Art and Design

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I will get a very small commission or referral fee at no additional cost to you. You can read more on my affiliate policy page. 

You know how it is. You’ve been walking through that flower market, or that hip district on your trip abroad, and you fall in love with a succulent or a bag of bulbs that you absolutely MUST bring back home with you. Before you shell out the cash and make the necessary bubble wrap preparations to keep your new gem intact on the flight back home, you should check whether you’re allowed to bring a plant from abroad.

Unfortunately, that’s often forbidden due to the risk of cross-contamination. For example, you can bring plants from other European Union states to the United Kingdom, but you need a ‘phytosanitary’ (plant health) certificate if you’re bringing (or ordering) plants from outside the E.U. Some plants are banned altogether. The United States Customs has similar restrictions.

But don’t take our word for it. Double-check with your airline and your country’s customs website. And check if the restrictions also apply to seeds.

In case you find that your new green friends have to stay put, here are a few other ideas for souvenirs that a plant-lover can bring home.

Our recommendation: use this occasion to support local artists. While you can but a lot of these items in the form of made-in-China merch from souvenir shops, that’s hardly the best use of your money now, is it?

1. Botanical illustrations

Why they make excellent souvenirs: Easy to carry and easy to find, botanical illustrations and prints can do double duty – as inconspicuous bookmarks, or up on the wall as reminders of your trip.

Where you can find them: Book stores, museum gift shops, botanical garden gift shops, some antique stores and consignment stores.

2. Pottery

Why they make excellent souvenirs: For a plant-lover, we’re obviously thinking of ceramic flower pots and planters, but feel free to think outside this box: coffee cups, coasters, or wall art will delight just as much.

Where you can find them: Local ceramicists’ studios, concept stores, fair trade shops, ethical gift shops.

3. Funky planters

Why they make excellent souvenirs: One word: quirky. We’ll nudge you again to think outside the box. From antique store tea pots to small dinosaur toys turned cactus planters to designer pieces that come in odd shapes, a lot of vessels can serve as a home for your plants.

Where you can find them: Antique stores, second-hand shops, concept stores, fair trade shops, ethical gift shops, museum gift shops.

4. Pressed plant jewellery

Why they make excellent souvenirs: They’re an easy way to bring back a bit of local flora. While they may not be widely available, a growing number of artists are now using pressed botanical materials to create one-of-a-kind pieces.

Where you can find them: Some concept stores, museum gift shops, consignment stores.

5. Gardening gloves

Why they make excellent souvenirs: You don’t have to indulge in outside gardening to make good use of gardening gloves. They’ll come in handy even for a quick repotting session in your apartment. Nobody likes fingernails full of dirt for too long.

Where you can find them: Plant stores, botanical garden gift shops.

6. Botanical stationery

Why it’s an excellent souvenir: It’s a super practical gift, even in the age of digital note-taking. A bit of botanical stationery – whether it comes in the form of calling cards, index cards, to-do lists or sticky notes – will cheer up your day.

Where you can find them: Book shops, museum gift shops, botanical garden gift shops.

7. Macrame plant hangers

Why they make excellent souvenirs: They’re very easy to fold and pack, and won’t take a lot of space. Once you put them on display, you’ll often be reminded of your holiday.

Where you can find them: Local craft markets, plant stores, some art supplies stores, fair trade shops, ethical gift shops.

What kind of souvenirs do you bring home from your trips?

If you want to read more about houseplants, hop on our once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no neverending email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.

The 2016 National Gardening Survey found that the yard and garden industry is now worth $36.9 billion. The industry is growing at a steady rate led by a plant-buying frenzy among millennials and a constant growth in food gardening. So let’s stop pretending that this is a frivolous industry and let’s give the startups that are taking a chance in this field a round of applause.

I initially wrote the post in early 2018, and I found it hard to find houseplant startups then. Oh my, how things have changed! In 2021, there are so many people getting into the houseplant industry with so much gusto that I’m finding it hard to pick the startups to feature on this list. The popularity of plant startups won’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s been paying any bit of attention. I explained a few of the reasons why millennials love houseplants in this post. 

So I’m expanding and adding to this list to reflect the 2021 houseplant startup landscape. 

(By the way, if you have a plant startup that you think people should know about, please feel free to reach out via the Contact on this website.)

These startups are cashing in on the houseplant craze (honestly, we think it’s here to stay) and disrupting the way we think about what’s possible to create with plants. (Excuse my overzealousness, I’ve always wanted to use the word “disrupting.”)

1. Habitat Horticulture’s Living Table

Habitat Horticulture is better known for their living walls, the most elaborate of which adorn public places such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Tesla Factory in Fremont, California. But Habitat Horticulture also serves individuals, instilling their love for living design primarily through a product they call the living table.

