Drama in Houseplant Hobby Group Inspires Wave of Plant Nude Trolling

September 12, 2018 1:07 PM

Over the weekend, a Facebook group dedicated to one of the most innocuous hobbies possible—houseplants—briefly turned contentious after a user posted a photo of himself holding an orchid while shirtless. But just as quickly, the drama became an “I am Spartacus” moment for trou-dropping plant owners, with other group members posting plant pics in a state of undress in solidarity against body-shaming.

From r/HobbyDrama: Well, that controversy sparked a revolution, because I have never had so many pictures of people posing naked with plants covering them up in my life. Men had ferns covering their parts, women posed themselves hiding behind bushy trees or spider plants, everyone was posing naked with a plant of some sort. There was even an initiative to change the group name to “HousePlant Nudists” or something of the sort.

posted by roger ackroyd (21 comments total)

I had friends who produced an entire calendar filled with carefully-posed shots with gourds and related produce.
posted by BungaDunga at 1:13 PM on September 12, 2018 [1 favorite]

So, the above links are NSFW then?
posted by FJT at 1:26 PM on September 12, 2018 [1 favorite]

The first link has two photos of shirtless guys. Second link is a reddit thread, all text.
posted by quaking fajita at 1:30 PM on September 12, 2018 [3 favorites]

People are strange.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 1:54 PM on September 12, 2018 [5 favorites]

Metafilter of the Year: People are strange.
posted by infini at 2:00 PM on September 12, 2018 [7 favorites]

I, for one, welcome our new Nudist Houseplant Overlords.
Just keep yer succulents to yourself, Mister!

But yeah, #peopleareweird
posted by Major Matt Mason Dixon at 2:05 PM on September 12, 2018 [1 favorite]

For those who are left thirsty for more shirtless dude plant pics, here is a youtube video...
posted by xarnop at 2:14 PM on September 12, 2018

Just image a swarthy Neanderthal, posing behind various succulents. Echeveria rosettes, aeonium tall as a hedge, a nice ground cover of sedums in bloom. Those weird paddle plants. Oh wait there’s more, cactus everywhere! It occurs to you that you cannot see the Neanderthal, it is a hominid of the mind, blocked behind a wall of desert plants.
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 2:23 PM on September 12, 2018 [5 favorites]

For people who are interested in much more of this type of thing, please see Boys With Plants.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 2:53 PM on September 12, 2018 [7 favorites]

What kind of shrinking violet would you have to be to be so shocked by the side of a man's bare shoulders? In this day and age? Further, it seems a bit lily livered to start up a kerfuffle and then leave the group! Never a rose without the prick, I suppose.
posted by amanda at 3:25 PM on September 12, 2018 [11 favorites]

Obligatory gif comment.
posted by PandaMomentum at 4:01 PM on September 12, 2018 [2 favorites]

[J]ust as quickly, the drama became an “I am Spartacus” moment for trou-dropping plant owners ...

In this case, more like “I am Sparta-cactus”.
posted by New Frontier at 4:33 PM on September 12, 2018 [18 favorites]

What kind of shrinking violet would you have to be to be so shocked by the side of a man's bare shoulders? In this day and age? Further, it seems a bit lily livered to start up a kerfuffle and then leave the group! Never a rose without the prick, I suppose.

"Was it something I said or something I did
Did my words not come out right
Though I tried not to hurt you
Though I tried
But I guess that's why they say..."

*flicks upraised lighter*
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:43 PM on September 12, 2018 [1 favorite]

My wife, no slouch at growing orchids herself, has just informed me that the word "orchid" is Latin for testicle-like.

So, yeah, the first guy had balls I guess.
posted by nubs at 5:19 PM on September 12, 2018 [6 favorites]

Humans are fascinating creatures, and poking around r/HobbyDrama lead me to this The Good Place-related chowder drama. Tonight is a good night.
posted by rewil at 7:48 PM on September 12, 2018 [1 favorite]

DO NOT DO THIS WITH OPUNTIA.
posted by srboisvert at 8:36 PM on September 12, 2018 [3 favorites]

Came for the puns about succulents - was not disappointed.
posted by Fuchsoid at 9:24 PM on September 12, 2018

The neanderthal of the mind adds opuntia to their foliage decolletage. They don't care, they're covered in hair.
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 10:33 PM on September 12, 2018 [1 favorite]

I came here hoping to find out what finally allowed the scales to fall from their eyes and recognize that the plants had been naked all along and maybe see what they were going to dress them in.
posted by Cris E at 8:40 AM on September 13, 2018

Boys / who like plants / who like boys / who like plants / who like boys, etc.
posted by ColdOfTheIsleOfMan at 8:45 AM on September 13, 2018 [1 favorite]

You said succulents. hee hee hee.
posted by BlueHorse at 11:32 AM on September 13, 2018