E-Paper
Sign In
A street for plants, flowers
Satwa is an area of contrasts - from high-end villas to the bustling Dhiyafah Street. It is the right area to explore different worlds.
- PUBLISHED: Sat 20 Aug 2011, 10:58 PM UPDATED: Wed 20 Sept 2023, 2:18 PM
Between Al Satwa Road and Al Wasl Road, there is Al Hudaiba Street, nicknamed as 'Plant Street', where you can buy plants and flowers of all colours, sizes and shapes.
You will find, nestled among vegetable shops, furnishing businesses and gift shops, several places selling cut flowers and plants. These shops are overflowing with seasonal plants, pots and a good range of seeds and it offers a market-like atmosphere.
Recommended For You
Rajeeb K, shopkeeper of National Flowers, said: “The shop has been around for 20 years. We sell garden tools, fertilisers, and indoor and outdoor plants. The business here is reasonably well but the season starts in November. During Christmas, we also stock fir trees.”
In a day, around 30 people visit. “American and European expats come here the most. Outdoor plants can cost up to Dh2,000. Some plants and pots also start from Dh1. Most of the plants are from Holland and Canada.”
For apartment dwellers or those who wish to add to or beautify their existing outside areas, sourcing individual plants, trees, shrubs, decorative pots, soil and composts is a relatively simple search in the street. Prices are reasonable and discounts are given depending on the quantity. It sells pretty much everything you could need for your outdoor space, and also has a number of basic nurseries. Hamad and Khalid Agricultural has also been in the street for more than 20 years. Abdul Latif, manager, said: “We sell bouquets, plant food, vitamins, shining spray and other accessories.” According to Abdul, prices of the pots can range from Dh5 to Dh100, a water can costs Dh25, garden shear for Dh10 and bouquets range from Dh25 to Dh500.
“Business is very good here and we get a good mix of western expats as well as Emiratis. Lots of people come to this market between November and March. Most of the items in the shop come from Holland but the bamboo plants come from China and costs Dh25 each,” added Abdul.
Almost all indoor decorative plants in these shops are imported, mostly from Holland and some from Belgium. Depending upon the type, variety and size, the price of an indoor plant may vary from Dh10 to Dh2,500.
Pak Arab Nurseries also sells the basic indoor and outdoor plants. Mohammed Illyas, shopkeeper, said: “We sell flowers, fertilisers and plants such as jasmine, palm tree and mango fruit among others. The Asian expats mostly come here to buy the money plant. The palm trees are also quite popular. The business is excellent here and people from all walks of life visit the market and take home plants that add more freshness to their lives.”
British expatriate Lucy James said: “I live in the Springs and we have a beautiful verandah in our villa. To decorate it, I usually experiment with different outdoor plants available in this market. The choices here are quite good and it is really affordable. I come here once in three months to stock up plants and other necessary garden tools.”
The use of indoor decorative and exotic plants in hotels, homes, commercial buildings, offices and business premises has increased considerably in the recent years and the Plant Street offers the right mix to add the green element to our everyday lives.
deepa@khaleejtimes.com