The living table is a sleek system of layers of plants, soil, felt and bio-materials under a cover of tempered glass. On the surface, it’s a coffee table that just steals the room. The process behind the living table is designed to mimic how plants absorb water from the ground, so the maintenance required to keep the table looking verdant is kept to a minimum.

Their website: http://livingtable.habitathorticulture.com/

2. Patch Plants

This London-based online plant shop was founded in 2015. Patch Plants sells houseplants, outdoor plants and pots. And my favorite thing about how they do their marketing at the quirky plant care courses/videos hosted by the knowledgeable and charming Alice Vincent. 

Each plant on the website comes with a short funny little description and special tips for its care. 

Their website: Patch Plants

3. The living lamp

Since we’re talking about disruption, few startups dare to reach for the sky and think different (sic), for real.

That’s why we’re in awe of Plant-e and Living Light, a Dutch collaboration focused on developing a way to generate electricity with the help of living plants. The plant-lamp generates electricity through the breakdown of organic matter, and it’s safe for both the plant and the environment. Product designer and founder, Ermi van Oers says that “We are on a joint mission to fuse nature, technology and design. We believe that the cross-pollination of science and design point towards the city of tomorrow.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Their website: https://www.livinglight.info/

4. Living pavement by Gewild Groei

Living pavement is the opposite of “made from plants.” But it’s made for plants to thrive. Living pavement is an open-tile system that allows vegetation to grow in public spaces. It also aids in reducing rainwater accumulation, the heat island effect and particulate matter accumulation. Plus, it’s really nice to look at the a patch that’s not just concrete, but a bit of greenery popping through.

Hop on to their website: http://gewildgroei.nl/ (in Dutch)

5. Bioo Pass

Back to using plants for generating electricity, an idea that has been picking up speed. What if you’re not using your plant as a reading lamp, but as a charging station for your phone? Or as an easy way to connect to wifi in public spaces such as hotels, restaurants and gyms?

This is the idea behind the Bioo line of tech, developed by Barcelona-based company Arkyne Technologies.

Bioo’s technology is based on obtaining energy from the decomposition of organic substances naturally expelled by plants. Have a look at the installations on their website to get a better idea of how Bioo works.

Their website: https://www.biootech.com

6. Greenery Unlimited 

This click-and-mortar company was founded by a married couple and stemmed from the belief that indoor plants improve the quality of life. They’ve adopted a hybrid business model, selling both online and in a retail storefront in Brooklyn – considered to be the first biophilic design store in the world. 

Greenery Unlimited is the perfect merge between plants and design. They carry plants and planters, but also modern accessories and growing systems that can adapt to a light maintenance schedule. 

Their website: https://greeneryunlimited.co/

7. Bloomscape 

Bloomscape is a US-based plant delivery company. Each order comes with simple customized care instructions, but you can also ask for tips and tricks from the Grow How team, a real-time expert support. 

Moreover, plants are shipped directly from the greenhouse and arrive on your doorstep within 3 to 4 days. So you’re sure to receive your plant in healthy conditions. They sell diverse houseplants, veggies and herbs and outdoor plants. 

Their website: https://bloomscape.com/

8. Bosque 

Bosque is a company based in Germany, and they take pride in being the first climate neutral store in this country. Their plants are grown to be sustainable and live healthy, long lives. If you’re just getting started with houseplants, Unkillable Plant Box might have to be your first stop! 

Their website: https://bosqueplants.com/en/

9. Generosa 

Generosa was founded in 2018 and is established in Lisbon, Portugal. For this startup, plants are not an element of the decor but are considered a tool for people’s wellbeing. Their goal is to reintroduce nature back in daily life and reconnect us to our roots. 

Generosa is selling directly to consumers and to companies. On the website, plants are classified by house rooms (living room, bathroom, etc.), so that you’ll be able to choose the best one according to the place. And all the pots that they’re selling are handcrafted in Portugal. 

Their website: https://generosa.pt/?lang=en

10. The Sill

No list of plant startups can possibly be complete without including The Sill.

Eliza Blank founded The Sill in 2012 guided by the strong belief that plants make people happy, so they should be more accessible to everyone, especially city-dwellers. From that idea, she created The Sill online shop.

The company also has three brick-and-mortar stores: one in New York City, one in San Francisco and one in Los Angeles. The Sill sells houseplants and bouquets. And if you’re just getting started as a houseplant parent, they’ll guide you on how to choose the best plants for beginners. 

Their website: https://www.thesill.com/

11. Pointless Plants 

The England-based shop was created with the goal of making our planet a greener, healthier and happier place to live. And part of this mission is to plant 10 trees for every order. 

