BY ATHENA PABDER
“It’s a plant paradise that could burn a hole in your pocket.”
If you’ve become a plant mom (or dad) during this pandemic, your house must look like a jungle now. Plants are good for your health and soul, so we don’t judge if you’re losing sleep over that monstera.
You’ve probably scoured through Instagram and Marketplace to find that perfect plant or have driven to Cavite or Bulacan for the best soil. But if you live in Metro Manila, you can quickly go south (the Skyway is open!) to enjoy a plantita adventure at two newly-opened plant havens.
Check these out:
- Las Pinas Nursery and Botanical Garden
Finally, a new site in the metropolis for all things plants in Las Piñas (Alabang, Zapote Road, in front of Doña Cristeta Subdivision)–and we see many photogenic spots already. There are sunflowers, greenhouses, and several landscaped areas. It’s a perfect spot for that new profile pic.
You will also learn more about plants. Each plant species has readable labels; it’s like a plant field trip. The best part? You can get a plant and more for free! Ask for seedlings, fertilizers, and help make the world a greener place.
The area is vast and physical distancing is easy to follow. When you head on to this place, remember to keep your masks on and often sanitize your hands. Children under five are prohibited based on current government rules on COVID restrictions.
Operating hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 12 nn noon on Sundays. Entrance is currently free, according to the City of Las Pinas Facebook page.
- The Greenhouse at Village Square Alabang
It’s a plant paradise that could burn a hole in your pocket. This lovely building is home to many plant variants, gardening accessories, and so much more. Think of it as a plant department store, where you can shop all day in its diverse sections–plants, flowers, pots, planting essentials, baskets. Name it, and they have it. If you get tired and hungry, you can visit their al fresco Garden Cafe.
At the Greenhouse, neophyte plant moms can learn the basics of planting, bonsai caring, succulent gardening. You can also get ideas on how to spruce up your pocket garden. It opened on July 14 and got many metro plantittas excited.
The Greenhouse at Village Square Alabang is on Concha Cruz Drive, corner Alabang–Zapote Road, Almanza Uno, Las Piñas. It operates from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Sunday.
