Plantfever: The World at the Windowsill

The book explores how plants, once seen as exotic and foreign in the 19th century, found their way into Danish homes. A true plant fever spread, and in a short time, plants became an integral part of everyday life. Houseplants feature prominently in 19th-century paintings, yet the hidden stories of their global origins remain a blind spot in Danish art history._x000D_ _x000D_ Many of these plants travelled vast distances as part of the large-scale plant transfers that gained momentum in the 17th century, transforming the flora and fauna of several continents. While many of these plants are now threatened in their native habitats, they thrive in European living rooms—perhaps nowhere more so than in Denmark, which boasts the highest number of houseplants per capita. These plants bring Europe’s colonial history into the home, while also fostering a connection between us as their caretakers. This connection opens pathways to a more caring, diverse, and historically conscious relationship with nature.