Bestplant: specialist in Spathiphyllum and Air So Pure

The start of a strong brand

Ever since Air So Pure was founded in 2007, Bestplant Bestplant has been involved with the association. At the time, this was still with the help of Patrick’s father, Hans Zuidgeest. Eventually, Hans passed the baton to Patrick, who runs the company together with his business partner Laurens van Dijk and has been actively involved with the brand and the association ever since.

When Patrick’s father and fellow growers helped establish Air So Pure, the goal was clear: one recognisable brand that highlights the unique qualities of the Spathiphyllum. “We already knew our plants had air-purifying properties, based on NASA research and Wolverton’s book,” Patrick explains. “We wanted to strengthen that story, so we partnered with Fygatoras , an independent research institute that still tests every plant before it becomes part of the Air So Pure assortment.”

With Air So Pure, not only a shared identity was created, but also a platform for collaboration and joint promotion. “Alone, you go faster, but together you go further. That applies to Air So Pure as well,” Patrick states firmly. “We want to strongly communicate the air-purifying benefits so that consumers understand there’s more to a plant than meets the eye.”

“Alone you go faster, but together you go further”

Why collaborate when you might be faster on your own? Patrick doesn’t have to think twice. “Collaborating means you have a bigger promotional budget, can launch joint campaigns, exhibit together at trade shows, offer mixed plant displays, and reach places you wouldn’t normally get to,” he explains. “Thanks to Air So Pure, we’ve reached customers and retail chains that might never have come knocking on our door otherwise. There are plenty of customers who specifically ask for Air So Pure plants.”

But membership in Air So Pure offers more than just visibility and promotion. It provides a valuable network where experiences and knowledge are shared on topics such as carbon footprinting, peat-free cultivation, certifications, cost savings, and biological pest control. “We learn from each other. Sometimes you hear something from a colleague that makes you think, ‘I’m going to try that too,’” says Patrick. “Together, we’re always asking ourselves: what can we do even better?”

An active role within Air So Pure

Bestplant is a proud and active member of Air So Pure. Patrick has been a board member for years and is involved in the promotional committee. “My father was already on the board. When he stepped down, I took over. I think it’s important to help set the course. Together we can achieve more, but everyone has to do their part.” His colleague Patrick Krijgsman is also actively involved in the sales team meetings.

Innovation and growth

In recent years, Bestplant has invested heavily in growth and innovation. The plants are grown at two main locations in the Westland region, which together cover 9.5 hectares. “In 2010, we built our new nursery on Middenweg; in 2019, the location on Casembrootlaan was added; and in 2022, we expanded that site further,” Patrick explains.

At the Middenweg location in Poeldijk, pot sizes 17 and 27 are primarily grown. “Pot size 27 is only shipped during specific periods: from January to April and from August to October.” At the Casembrootlaan location, the focus is on pot sizes 19, 21, and 24. “This division makes our process more efficient.”

In addition to expansion, Bestplant is also continuously investing in automation. “We’re automating more and more. That’s good for efficiency, quality, and sustainability,” says Patrick. “Innovation is important. For example, we’re currently testing cameras in the greenhouse that count insects using sticky traps. The camera scans and counts the number of insects, allowing us to take quick and targeted action.”

Sustainability as a natural part of the business

Sustainability is a widely discussed topic, but for Bestplant it has been part of daily practice for years. “We’ve been tracking our carbon footprint for seven years now. That was quite early on back then,” says Patrick. “We’ve also been using biological methods instead of chemicals for years. We want to prevent pests rather than fight them.”

Sustainability is therefore truly an integral part of our business operations. “We’re currently at 70% geothermal energy, with a goal of 95%. Additionally, last year we replaced all our shade cloths, installed LED lighting, optimized the water circulation system, and installed solar panels.”

Thanks to these measures, Bestplant has already significantly reduced its carbon footprint. Still, they try to take even more steps wherever possible. “We closely monitor laws and regulations: what is necessary, what is mandatory, and where can we stay ahead of the curve?”

Bestplant’s sustainable approach is, incidentally, a good fit for their product. “Our Spathiphyllum easily stays beautiful for a year and purifies the air. It’s truly a healthy plant,” says Patrick. “And because we use organic solutions, we don’t need any chemical products.”

Specialist in large Spathiphyllum

Bestplant specializes in large-sized Spathiphyllum. “We actually just kind of fell into it,” Patrick explains. “We started with pot size 17, then moved on to 19, and after acquiring a nursery that specialized in large sizes, we continued with that.”

The following plants from Bestplant are part of the Air So Pure collection and are making their way across Europe:

• Spathiphyllum Bingo Cupido p19
• Spathiphyllum Sensation p24
• Spathiphyllum Silvana p24
• Spathiphyllum Sweet Isabella p19
• Spathiphyllum Sweet Lauretta p19, p21 and p24
• Spathiphyllum Sweet Sebastiano p24 and p27
• Spathiphyllum Vivaldi p17

Patrick has a clear favourite: “The Spathiphyllum Sebastiano in pot sizes 24 and 27. It’s a large, elegant plant with many flowers. Really beautiful.”

Hydrangeas and Chlorophytum as additions

In spring, Bestplant also grows Hydrangeas to balance production during the summer period. Additionally, from week 1 to week 20, they produce Chlorophytum Green Orange. “It’s a houseplant, but really a spring product,” Patrick explains. This variation allows Bestplant to offer a broader and more balanced assortment.

Quality as a standard

At Bestplant, quality isn’t a bonus—it’s a given. “Quality simply has to be good all the time; that’s our standard,” Patrick says resolutely. “So we don’t see it as a goal or a measure, but as a given.” To ensure this, two growers walk through the greenhouses every day to check that the plants are growing well. In addition, there is an employee specializing in biology who is constantly on the lookout for diseases and pests.

Space for growth is also important. “The plants are initially placed close together and are then automatically spaced apart to allow for optimal development.” Thanks to this approach, the plants have plenty of room to grow. On average, the Spathiphyllum spends a year in Bestplant’s greenhouse before being shipped to customers and consumers in top condition.

Flexible and Air So Pure-minded

What is Patrick most proud of? “That we’re part of Air So Pure, the leading consumer brand in air-purifying plants. We’ve already achieved so much and have really made a name for ourselves,” he says. He’s also proud of his own company: “We’re fully prepared for the future: geothermal energy, biology, solar panels, certifications, carbon footprinting. We’re in a really good position.”

According to Patrick, Bestplant stands out because of its flexibility and commitment to Air So Pure. “We’re very flexible and solution-oriented. With us, things can be arranged quickly; we don’t make a fuss about it.”

At Bestplant, it’s not just about plants, but also about people. “We’re truly a people-oriented company; as an employee, you’re not just a number here. We help each other, and everyone is equal: from the packers to the office staff and the business owners themselves. We strengthen each other,” says Patrick.

Bestplant in numbers

• Founded in 1994
• Member of Air So Pure since 2007
• 2 locations
• 9.5 hectares
• 35 employees
• 7 Spathiphyllum varieties