Timothy Sim’s love affair with houseplants began during the Covid-19 pandemic as a form of self-care. His nearly five-year-old alocasia collection sits in a glasshouse he lovingly built from scratch. You can check out how he did it on his Instagram (@thegreencitizen.sg).
It is also the place where he declutters from the daily hustle and bustle by watering plants, repotting them, and eliminating pests. If you happen to drop in, ask to see his mint-variegated Alocasia longiloba.
How did your passion for plants begin?
It was midway through Covid-19. A moment of “Wow, I kept this alive. I must be doing something right” led to five more plants, then 10. Before I knew it, I had a plant-filled living room!
What is your favourite from your collection?
Alocasia is a genus in the family Araceae that I keep. It is among the most notoriously difficult houseplants to grow. It is rather dramatic as it has a fine root system, and changes in factors such as light, water, and humidity can lead to sudden death.
I love it because of its unique looks and ability to reproduce quickly. My favourite is the mint-variegated Alocasia longiloba. Its leaves have a distinct pattern because of a consistent lack of chlorophyll.
What inspired you to build a glasshouse?
I wanted to optimise the growing conditions for my plants. I built this glasshouse to mimic their natural habitat. Just sourcing materials on Taobao took a few months. With the help of my friends, I put everything together.
What factors do you consider when choosing plants for your collection?
Other than a handful of anthuriums I kept on a whim, all are alocasias. My collecting style is very specific—it boils down to whether I enjoy keeping the plant or whether it pays off when I sell seedlings or offshoots. My collection is endless due to the sheer variety of even one genus.
Photography Mun Kong
Photography assistant Melvin Leong
Art direction Ed Harland
