Eastbourne Woman Accidentally Waters Plastic Plant Every Day For Three Years

By Jeanette Deckchair, Community & Lifestyle Correspondent

EASTBOURNE, 27 AUGUST — An Eastbourne woman has discovered the houseplant she has carefully watered every morning for the past three years is made entirely from plastic.

Linda Mercer, 61, purchased the plant because she wanted "something easy to look after" and has since provided it with water, plant food and occasional words of encouragement.

"I always thought it was incredibly healthy," Linda admitted. "Not one brown leaf."

Her daughter had apparently known since 2024 but assumed everybody else did too.

Suspicion Finally Raised

Linda became suspicious after returning from a two-week holiday to discover the plant looking exactly as it had before she left.

"I thought it was remarkably resilient."

She then noticed a small label underneath reading ARTIFICIAL DECORATIVE PLANT.

Linda initially believed this might simply be the variety.

Three Years Of Care

Records suggest the plant has consumed approximately 200 litres of water, none of which it required.

Linda has also rotated it towards the sunlight every week and moved it away from cold windows during winter.

"Once I thought it looked a bit droopy," she said.

"It hadn't moved."

Family Remains Supportive

Her family have promised not to mention the incident again.

This promise lasted approximately eleven minutes.

Linda has now purchased a genuine houseplant to restore her confidence.

She forgot to water it.

It died on Thursday.