Chez Ann-Laure, from Sansevieria to alocasias

Ann-Laure grew up surrounded by her mother's geraniums. At home, she prefers exotic plants. Today, she cohabits with over 80 specimens in her 60 m² home. From the indomitable mother-in-law's tongue to the very demanding alocasia, she tells us all about her journey as a plant addict.

I first became interested in plants in 2019, when I moved to Lyon. I went to a specialist sale and thought I'd keep it simple for my debut. I chose mother-in-law's tongue because I knew it wouldn't die right away. For a long time, I didn't take anything more because I didn't have enough space. But since I've moved, I've got them everywhere.

I stopped counting after 75! I only have houseplants. Almost all of them are tropical species. However, my apartment isn't particularly suited to growing them: it's cool in winter and too hot in summer! I choose them by chance. I spot a variety that I find cute or amusing.

I have three or four marantas, monsteras, lots of alocasias, chain of Hearts and quite a few Pothos. I've installed my collection on two shelves in my living room. It has also taken over my hallway, which has become my plant room. That's where I treat and repot them. Finally, I have four or five specimens in the office, which is nice when you're telecommuting.

I try to give preference to small plants: they take up less space, so I can have more! I also cut them up to multiply them. That way, I can give them away or add to my collection.

I recently bought a Monstera acuminata, which is very beautiful. It's doing quite well in my house. I've already taken a few cuttings from it. So far, it's holding on, rooting gently.

I have a few silver pothos, including a Pothos exotica (Scindapsus pictus Exotica) and a silver Pothos (Scindapsus pictus Argyraeus), which I think are really pretty. I love pothos because, even if they're not the most remarkable plants, you can do something for them, you can watch them grow, take cuttings... You manage to take care of them. I can say to myself, "I can do it, it's holding up". It's quite gratifying.

My Stromanthe sanguinea triostar, which has more brown than pink on it? She had a heat stroke and an attack of mites while I was on vacation. I'm trying to save her. I think she can still go. I had exactly the same experience with a Maranta, which is doing better.

Alocasias! But I've got to stop with alocasias, they don't like me that much in the end. In fact, I'm losing them.

My dream would be to buy myself a Monstera variegata, it's much too pretty. In my living room, it would be a real wow!

Monstera deliciosa is one of the plants I'm most proud of.

I'm also very fond of a tiny orchid I picked up in a large furniture store. It has given me two magnificent flowering stems. And now it's producing shoots. I'm delighted. Maybe I won't kill it after all.

Pothos 'Neon (Epipremnum neon). I think I've bought it four or five times. It's my only pothos that refused to live. Yet I looked after it just like the others. But the roots never took. I tried more light, more drainage, but nothing worked. There's just one shoot left, left over from my last attempt... I watch it from a distance, hoping that this time it will take.

Worst of all, I've got one at work. It's watered once a month and it's doing extremely well.

I have almost my entire collection catalogued. I use the Monstera app mainly for watering and misting. I couldn't manage with so many plants. Now, at least, I'm sure everyone's had something to drink!

My first piece of advice would be not to start with small plants. They're much more fragile! I speak from experience.

Also, find out beforehand about the varieties and how to grow them. I've had problems with some Alocasia species that were really very exotic. They only lasted two or three days in my house. Transportation had been complicated and, when they arrived, the soil was soggy. There wasn't much I could do.

The best thing is to get to grips with simple plants, such as pothos. And then, once you've got the hang of it, you can move on to rarer, more complicated things.

If you'd like to follow the adventures of Ann-Laure and her collection, check out her Instagram account: @aporro_grantz.