Black Owned Plant Shops You Need To Know

Although black people are the foundation of sustainability and agriculture, the representation in the field is little to none. So deep down inside I feel like our souls dance when we find our brother or sister not only flourishing as an entrepreneurs, but flourishing in horticulture world. Plenty of black people are reuniting with their love for the soil and starting businesses that encourages others to do the same. Reclaiming our time and space in an arena we force out of is not easy, but of course, we make it happen. I’m proud to say I found 3 black owned plant shops that we all should get to know a little more about as well support as well continue to explore our love of land again. Check out these 3 black owned plant shops residing in their own cozy corners of the world bring us healthy and lush plants and accessories.

The Zen Succulent – www.thezensucculent.com

Your Name:

Megan George Cain, Owner of the ZEN Succulent

When and why you became interested in plants:

My passion for plants and indoor greenery came from my parents, Michael & Margaret George. They both grew up in rural North and South Carolins, among magical, large oak trees and flowering bushes. When they moved to the big city of Raleigh, NC, they brought the idea of bringing the outdoors in through houseplants. When had over 100 different houseplants happily thriving in our home growing up — monstera’s, rubber trees, sansevierias, vining philodendrons and pothos plants that trailed throughout the kitchen cabinets are just a few of my favorites, many of which are still growing in their home.

Growing up, it was my responsibility to take care of them all and I ate first hated it –I wanted to be outside playing with my friends but I was spending so much time pruning and trimming and watering just as much as the plant needed. But after a while, it became a highlight of my week, taking the time to breathe and relax and to see my care for them rewarded with my growth and leaves. Little did I know, my parents were teaching me a listen when they asked me to care for the plants — they were teaching me to care for something other than myself, a lesson that I am so proud to have learned at such a young age.

When and why you became a plantpreneur:

I created the ZEN Succulent as an online-only terrarium & plant craft business in 2012 as a side hustle a year I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with my Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. At the time I was working at a job in sales for the State of North Carolina and was unsatisfied in my career, wanting to move into the Marketing field with the company. However, with my lack of real-world marketing experience, I had to gain that experience somehow so the ZEN Succulent was born. It was a way to focus my energy and build a brand from the ground up, using my background in marketing to create a digital making campaign, graphic design, and sales. Little did I know at the time that this would build into a viable business.

In 2016 we moved the ZEN Succulent into the brick and mortar space in downtown Durham created it into a neighborhood plant & gift shop we know today with a second location added in 2018. We went from a team of 1 to still a small team of 6 shopkeeps that help run each of our storefronts. Our storefronts specialize in low maintenance houseplant & tropical greenery — ferns, succulents, air plants, pothos, philodendrons, you name it (when it comes to low maintenance) we have it. That is our niche market to have a business that focusing specifically on easy to care for plants in a friendly and educational environment.

What exactly do you sell and what is your business all about:

We are a modern terrarium and plant craft business based in beautiful Durham, North Carolina. The ZEN Succulent was created by the mother/daughter team Margaret and Megan George.

Our living landscape creations are a modern take on traditional terrariums inspired by our natural surroundings, our love for urban planting, and our delight in color. We play with the concepts of nature’s classical elements (air, earth, water) though our individual terrarium’s use of tillandsia air plants, Japanese marimo balls, vibrant succulents, and more, and how each inhabits its respective landscape.

Tell us something you want us to know about your business:

We use social media to connect to our customers in an authentic & genuine way — this is where we build our brand to be more than a company that sells plants to provide knowledge & welcoming small business that educates on greeny, supports things we are passionate about and happens to sell greenery.

We use social media daily to connect with our customers and very proud of our 26K dedicated followers on Instagram and our 35K followers throughout our social media platforms. Our favorite way to reach customers past beautiful photos and captions is using our Instagram Stories to show the behind the scenes and daily activities that go on in each storefront — unboxing new maker made goods, plants, customer DIY Terrarium Bar creations — and also the plant tips that we add weekly throughout “Plant Tip Tuesday” series (a weekly 2-minute video on a specific plant we carry in-store and how to care for it).

Where can we find you on the internet and in-person:

Instagram at www.Instagram.com/theZenSucculent /
Facebook at www.facebook.com/theZenSucculent

and at either of our neighborhood plant & gift shops at:

123 Market Street

Downtown Durham, NC 27701

or

208 S. Wilmington Street in downtown

Raleigh, NC 27601

@The ZEN Succulent

read more:  How To Choose Your First House Plant

LILLITH PLANT SHOP – www.lillithplantshop.com

Your Name:

Starsha Valentine

When and why you became interested in plants:

I always had an interest in plants, however, I didn’t actually realize I had a “green thumb” until 2016/2017. I always assumed everyone had plants and knew how to take care of them. When I launched my business in 2018, from the overwhelming response I realized that a lot of people have the interest but just need a little help with choosing the right plants for their space and simple instructions for plant care.

When and why you became a plantpreneur:

I became a plantpreneur because I saw a need and I thought I could meet it. Although I love plants and feel like it is a connection to God, I created this business because I thought it could be successful and help others with a specific interest in my community.

What exactly do you sell and what is your business all about:

Lillith Plant Shop works with individuals and organizations to cultivate indoor green spaces. We work with clients to determine the right plants and accessories to maintain a lush plantscape while also providing detailed instructions on plant care & maintenance. In addition, we provide resources such as workshops, blog posts, social media tidbits, and other helpful info.

Tell us something you want us to know about your business:

There is no such thing as a black thumb. Everyone can learn how to take care of their desired plantscape. They just need the right tools and info, to make the best decisions for their space. Lillith Plant Shop provides just that support. We are here to help, no judgement.

Where can we find you on the internet and in person:

You can find LPS at www.lillithplantshop.com, starsha@lillithplantshop.com, @lilithplantshop on IG & Facebook and @lillithplantsdc on Twitter.

I am always available for questions on all these platforms. In person, the workshop schedule for the spring will be announced in February. We are also excited to launch more events and collaborations in 2020.

How You Can Support Black Owned Plant Shops

• Follow, like, subscribe, and share their social media
• Purchase without asking for a discount
• Recommend or promote a black owned plant shops when given the opportunity