Wong (left) and Chong are the founders of Plant People Playground a space in Sungai Buloh dedicated to experimenting with plants and conducting workshops. — Photos: AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
“I AM not so plant blind anymore,” says garden enthusiast Peter Chong. “Previously, if you asked me what a philedendron was, I wouldn’t have had a clue. But these days, I could be walking on a city street on in a forest, and I would probably be able to spot one of these beautiful plants and identify them correctly! It’s become so much fun for me!”
Chong, and his friend Lone Wong, are small business owners who call themselves “That Plant Doctor”, plant specialists who love to help all “plant parents” grow in their green thumb journey.
Both avid enthusiasts of rare and beautiful flora, Chong and Wong have not just built a successful small business centred around their love for platyceriums, monsteras, philodendrons and begonias, they are also building a community, creating connections, opening doors to new international friendships and inspiring sustainable living.
Before diving into the world of plants, Chong, now 40, dabbled in everything from banking to coffee supply and real estate, while 34-year-old Wong, an advertising and graphic design major, ditched his “super boring” graphic design job after just three months to join the family business.
Both were industrious young men searching for their perfect gig, and it looks like they’ve finally found it in their leafy passion.
Chong and Wong have not just built a successful small business centred around their love for plants.
Chong and Wong’s journey together began as a simple hobby nurtured in their gardens and shared over countless cups of coffee. Their fascination with the diverse world of plants gradually grew into something more significant.Chong recalls being fascinated with Wong’s beautiful home garden at the time, almost half a decade ago. He says: “I liked plants but didn’t know how to get into gardening. After seeing Lone’s garden, I couldn't stop thinking about having one of my own.”
Living in a condo with limited space, Chong faced challenges in sourcing plants and gardening supplies. “I had to travel far to get what I needed, and it was time-consuming and labour-intensive to bring everything up to my condo,” he explains.These challenges sparked an idea. Seeing a gap in the market, the duo decided to create a business that provided everything a gardener needs in one place.
Sustainability also became the heart of the duo’s business. They started using lightweight, eco-friendly substrates like pumice and perlite, making it easier for urban gardeners to manage their plants. “We also don’t use chemicals in our products. They are safe for the ecosystem, children and pets,” says Wong.Their commitment to sustainable practices is not only good for the environment but also aligns with their goal of promoting a deeper connection with nature.
The duo use lightweight, eco-friendly substrates like pumice and perlite, making it easier for urban gardeners to manage their plants.
Plant people playground
Chong and Wong’s different living situations – Chong in a condo and Wong in a landed property – gave them diverse perspectives on plant care and decoration. However, apart from the plant essentials (pots, media, volcanic stones, etc), the duo realised that another important ingredient was very much in short supply – support.
They started meeting other plant sellers, learning more about the plants, and exchanging ideas. Their efforts quickly paid off, and they found themselves with a burgeoning collection of plants and a growing community of fellow enthusiasts.
“That’s how we came up with the idea to start Plant People Playground, an area at our office space in Sungai Buloh dedicated to experimenting with plants and conducting workshops and community gatherings, too," Wong explains.
“We have so many different types of plants – staghorn ferns, anthuriums and a collection of paludariums – here. It has created such a vibrant ambience and has the power to make one feels good,” adds Chong.
The duo also have another brand, called Kawan Rusa, specialising in platyceriums or staghorn ferns. It started around the same time as the Covid-19 pandemic, when they had free time and people from around the globe were rekindling their love affair with plants – mainly aroid plants (common houseplants like aglaonemas, monsteras, philodendrons, pothos and zanzibar gem) – and sharing their stories on social media.
“We noticed a booming interest in platyceriums, especially in Taiwan and Japan,” says Wong. “Which prompted us to experiment with these plants, to explore their unique qualities and how they could be incorporated into home decor, even in small spaces since they could be mounted on the wall. This was during the MCO and we had a lot of free time to play around with ideas.”
Curating Platycerium at the Lai Lai Art Gallery merges gardening and art. — Lai Lai Art Gallery
Blurring the lines
Last month, Kawan Rusa took its mission a step further by hosting an art-plant exhibition titled Curating Platycerium at the Lai Lai Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur. It blurred the lines between gardening and art, showcasing the beauty of platyceriums in an artistic setting.“We wanted to show that gardening is not just a hobby but a form of artistic expression,” says Wong. “This is the second time we have organised an event like this with gallery owner Alice Chang. Having events such as these helps us expand our base.”
The exhibition featured a stunning array of these unique ferns, each displayed as a living work of art. Visitors were treated to a visual feast, with plants arranged in creative and unexpected ways, highlighting their sculptural and symmetrical qualities.The event was a testament to Chong and Wong’s belief that gardening can be an immersive and aesthetically enriching experience.
Building a community
What sets Kawan Rusa apart is its founders commitment to fostering a community of plant lovers. They regularly organise events and workshops, creating spaces for enthusiasts to come together, learn, and share their experiences. “We have events once every two or three months,” Lone explains.“These events are not just about profit; they are about engaging the community and giving something back.”
Kawan Rusa’s events have become a hub for plant enthusiasts to exchange plants, seek advice, and share their gardening experiences. “We invite growers and experts to our events, creating a platform for knowledge exchange,” says Peter. These initiatives have been instrumental in building a supportive community.
Some of the plants at Plant People Playground.
People have begun exchanging plants, sharing ideas, voicing out their problems and finding solutions together. It also invites experts such as Taiwan-trained plant pathologist Chong Yee Hang (aka dr.cockroach) to give advice.
Wong says: “Regular gardeners don’t have access to such people so these sessions can be very helpful. We try and organise events that cater to people from various backgrounds. Sometimes we invite growers who are getting popular on Instagram to join us and share their experiences. People really enjoy these sharing sessions, and they come from all over the country.”
Another interesting result is international friendships. “I have a Taiwanese friend, Ang, whom I got to know five years ago on Instagram. Both of us share a love for plants, especially alocasias. Over the years we have shared experiences and exchanged a lot of information. He has come to Malaysia, seeking rare species of plants. We have gone sightseeing together to forests and caves and I had a wonderful time playing tour guide and showing him our beautiful flora and fauna.”
Wong says gardening is a way to connect with nature and find joy in the little surprises that a garden brings.
Chong and Wong’s journey shows the power of passion and community. Their business continues to grow, driven by their love for plants and their dedication to bringing people together.They plan to host more events like Curating Platycerium, further exploring the intersection of art and gardening, and continuing to inspire others with their vision.
For aspiring growers, their advice is simple: “Start small, learn as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to experiment.”Wong concludes: “Gardening is a journey of nurturing – not just the plants but also your inner self. It’s a way to connect with nature and find joy in the little surprises that a garden brings.”
For more information, check out @thatplantdoctor and @kawanrusa.
