained. “Through these rare species, we hope to inspire the younger generation to love nature and protect Cambodia’s unique biodiversity.”
The event was more than just a plant display. It also offered workshops, plant care demonstrations, and expert talks to help visitors learn how to care for rare species. These activities focused on deepening understanding of plant care and the role plants play in enhancing biodiversity.
The fair highlighted how plants like the Botanical Garden Zhuidas contribute to healthier urban environments. Vireak emphasized that these plants play a crucial role in promoting sustainability, especially in cities like Phnom Penh. “Introducing rare species can inspire sustainable gardening practices and greater respect for nature,” he said.
The presence of greenery also promotes mindfulness and tranquility, transforming the Queen Mother Library into a peaceful retreat while enhancing ecological awareness.
Plant nurseries focused on rare, exotic, and native plants are essential to botanical conservation and education. Though this concept is still emerging in Cambodia due to limited access to diverse species and low awareness of conservation, Vireak noted growing interest in environmentalism is making such nurseries more popular.
“The idea of botanical education is gaining traction,” he said, “and we hope it continues to grow.”
In addition to celebrating plant life, the fair provided a chance for like-minded individuals to gather, network, and foster a sense of community. Vireak believes gardening offers therapeutic benefits, helping individuals process grief, reconnect with life, and find purpose. He explained that the presence of plants can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, benefiting both the body and the mind.
With its focus on rare plants, sustainability, and education, the Phnom Penh Plant and Garden Fair has become a key event for plant lovers in Cambodia.