(I wrote about other sustainability tips for houseplant lovers in this post.)

Pointless Plants pledge to compensate for all their carbon emissions. In 2019 they helped fund tree planting in Australia, after the Black Summer bushfires; and in 2021, they support a tree planting project in Madagascar. 

Their website: https://pointlessplants.com/

12. Pikaplant’s ecosphere jar

Pikaplant is an Amsterdam-based design-led company with a strong belief in craftsmanship and the benefits of living in a plant-rich environment. The firm currently has two designs on the market that embody these principles – a mason jar ecosphere with a sealed Coffea arabica inside, and a vertical garden with a passive irrigation system based on ebb-and-flow principles.

In addition , there’s an upcoming product currently in the final stages of development, Pikaplant Tableau – an automatic plant watering tray.

Pikaplant is growing by leaps and bounds, and if you’re strolling through the narrow streets of Dutch cities, you’re bound to see a few coffee plant jar peeking back at you from behind tall Dutch windows.

Their website: https://pikaplant.com/en/

We’re living in exciting times when it comes to innovation and creativity. And startups like the ones in this post are making sure that the world of plants is not left behind.

If you want to read more about houseplants, hop on our once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no neverending email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I will get a very small commission or referral fee at no additional cost to you. You can read more on my affiliate policy page.

I could start this blog post by reminding you how expensive wedding floral arrangements are. But you’re probably so aware of that as you plan your wedding, that it would even seem cruel to point it out. I get it. I’ve been there.

So allow me to plant the idea of a different possibility.

Have you thought of going off the beaten path with your floral wedding arrangements? No, I’m not talking about going fern-picking in the nearest ravine (although I heard a good dose of nature does wonders for wedding-related stress). I’m hinting that you can choose houseplants as a wedding decoration instead of the same old rose-lily-peony combo.

Here are five reasons why houseplant wedding arrangements are a good idea.

1. Houseplants are affordable.

Listen, when you’re buying plants for your wedding decor, you don’t have to tell anyone that their final destination is as eye candy for your guests. You’re probably already spending the big bucks on your dress, the cake and the venue. So keep a low profile and shop for decor at your local plant nursery or online.

Unless you order really fancy tropical plants, chances are that your purchase will be cheaper than what freshly cut flowers go for. And, with a little bit of care, it will last much longer.

2. Houseplants will make great memories.

Don’t you want to be that grandma who passes down their houseplant to the grandkids? (Mix in a romantic story about how you met the love of your life and how the two of you had a magical wedding.)

Of course you do! Sturdy houseplants can live for a very long time if you take care of them. (Just listen to stories from people who have inherited plants that were alive before their current owner was born.)

3. Houseplants are versatile.

You’ve probably come across succulent bouquets when you were looking for wedding flower arrangements, right?

But you don’t have to stop there. You can use air plants in a driftwood mobile, ferns for a jungle-style photo booth, and even moss balls as centerpieces.

Potted plants work too – think of using kalanchoe plants for their colorful blooms or orchids for a bit of elegance.

4. Houseplants are a conversation starter.

You were wondering whether your Aunt Matilda will have anything in common with your college roommate, since they’re stuck at the same table, right? Admit it, you were!

Well, maybe they’re both plant aficionados, so the socializing at that table won’t be so awkward.

In our experience, plants are always a conversation starter, and even people who are not so interested in plants will remark on a creative use of greenery.

5. Plants are a green alternative for party favors.

In the decluttering/minimalist phase that we’re going through right now, nobody wants to go home with a plastic trinket that they’ll toss next time they clean the car. (Let’s face it, that magnet and mini-photo frame will never make it to the house.)

Houseplants are eco-friendly as long as you make sure you don’t spray them with any pesticides or glitter. They’ll also brighten up your friends’ apartments and remind them of the wonderful time they had on your big day.

I’m convinced! What houseplants should I get for my wedding?

Here are a few ideas from us, but feel free to be as creative as you want with this idea.

+ A small colorful croton is a real showstopper. It’s elegant and it goes well as a centerpiece.

+ A succulent monogram will make for a vibrant photo backdrop.

+ A finger jade plant is believed to bring good luck.

+ Airplants hanging in mobiles over the dance floor will look great in pictures.

+ Marimo Japanese moss balls in a water bowl on the table will be sure to impress even your snarkiest guests.

+ Terrariums are always classy and you can learn how to make them in a simple workshop with your bridal party. Plus, it can count as a unique bonding experience.

Have I convinced you to give houseplants a try in your wedding decor?

If you want to read more about houseplants, hop on our once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no neverending email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.