It is always a pleasure to visit dedicated growers and their nursery. This month, we visited Ubink, one of the largest and most appreciated growers of cacti and succulents in the Netherlands. Ubink is a true family business, for over 90 years. Established in the picturesque village of Kudelstaart, in the province of North-Holland. Their expansive nursery spans a whopping 6 hectares and is not only impressive in size but certainly also in terms of the variety of plants they cultivate. Additionally, Ubink has been active on sunny Tenerife for 40 years, where they own Succulent Valley, a production location of 12 hectares.

Cacti and succulents specialists

At Ubink, the focus is on succulents, also known as succulent plants. These plants, known for their ability to store water in their fleshy leaves, stems, or roots, have become popular because of their low-maintenance nature and unique aesthetics. Ubink specializes in growing a wide range of these plants, with species like Aloe, Agave, Crassula, Echeveria, Haworthia and Sedum. The Echeverias in small pot sizes are cultivated from a leaf cutting in the nursery in the Netherlands. The other plants start their growth in Tenerife and are then brought to the Netherlands to harden off. In addition to their standard range, Ubink also has a selection of rare and unique succulents and cacti for the real plant connoisseur. These special plants are a fantastic addition for anyone looking for something special for their collection. An example of this is the Echinocactus brevispina, which Ubink cultivates from a seed to a plant in a 50 cm pot size. This process takes about 15 to 20 years.

Sustainability and quality

At Ubink, sustainability and quality are key. They have modern greenhouses where production is as energy-efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. Their efforts in this area have earned them various environmental certificates, such as the MPS-A and MPS-GAP. Ubink is a highly appreciated nursery that offers a wide range of cacti and succulents. Whether you buy a plant occasionally or are an avid collector, at Ubink you will always find a plant that suits you. Choosing Ubink means choosing sustainability and quality.