A plant lover's guide to plant shops in Sarasota-Manatee
We are in a plant renaissance.
According to a leading garden publication Garden Center Magazine, the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a surge of interest in houseplant care as a hobby in the United States. Its 2022 report shows a rise in houseplant sales as customers spent more time at home.
With the help of hundreds of Instagram and TikTok accounts dedicated to plant care, plant experts and stylists have cashed in on the houseplant craze over the past three years. The booming interest in indoor plants was noted by the Data Bridge Market Research center in late 2022 when it reported that the houseplant market will reach an estimated $26.2 billion in sales (about $81 per person in the U.S.) by 2029.
The shift in interest in houseplants is most noted among millennials. Purchases of house plants by millennials increased by over 60% in 2021, according to the report.
And as more millennials and newcomers move to the Sunshine State, the plant parent boom has made its way to Sarasota and Manatee, too.
Since the onset of the pandemic, small businesses that focus on houseplants and gardening have opened around area to meet the growing demand in the trending industry.
Sarasota-Manatee area plant shops
Across the Sarasota-Manatee region, unique and inviting plant shops are putting down roots. From backyard garden needs to low-maintenance greenery that livens up work-from-home desks, plant lovers of all types can find options, while supporting local small businesses. Here are a few:
Fancy Leaf Plant Co.: Instagram-worthy Fancy Leaf Plant Co. houses hundreds of indoor houseplants at its boutique shop in Parrish, which opened in April 2022. The company specializes in plant design and maintenance services and hosts pop-up events from its pink mobile storefront. Customers can choose from service packages for office or home plant designs that include watering, pruning, cleaning, and other maintenance. Address: 8267 US-301 Parrish. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancyleafplantco/.
Pilea Plants & Things: A Parrish-based mobile plant bar that sells various houseplants and care products from an eye-catching, refurbished vintage horse trailer.
Salt Your Soul Gift Co.: The south Sarasota part plant store, part metaphysical shop opened last November and offers a variety of plants, crystals, and similar metaphysical products. Store owner Jen Zak created the space as a way "to surround herself with things she loves" after completing a spiritual and healing journey in New Mexico during the pandemic and later relocating to Sarasota. Salt Your Soul Gift Co. carries a mix of items for plant care needs as well as health-focused products such as salt lamps and crystals and hosts plant swaps and pop-up events that focus on plant education, nature, and healing. Address: 7212 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/saltyoursoulgiftco/ .
Scott’s Exotic Plants & Nursery: Based in Bradenton and owned and operated by a trio of sisters, the shop and nursery grows and sells an array of tropical, exotic, and rare house plants for indoor and outdoor spaces. Scott’s focuses on plants that help to “positively impact mental health, air quality, and overall wellness in people.” The company's plants can be seen decorating local coffee shops such as downtown Bradenton’s Orange Blossom Coffee and Oscura Café. Plants can be purchased online or at Scott’s various booths at markets and shops around Manatee County. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Scotts_Exotic_Plants/.
Samantha Gholar covers news for the Herald-Tribune and USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at sgholar@gannett.com or on Twitter: @samanthagholar
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota-Bradenton plant shops you need to visit this spring
