It’s been discovered this week that retailers Lidl and B&Q have accidentally been selling rare plants that are worth thousands for some very reduced prices.
According to the Mirror, it’s not necessarily the type of plant that’s so rare, but what supermarkets and retailers don’t always know is that some small naturally-occurring variations in the common plants that they do stock can actually make them extremely valuable – and what’s more is that these variations are sometimes mistaken for disease.
This common disease mistake often means that the shops end up selling the plants at a reduced price because it.
As mad as it sounds, apparently some of the plants are being sold by Lidl and B&Q for around £10, but when you do a little bit of research into the type of plant, you’ll find that they’re listed for much higher online.
Even just a small part of it, like a leaf or stem, would set you back thousands.
ADVERTISEMENT
One of the most common plants to find in any shop is the Monstera Deliciosa – which is more commonly-known as a Swiss Cheese plant, because of the holes in its leaves – but while a regular green plant isn’t worth much, a variegated monstera is very rare, and because the signs of this can be subtle in young plants, shops often mix them up with the plain variety and sell them for £10.
Even a single branch of the plant could end up costing thousands, with Etsy’s most expensive listed at £4,562.18.
ADVERTISEMENT
A regular Monstera Adansonii can develop white spots that cause shops to sell them for cheap, but yet again, these spots are easily-confused with the beginnings of variegation – which has the same white stripes on the stem as the Deliciosa – meaning listings on Esty have been found to start at £200, going up to as much as £1,533.39 for a single leaf, with the most expensive variegated Adansonii currently listed for sale on eBay at £3,699.
Another rare plant is the Philodendron White Princess, but with over 400 species of Philodendron in the world, shops might struggle to differentiate between them, and just like the Monsteras, a Philodendron with white leaves is worth more than a regular plant.
Variations are commonly mistaken for disease, and shops end up selling the plants at a reduced price because it / Credit: Unsplash (Annie Spratt)
These plant variations have been spotted by eagle-eyed shoppers at reported in the Mirror as being sold online for £40, while others are stocking them for £120, and on Etsy, they are even listed for as much as £4,216.82.
Other rare and expensive plant variations spotted being mistakenly sold for reduced prices include the Pink Princess Philodendron (PPP), and Monstera Obliqua.
Featured Image – Lidl GB
Trending
Family-run Greater Manchester business calls out customers for punching cakes
Thomas Melia
A well-known independent Greater Manchester business has taken to social media to call out customers who were caught on CCTV punching their cakes.
Known for everything from cakes and pastries to hot baked goods and custom chocolate designs, Slattery’s in Whitefield has been serving up their gorgeous cake and chocolate creations for over 50 years, all while keeping the business family-run.
Unfortunately, the reason they’re receiving lots of attention at the minute is due to two customers resorting to violence on their pre-packaged sweet-treat products.
The social media account for this Greater Manchester chocolatier has uploaded two images which show the outcome of the fatal blows which struck two of their Victoria Sponge cakes.
Although this punch may have cost them the price of two of their delicious traybakes, later on in the post, Slattery’s issues a big thanks to “All the wonderful families who’ve visited so far this summer.”
“We know cake can be exciting, but a gentle reminder that little bakers should remain under adult supervision at all times – Thank you.”
This third-generation family-run “chocolate wonderland” has brought a smile to many locals’ and tourists’ faces alike with their wide variety of unique-shaped chocolate bars, lollies, grab bags and more.
All throughout 2021, Slattery’s were serving up their moreish Slattery’s Chocolate Lockdown Platters consisting of shortbread, brownies, fudge, pretzels, marshmallows and Oreos, helping Mancs continue to get our sugary fix even during one of the country’s toughest times.
Just look at them – they do the lord’s work:
Slattery’s chocolate shop and bakery has called out customers on social media for punching their pre-packaged cakes / Credit: The Manc Group
As well as attracting visitors with its grand three-storey bakery and chocolate shop, Slattery’s also has its very own restaurant, Mason’s Dining Room, where people flock to attempt the ‘Chocolate Challenge’.
To win, two chocoholics must team up to finish an American-style chocolate fudge cake with chocolate ice cream, a portion of fresh cream and two chocolate pots filled with liquid chocolate sauce – oh and two delicious hot chocolate drinks too.
Any sweet tooth successor will bag themselves one of Slattery’s chocolate medals and a box of handmade chocolates too – in case you needed chocolate anymore.
Lastly, anyone after supporting this Greater Manchester sweet-treat provider can find the chocolatier and cake makers on 197 Bury New Road in Whitefield or via Slattery’s official website HERE.
Featured Images – The Manc Group/Slattery’s (via Instagram)
Trending
Plans to build tower next to Manchester’s historic Britons Protection pub scrapped
Danny Jones
Punters, rejoice: plans to build a large apartment tower next to Manchester’s Britons Protection pub have reportedly been scrapped after a long, drawn-out process and widespread protests.
What a relief.
One of the city’s oldest boozers, the Britons Protection was due to be dwarfed by a large development reaching 26 storeys tall, which not only would have encroached on the cultural landmark and storied watering hole, but also blocked out its popular beer garden to the rear.
We’ve seen a similar loss of outdoor drinking space with the recent St Michael’s development, which has essentially removed the equally historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub – though it is at least getting a refurb – but in truth, the ‘Protect the Protection’ fight has been going on much longer.
As per a notice published on Manchester City Council’s website this week, it now appears that the plans for 72 new flats have been cancelled, with developers Arrowsmith Management having officially withdrawn their application.
Run by Bahraini businessman Mohamed Abbas Haji, the company is now said to be reassessing its options for the ‘Apex Tower’ proposals.
Speaking to the BBC, Mark Brennan – who took over the pub back in January 2025 – said: “I’m quite happy to be honest, a lot of people say the pub might be busier with more people about, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to people coming in here.”
“It would have looked horrendous… It’s Grade II-listed, so the pub should always be here. It wouldn’t have been a good look, having a big ugly building on top of our building.”
Countless Mancunians have echoed the sentiment over the past few years, with appeals dating back to post-pandemic and a big awareness push in 2021.
Standing for more than two centuries and holding countless awards, it was never going to go quietly.
It also happens to be quite comfortably on our list of the cosiest pubs in Manchester and has been since day dot.
Anyone who’s been in will know the sense of a warm welcome the place always puts out, and we’re overjoyed to hear that years of petitions and campaigning to save it have paid off.
These stories don’t always end with the right outcome (not often enough, anyway), so we’ll definitely be raising a glass to the Britons Protected this weekend.
Unfortunately, we do still have some other sad news from the hospitality sector, as our oldest Manc publican has passed away at a fellow favourite pub.
Emily Sergeant -
25th January 2022 
