Proplifting

Etymology and Origin:
– Portmanteau of propagate and shoplifting
– Ethical proplifters advised to seek permission
– Material technically property of store or business
– Coined by Sarina Daniels in 2017
– Accused of being common thieves by some

Practice:
– Gather fallen leaves of succulents from big-box stores
– Rescues material from going to waste
– Gives plants new chance at life
– More economical than purchasing full-grown plants
– Proplifting from smaller stores discouraged

Cutting from Live Plants:
– Discouraged practice even among proponents
– Becoming more common, even at smaller stores
– San Diego Botanic Garden targeted by plant thieves
– Encouraged not to clip live plants
– Seen as slippery slope by some

Legality:
– Some plants cannot be propagated legally
– Actions may violate Plant Patent Act or Plant Variety Protection Act
– No common law expectation of privacy for discarded materials
– Collection of plant material from garbage legal in the US

See Also:
– Seed bombing
– Plant poaching
– The Orchid Thief
– Guerrilla gardening
– Dumpster diving