Last August 23, Rotterdam’s iconic Koopgoot shopping street turned greener than ever. Under the motto “Stop talking, start planting”, the bustling pedestrian zone was transformed for one day into a blooming city garden filled with Kalanchoës. Shoppers suddenly found themselves in the middle of a cheerful oasis, where plants and urban energy came together.
Kalanchoë Promotion in Rotterdam - Green as an Invitation
Visitors didn’t just enjoy the colorful pop-up garden; they also got to take home a lasting memory. Around 2,000 Kalanchoë Garden plants were handed out, spreading green and color across the city.
The idea behind the event was simple: to show how easy it can be to contribute to a greener living environment. In a city as urbanized as Rotterdam, plants really make a difference—bringing color, joy, and a touch of nature back into the streets.
The main eye-catcher was a large plant wall carrying a message that is a freestyle use of typical Rotterdam slang, "Niet lullen, maar planten," which would translate best as “Stop talking, start planting.” Visitors posed for photos here and received an instant Polaroid to take home. Each plant was handed out in a pink tote bag from promotion collective Kalanchoë.nl and the Koopgoot, complete with care tips. By the afternoon, the bags were seen all over Rotterdam—a fun, visible symbol of the city turning a little greener.
Growers Sharing Green Tips
The Kalanchoës were supplied by three growers, SlijkermanKalanchoë, GP Powerplants, and Pligt Professionals. Plant experts from these growers were on hand during the event to talk with visitors. They explained more about the plants’ background and shared useful care tips.
Sander van Genderen of GP Powerplants explained:
“We want to show that greenery is within everyone’s reach. The Kalanchoë Garden is a strong plant that blooms for a long time, needs little care, and fits perfectly into daily life in Rotterdam. It was great to see so many people take one home with excitement.”
The Strength of the Kalanchoë Garden
Compact, colorful, and long-lasting—the Kalanchoë Garden can bloom for up to 100 days. Suitable for both indoors and outdoors, it requires very little maintenance, making it ideal for anyone who enjoys greenery but doesn’t necessarily have a green thumb. Thanks to its sturdy flowers and glossy leaves, the plant keeps looking fresh, even on balconies and terraces.
Green Energy in the Koopgoot
Sonja de Wild, marketing manager of the Koopgoot, looked back with satisfaction:
“It was fantastic to hear the positive reactions from visitors. The combination of shopping, experiencing, and greening fits perfectly with what we want to achieve with the Koopgoot. With all those colorful plants now finding their way to homes, balconies, and gardens across Rotterdam, we’ve left behind a wonderful green trail together.”
Watch the short aftermovie here: Kalanchoë Garden in the Koopgoot:
All images and video courtesy of kalanchoe.nl.
