{"id":6486,"date":"2025-07-15T11:20:13","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T09:20:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/airsopure.nl\/?p=6486"},"modified":"2025-07-17T09:44:45","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T07:44:45","slug":"achter-de-schermen-bestplant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/airsopure.nl\/en\/nieuws\/achter-de-schermen-bestplant\/","title":{"rendered":"Bestplant: specialist in Spathiphyllum and Air So Pure"},"content":{"rendered":"

Interview with Patrick Zuidgeest, owner of Bestplant and board member of Air So Pure<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the Westland-based family business Bestplant, the passion for plants is unmistakable. Since the founding of Air So Pure in 2007, Bestplant has been closely involved in the development and promotion of air-purifying plants, with the Spathiphyllum as its foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patrick Zuidgeest, owner of Bestplant and board member of Air So Pure, explains why he is proud of Air So Pure, how the company has made significant progress in sustainability, and which Spathiphyllum is his personal favourite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The start of a strong brand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ever since Air So Pure was founded in 2007, Bestplant<\/strong><\/a> Bestplant has been involved with the association. At the time, this was still with the help of Patrick\u2019s father, Hans Zuidgeest<\/strong><\/a>. 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Patrick\u2019s father and fellow growers helped establish Air So Pure, the goal was clear: one recognisable brand that highlights the unique qualities of the Spathiphyllum. \u201cWe already knew our plants had air-purifying properties, based on NASA research and Wolverton\u2019s book,\u201d Patrick explains. \u201cWe wanted to strengthen that story, so we partnered with Fygatoras<\/strong><\/a> , an independent research institute that still tests every plant before it becomes part of the Air So Pure assortment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Air So Pure, not only a shared identity was created, but also a platform for collaboration and joint promotion. \u201cAlone, you go faster, but together you go further. That applies to Air So Pure as well,\u201d Patrick states firmly. \u201cWe want to strongly communicate the air-purifying benefits so that consumers understand there\u2019s more to a plant than meets the eye.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Bestplant<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cAlone you go faster, but together you go further\u201d<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Why collaborate when you might be faster on your own? Patrick doesn\u2019t have to think twice. \u201cCollaborating 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\u2019t normally get to,\u201d he explains. \u201cThanks to Air So Pure, we\u2019ve 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. \u201cWe learn from each other. Sometimes you hear something from a colleague that makes you think, \u2018I\u2019m going to try that too,\u2019\u201d says Patrick. \u201cTogether, we\u2019re always asking ourselves: what can we do even better?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An active role within Air So Pure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. \u201cMy father was already on the board. When he stepped down, I took over. I think it\u2019s important to help set the course. Together we can achieve more, but everyone has to do their part.\u201d His colleague Patrick Krijgsman is also actively involved in the sales team meetings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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De ‘Air So Pure’ vrachtwagen van Bestplant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Innovation and growth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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. \u201cIn 2010, we built our new nursery on Middenweg; in 2019, the location on Casembrootlaan was added; and in 2022, we expanded that site further,\u201d Patrick explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the Middenweg location in Poeldijk, pot sizes 17 and 27 are primarily grown. \u201cPot size 27 is only shipped during specific periods: from January to April and from August to October.\u201d At the Casembrootlaan location, the focus is on pot sizes 19, 21, and 24. \u201cThis division makes our process more efficient.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to expansion, Bestplant is also continuously investing in automation. \u201cWe\u2019re automating more and more. That\u2019s good for efficiency, quality, and sustainability,\u201d says Patrick. \u201cInnovation is important. For example, we\u2019re 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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De camera met plakvallen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Sustainability as a natural part of the business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sustainability is a widely discussed topic, but for Bestplant it has been part of daily practice for years. \u201cWe\u2019ve been tracking our carbon footprint for seven years now. That was quite early on back then,\u201d says Patrick. \u201cWe\u2019ve also been using biological methods instead of chemicals for years. We want to prevent pests rather than fight them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainability is therefore truly an integral part of our business operations. \u201cWe\u2019re currently at 70% geothermal energy<\/strong><\/a>, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to these measures, Bestplant has already significantly reduced its carbon footprint. Still, they try to take even more steps wherever possible. \u201cWe closely monitor laws and regulations: what is necessary, what is mandatory, and where can we stay ahead of the curve?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bestplant\u2019s sustainable approach is, incidentally, a good fit for their product. \u201cOur Spathiphyllum easily stays beautiful for a year and purifies the air. It\u2019s truly a healthy plant,\u201d says Patrick. \u201cAnd because we use organic solutions, we don\u2019t need any chemical products.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Alle ontwikkelingen van Bestplant in de spotlight<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Opportunities and challenges<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patrick remains optimistic about the future. \u201cWe\u2019re ready and raring to go for the future. We\u2019re quick to adapt to new regulations,\u201d says Patrick. At the same time, he sees challenges ahead. \u201cThe world is changing at breakneck speed, but we must stay positive. As the Dutch horticultural sector, we\u2019re truly leading the way: we have the lowest production costs, the lowest fossil fuel consumption, and the best technologies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Specialist in large Spathiphyllum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bestplant specializes in large-sized Spathiphyllum. \u201cWe actually just kind of fell into it,\u201d Patrick explains. \u201cWe started with pot size 17, then moved on to 19, and after acquiring a nursery that specialized in large sizes, we continued with that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following plants<\/strong><\/a> from Bestplant are part of the Air So Pure collection and are making their way across Europe:<\/p>\n\n\n\n