When the Plants and Flowers die: It pays to write to Lidl

This story / page is available in: German

Some people today are of the opinion that only we humans are sentient beings – at most they concede something like sensations and feelings to their own dog and beloved cat. The truth is: trees and plants are also beings that see, feel, hear and communicate (if you don’t believe it, please read the linked article at the end). It therefore pains me when I shop at Lidl (or SuperValu) and have to see how plants are treated there. I wrote these lines last week after the brief return of summer:

“”Whenever Ireland enjoys a few warm and dry days, the big ornamental plant die-off begins in front of the markets of German discounter Lidl. Lidl sells almost everything, including plants – but has no idea what plants need to live and survive: Water. The main thing is to make money. In the Lidl stores in our area in the southwest of the island, there are compassionate employees who would gladly take care of the struggling cyclamen, geraniums, purplebells and autumn asters. However, they are forbidden by higher authorities to water the plants. Obviously there is neither time nor money available for that.””

Neglecting, not caring for, not watering and letting these living commodities die is not an exceptional occurrence, but a systemic failure that is deliberately bought into. It is not meant to be. You can see it in many markets and all too often. Of course, I have also asked Lidl for a statement. The request to the head office in Neckarsulm was forwarded to Lidl Ireland and was indeed answered. The first answers – an unpleasant mixture of general marketing blah-blah and self-praise – I would like to withhold from you. However, after repeated follow-up, Alison Nash from Lidl Ireland’s customer service answered me:

“Thanks again for the email. My apologies for any upset caused. We appreciate the feedback in relation to the plants being sold in our stores. I will ask management to review the care of the plants being sold in our stores.”

We are curious and will stay on the ball. After all, Lidl Ireland prides itself on being an ecologically committed and climate-conscious company. Lidl celebrates itself for its solar roofs, lets a meadow grow here and there for insects or puts up a bee hotel – not without patting itself on the back for it. Lidl has even planted a “small woodland” together with its competitor SuperValu on the edge of the completely treeless car park of the Kenmare branch. The waistcoat pocket plantation (photo below) looks like cheap greenwashing in view of the plant graves in front of Lidl stores. However, it is never too late to get honest and improve.

Anyone who has also seen plant graves in front of Lidl stores and possibly suffered with them can tell Lidl about it online here. Maybe it will help, according to the motto “More for You! It pays to write to Lidl! Thank you very much.

Write to Lidl Ireland: Klick

Write to Lidl Germany: Klick

“Straw-stupid green stuff my ass – plants perform amazing sensory functions. It is true that trees and plants do not have nerve cells. But they produce hormones with which they transmit sensory stimuli through a fine network of veins to their own organs – in this way they feel, see, hear and communicate.” (National Geographic)