The Unlikely Horticulturist: Eric Wareheim’s Surreal Greenhouse

Eric Wareheim’s latest passion project is not a surprise to those familiar with his absurdist comedy sensibilities, but its scope and beauty are breathtaking nonetheless. As a comedian, writer, director, and producer, he has traded in his signature irreverence for an emporium of strange and wonderful flora at Serpentine, his appointment-only plant art atelier in East L.A.

Wareheim’s fascination with the unusual and rare is not new; it’s simply evolved from a focus on absurd humor to an all-consuming passion for cultivating life. His botanical wonderland is home to “true weirdos” – plants that defy conventions through their coiled trunks, torqued branches, or odd leaf forms. These specimens are not just aesthetically striking; they’re also the result of deliberate manipulation and constraint, often imposed by Wareheim himself.

Wareheim’s approach to comedy and horticulture shares a common thread: both involve finding and presenting the unusual, often at the expense of conventional expectations. His friend Matt Dines, a film producer and plant collector, notes that Wareheim’s latest pursuit is an extension of his creative drive. “He’s finding and presenting these white whales that are so specific and strange they just take your breath away,” Dines says.

Wareheim’s passion for plants has its roots in childhood, where he developed an autodidactic spirit and a drive to explore new pursuits. His forays into various creative endeavors – from candy to baseball cards to music, and eventually wine and cooking – are united by this core trait. He’s a people pleaser who also craves pleasure.

Wareheim’s plant collection is both therapeutic and exhilarating. The parallels between his plant art and comedy work extend beyond aesthetics: both involve finding the uncanny in the mundane and subverting expectations to create something new and unexpected. His plants are like characters from a Tim and Eric sketch – misshapen, quirky, and yet strangely endearing.

Wareheim’s influence on contemporary comedy is well-documented, but his impact on our collective relationship with nature may be more profound. As we navigate an increasingly urbanized world where verdant spaces are dwindling, his plant art atelier stands as a testament to the power of creative imagination in redefining what we consider “natural.” It challenges us to reconsider our relationship with the environment and seek out beauty in unexpected places.

The reception of Wareheim’s plant fixation has been overwhelmingly positive. Friends like Bob Odenkirk praise his ability to convey poetic expression and awe through plants, while his creative partner Tim Heidecker notes that Wareheim’s fascination with rare flora is an extension of his pursuit of wonder – a sentiment echoed by film producer Matt Dines.

Wareheim’s passion project serves as a reminder that creativity knows no bounds, nor does its inspiration. As we admire the strange and wonderful plants at Serpentine, we’re also invited to reconsider our own creative potential and the ways in which we engage with the world around us.