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.
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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.
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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
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Manchester band Westside Cowboy release ‘thrilling’ debut album that critics are calling one of the year’s best
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s best rising bands have released their debut album today to glowing reviews from critics and fans alike.
Jimmy Bradbury, Reuben Haycocks, Aoife Anson O’Connell, and Paddy Murphy – better known together as Westside Cowboy – formed back in 2023 when they were students at the Royal Northern College of Music, so while they may not all be from Manchester, they definitely have the spirit of our city at the heart of everything they do.
After playing in different bands across the city throughout their student years, the four-piece joined forces to create Westside Cowboy – an indie rock collective credited with self-coining the genre of ‘Britainicana’.
Put simply, Britainicana is a cultural concept that mixes the hazy, mythic feel of American country and folk, with the sound of raw British punk, indie rock, and small-town life.
Westside Cowboy have released their debut album, It Goes On / Credit: Clementine Schniedermann (Press Shots – Supplied)
If that sounds like your cup of tea, then you’ll be pleased to know that Westside Cowboy have released their debut album, It Goes On, to the world today (21 August).
And the reception from critics, arguably, couldn’t be better.
Prior to the release of their debut album, the band had released two EPs, including So Much Country ‘Till We Get There in January earlier this year, and had started to make a name for themselves with their popular debut single ‘I’ve Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Really Love (Until I Met You)’ in 2024.
They went onto make even further waves when they supported equally-rising American rock band Geese on their UK and Irish tour back in March – with many fans calling it one of the best support and main act combinations in some time.
Three singles from their debut album were shared with the world ahead of its release – ‘Kick Stones (The Boys)’ came first, followed by ‘Pin Up Boys’ and ‘Dobro’.
So, it’s fair to say the anticipation for album was high… and if the reviews are anything to go by (which we think they are), it looks like the band has very much delivered what they set out to achieve.
Westside Cowboy’s debut album It Goes On is now available to stream, or you can purchase a physical copy in a range of formats from their website here.
Take a listen👇
Featured Image – Press Shot (Supplied)
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BBC Introducing LIVE is back with events across the North for grassroots music artists
Emily Sergeant
BBC Introducing’s flagship live event will return with a huge lineup of activities for aspiring musicians and music creators this autumn.
To celebrate and champion undiscovered talent across the country, BBC Introducing LIVE will include an array of live performances, immersive workshops, educational panels, and networking opportunities for grassroots artists, DJs, and music creators, all at the start of their careers.
Introducing LIVE will head across the UK, including hosting four special gigs in Leeds and a songwriting camp in Manchester.
The BBC Introducing Songwriting Camp is an invite-only event offering an ‘unparalleled’ experience for artists and creatives to develop skills and collaborate with industry professionals in a real music studio.
Then, on Saturday 28 November, BBC Introducing will host four showcases across Leeds, celebrating some of the best new music from across the UK – with independent music venues The Wardrobe, Belgrave Music Hall, and Oporto all taking part.
While up in Sunderland, following the success of BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend there earlier this year, a special takeover event will take place at The Fire Station – with a day of panels, workshops, open mics, and an industry feedback centre planned, all designed to support and inspire the next generation of musicians and music industry professionals.
Other northern cities hosting events during this year’s programme are Gateshead, and major music city Liverpool.
Many successful artists, including the North’s very-own Sam Fender, as well as big names like Ed Sheeran, Raye, Olivia Dean, and Loyle Carner, all began their careers with support from BBC Introducing.
“Championing and nurturing artists and creatives is at heart of everything BBC Introducing does, and so I’m excited that Introducing LIVE will be returning in November for our biggest year yet,” commented Kelly Betts, who is the Editor of BBC Introducing.
“BBC Introducing will be at events, panels, and gigs across the UK giving emerging talent the opportunity to learn from industry experts, make music and connect with fellow artists.
“Music has the power to unite, inspire, and shape our culture and BBC Introducing’s flagship event will help some of the UK’s rising stars on their journey to achieve this.”
Emily Sergeant -
25th January 2022 
