Man’s shock at $650 Bunnings plant price tag

The price tag of one item spotted in a popular DIY chain has raised eyebrows — but some have argued it was fair.

The price of a popular Bunnings item is raising eyebrows — but some argued it is a fair price.

A TikTok creator whose content focuses on plants spotted an espalier camellia at Bunnings Warehouse. The retail price on the plant was $649.

“I was going to get this for my bloody space but then I saw the freaking price bros — $650,” the man behind the account said.

He asked if anyone could explain the reason behind the price tag.

Some social media users did provide an answer — which is the time and effort it takes to grow the plants to the height it was and the method used to do so — while others baulked at the price.

The price tag of one item spotted in a popular DIY chain has raised eyebrows — but some argued it was a fair price. Picture: @rootsnleaves.official/TikTok

“It takes years and labour to train them to grow like this,” one person said.

Another added: “But they do have a one-year warranty.”

“Nope, too expensive,” another added.

However, it’s not unusual for these items to have a high price. One 40 centimetre version has a price tag of $395, while one that was 10cm bigger jumped to $695.

Bunnings confirmed to news.com.au that espalier camellias of such a size take a significant amount of time and care, and that growers deserved to be compensated for this work.

Over the course of six to eight years, the plants need to be trained to grow up the trellis using hundreds of small clips.

It’s also pruned up to four times a year, re-potted a minimum of three times and fertilised regularly.

Bunnings Smithfield is working to manage a vermin infestation that's linked to an employee contracting a potentially deadly bacteria infection. Picture: Peter Carruthers

For context, the “espalier” part of the name refers to the practice of training plants to run up a wall or trellis by pruning and tying branches.

It was popularised in France for pear and apple trees, and is a delicate and time consuming act.

For these particular plants, it requires a lot of handling and equipment and that the flora is a considerable weight and size, according to Bunnings.

There are also smaller options, such as the 70 millimetre Assorted Camellia, which retails for $4.93, 200mm Japanese Camellias, which cost $31.98, and 250mm Camellia Avalanche for $66.98.

This allows plant fans to secure the item on a budget, and put in their own labour of love into seeing the plant flourish.

Originally published as Man’s shock at $650 Bunnings plant price tag