World Horti Centre harnesses the power of plants by planting an ‘indoor forest’  

Six green professionals, a representative cross section of horticulture, joined forces in planting World Horti Centre’s indoor forest on 4 December 2024. The Power of Plants indoor garden is the knowledge & innovation centre’s seventh themed area.

World Horti Centre’s new indoor garden reflects how plants can be a powerful tool to purify air and water, produce renewable biomass energy, foster social cohesion, increase biodiversity, reduce stress and assist in healing.

The newly planted indoor forest also highlight how tech ranging from data-driven engineering, automation, smart fertilisation and lighting can help grow plants in a healthy and sustainable way.

More than  30 attendees witnessed how Jort Schalke from lighting company RED Horticulture, Roos Buijsrogge from biocontrol supplier Koppert, Juan Migliora from Van Iperen International, Kristina Arutyunyan from Skytree, Kim Helderman from Letsgrow.com and Victor Vijfvinkel from Hoogendoorn Growth Management added the final touches to lush green indoor oasis.

What is Power of Plants?

“When horticulture is promoted, the focus is often on glass and steel; entrepreneurs and suppliers proudly showcase the (mechanical) technologies they have developed or offer. This approach is understandable when the emphasis is on mass production (as many kilos per square meter as possible), but it no longer aligns with today’s vision,” says Jim Koop, creative manager at World Horti Center.

Power of Plants focuses on the plant, with technology as a tool to ensure the healthiest possible product.

Inspiring Presentations

Following initial remarks by Puck van Holsteijn, CEO of World Horti Center, other speakers too highlighted the power of plants.

Lecturer Roel van Heijningen and student Larissa from MBO Westland discussed the use of data and technology in plant cultivation.

Ermi van Oers from Nova Innova gave an inspiring presentation on energy generated by plants. This energy is released through a process in the soil, captured by a biological battery, and can power special lights. The ‘Park of Tomorrow’ project in Rotterdam uses this technology, making it the first park in the world to be illuminated by energy generated by plants.