For an extremely oxygenated home, it still manages to take your breath away.

Being welcomed into her lounge, you are instantly awestruck by the sea of vibrant greenery before you – hundreds upon hundreds of lush plants all in their place, and thriving!

There’s a lightness and freshness about the air, with twirling lime-coloured tendrils, bowing leaves of emerald, and delicate pots cast around the living room. The cultivator culprit behind this oasis is the house plant queen herself – Aida Van Dyk.

The Arvida Bethlehem Shores resident says her collection of 300 house plants started just before the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet she had even more back then!

“I probably had more than 500 at that time because I was in the height of my addiction…just constantly plants, plants, plants,” says Aida.

“My plants are everywhere! It starts getting a bit stressful when you have too many and then they start getting bigger, and then you don’t know where to put them.”

What a conundrum to have!

24/7 care

Aida says having this kind of addiction is a full-time gig. Caring for her plants is a 24/7 job –except for on Sundays where she has a break.

“I start around 8 o’clock watering them, polishing them and cleaning.”

When it rains Aida likes to shift her plants outside, but says she has to round them all back in before the sun comes out again.

“It’s a real mission but I enjoy it – and it’s just a really nice hobby to have.”

Aida’s world of plants never fails to impress her visitors either.

“The electrician that last visited said: ‘You have the most beautiful house I’ve ever been to’.”

The village manager Julie Sargisson says: “It’s like a botanical garden…there’s plenty of oxygen there.”

Sometimes Aida even parts with her leafy friends. With a labour of love and care put into them, it’s never easy saying goodbye.

“My daughter will pick one [to take] and then I’ll say: ‘I love you but you have to go’.”

Get growing

For people wanting to get started with house plants, Aida recommends Sansevieria trifasciata, also known as the mother tongue plant.

“You don’t really have to look after them and you don’t have to water them often and it doesn’t grow big branches…they’re pretty easy care.”

She also shares her plant care tips for people going away during summer.

“Put the houseplants outside in the shade and not in direct sunlight. If you can’t put them outside, make sure you place the pot in a bowl of water to keep it hydrated.”

So why the love of the house plant Aida?

“I love my house plants because I think when you have a house plant it gives a different dimension – it makes the house more alive.”