Jungle Leaves are three biologists: Alexander Ruppert, Patrick Schlütting and Nils-Bendix Schmitz.
As nature enthusiasts and, of course, also as botanists (Patrick and Nils) and zoologists (Alexander) in our studies, we have all been involved for more than 10 years with the care, propagation, biology and ecology of tropical plants for terrariums and the windowsill.
Jungle Leaves was founded by three biologists: Alexander Ruppert, Patrick Schlütting, and Nils-Bendix Schmitz.
As nature enthusiasts, and naturally during our studies as botanists (Patrick and Nils) or zoologists (Alexander), we have all been involved for over 15 years with the care, propagation, biology, and ecology of tropical plants for terrariums and windowsills.
After successfully completing our studies (M.Sc. Biology) at the Ruhr University Bochum, we decided to turn our passion for terrariums and tropical plants into a profession. We found the perfect location for this in Herten: a vacant but very well-maintained cemetery nursery with a large, well-preserved greenhouse, an attached retail space, and a very beautiful garden. All in a prime location.
After about a year of strenuous renovation work, the greenhouse was finally ready for tropical plants and the retail space was prepared to welcome customers. In early 2021, we officially opened Jungle Leaves.
Meanwhile, we are also supported by a team of great employees who actively assist us with customer advice, project implementation, plant care and propagation, shipping, and all other tasks.
About the Founders
ABOUT ALEX
Alex is our expert for unusual plants for the rainforest terrarium . He takes care of our collection of rare begonias , gesnerias, iridescent plants , and all sorts of other small plants, most of which we've never even heard of. Somehow, he seems to want to compensate for all these miniature plants, because he also tends to our enormous arum lilies like Leucocasia , Philodendron , and Anthurium.
ABOUT PATRICK
Patrick could probably draw the entire family tree of spore-bearing plants, including the characteristics of each clade, from memory after being woken up at 3 a.m. He's our expert on ferns and mosses , Selaginella , and carrion flowers. Wait, carrion flowers? Yes, he's also quite fond of them. Amorphophallus , Sauromatum , Typhonium , and other Araceae, whose impressive blooms often fill our greenhouse with indescribable aromas. Delicious.
ABOUT NILS
Nils is particularly fascinated by so-called ant plants : Hydnophytum , Lecanopteris , Dischidia , and Myrmecodia. These bizarre beauties, inhabited by ants in nature, are truly extraordinary terrarium plants with their unusual shapes, yet they remain relatively unknown. But don't worry, we'll send you the ones without the ants. He also tends our collection of tropical useful plants and mangroves . He constantly surprises us with exotic fruits we've never even heard of, let alone tasted.
Jungle Leaves delights customers with a unique selection of tropical rarities, cultivated with passion by true plant experts. Personalized advice, either on-site or via email, impresses even seasoned collectors, while every shipment boasts careful and sustainable packaging.
Always up to date
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter (scroll all the way down to sign up!) to be informed about new products, discounts, and other news.
Additionally, the newsletter also features articles about special plants, ongoing projects, and updates!
On Instagram, we regularly post updates on new products in our shop and showcase plants that are particularly beautiful at the moment. Sometimes we also offer a look behind the scenes or host giveaways where you have the chance to win great prizes.
You can meet us at our shop in Herten, right in the heart of the Ruhr area, or at the Jungle Leaves booth at a trade fair. Our current opening hours, directions, and contact information can be found here . An overview of the trade fairs where we will be exhibiting this year can be found here . See you there!
In the gallery, you'll find some impressions from our shop.
