Why did I want to start a business selling plants?

For as long as I can remember, plants have been more than just part of the environment. They've been part of who I am. When I was 12 years old I had a small plant stand outside our house on the main road, It was an honesty box stall but I sat at the window for hours, waiting and watching for people stopping by, as soon as they left I would run out to see what plants I needed more of and what was most commonly purchased. Back then I sold mainly succulents, flaxes and begonia that I propagated from my parents gardens. 

As I grew up I became a collector. Doing everything I could to get my hands on the newest rare plants. My first "rare" plant was an Njoy Pothos from mitre10 not long after  Covid hit New Zealand. It cost me $64.99 and nobody could understand why I as a 15 year old would spend so much on a plant. But I knew I could propagate it and make back that money while having the plant myself. Covid-19 was a huge eye opener for me, having so much time on my hands really bought out my love for plants.

Over time, that urge to collect turned into knowledge. I started doing an online horticulture course through open polytechnic, before applying for a job working at a nursery. While working at the nursery I continued to integrate the horticulture course, gaining my certificate 6 months early because that's how passionate I was. I learned the science behind growth, soil composition, root systems, pest management, large scalepropagation techniques and so much more. But more importantly, I learned the emotional side of plants, how they transform spaces, how they calm people, how they reconnect us with something natural in a very fast-paced world.

The more I worked in the industry, the more I realized, plants change people. They soften hard spaces, bring life into homes and workplaces, teach patience, responsibility, and care. And yet, I also saw how many people were intimidated by them. They wanted greenery but didn't know where to start. They were afraid of getting it wrong.

That's when the idea of starting my own business began to grow.

I didn't just want to sell plants. I wanted to share confidence. I wanted to make plant ownership accessible, inspiring, and sustainable. I wanted to combine my experience, my collection knowledge, and my passion into something that could help others experience what I've experienced, the joy of watching something thrive because you took the time to understand it.

Starting my own business wasn't just about independence. It was about alignment. It was about building something that reflects my values: care, growth, patience, and connection.

Plants have taught me that growth doesn't happen overnight. It requires the right environment, consistent effort, and believing in potential. In many ways, starting this business feels exactly the same.

This business is not just a commercial venture. It's the next stage of a lifelong relationship with plants and a commitment to helping others cultivate that same relationship.