We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tean Luther a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tean, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry?

There are a multitude of things that corporate America gets wrong when it comes to the houseplant industry. When shopping at a retailer such as Home Depot or Target for plants, you will often find plants looking droopy, brown, or simply dead. Even plants which appear to be in good health could be suffering from issues under the soil, which will not manifest until later. Overwatering, for example, can lead to root rot, which will not immediately manifest in the foliage. Big box stores fail to realize that individualized care is crucial. From watering to temperature to humidity, houseplants are not a “one size fits all”. Generalized care leads to pest infestations, disease, and dead plants. An African Violet has far different needs from a Fiddle Leaf Fig, and providing each with the same conditions will leave both plants dead. Plants are living organisms, and must be nurtured in order to thrive!
Another issue that is often overlooked is soil. Corporate companies often buy cheap ingredients to make the biggest profit on their product, not considering the long term effect. Pine bark, for example, is widely found in soil. It is a cheap additive that in time decays and actually attracts bugs. Some companies sell soil with incredibly high levels of nitrogen, resulting in “burned” roots, stunted growth, and yellow leafs. Instead of supporting healthy roots and leaves, cheap soil will actively work against your plant.
At Moss Houseplants, each plant is cared for individually by hand. They are watered according to the percentage of soil that has dried out, ensuring nothing goes under/overwatered. They are arranged through the store with ideal lighting conditions in mind, so a bright light loving plant will never be forgotten in a dark corner. Our plants are treated weekly to ensure a pest- free environment as well. In addition to this, we have partnered with a local small business to carry small batch artisan soil. This soil has been lab tested and workshopped extensively to ensure a perfect growing medium. From beneficial bacteria to kelp meal, our soil expert only uses the highest quality materials to ensure a happy, healthy plant.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was introduced to the world of houseplants when I stumbled upon a free Pothos propagation in a neighbor’s driveway as a child. I grew up with an emphasis on spending time outside in the foothills of Colorado- from biking to hiking to spending the day by the river, nature was never far from home. In addition to this, I was raised around my father’s lush gardens, leaving me no stranger to plants. I quickly developed a love for houseplants from my small Pothos propagation, and my collection grew quickly as I delved into the world of houseplants.
As cliche as it might sound, I believe nature is truly the best medicine. I have always found peace in the outdoors, and in a fast paced society that revolves around social media and technology, peace can be hard to come by. People often forget the value in slowing down and tuning out of the quick dopamine hits provided by a screen. I have found houseplants to be a widely accessible way to reconnect humans with nature. Bringing just one plant in the home/office/classroom has been shown to have multitudes of benefits on the human psyche. From lowering stress levels to improving focus and air quality, houseplants are an easy step one can take towards living a healthier, happier life. In addition to all this, houseplants are fun! With so many different shapes, sizes, and colors, they are a great way to express yourself and brighten up any room.
I wanted to share my love for plants and all the benefits they provide with my community. From this passion, Moss Houseplants was born. Moss Houseplants is Boulder’s premier plant shop, focusing exclusively on houseplants and houseplant accessories. From classic Pothos vines to rare varietals sought after by plant collectors, we have something for everyone! We also offer local handmade pottery, local artisan soil blends, plant care products, a variety of terrarium workshops, and a beautiful community space for friends to gather and enjoy a cup of tea. We are connected to our sister store, Wild Vine Ink. Wild Vine Ink is an intimate tattoo studio aiming to provide a safe, serene tattoo experience for all ethnicities, sexualities, and bodies. Contact one of Wild Vine’s resident artists for an appointment, or come by for walk- in tattoos from 11-6 Wednesday- Sunday!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

While we are only about three months into business, I believe being truly passionate about your mission, running your business with integrity, and providing quality products/ customer service is the best way to build a solid reputation. Upon entrance, we greet every customer with a smile and offer to help direct them to the right product, whether they know exactly what they are looking for or have never been in a plant shop! Our plants are all in exquisite health, as we want to set our customers up for success after bringing a plant home. We confidently stand behind all the plant care products we carry, regularly using them for our own plants.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

We keep in contact with our customers through an email list and loyalty accounts! Our emails are sent once a month with announcements, email exclusive coupons, and new products that can be found in store! In addition to this, we offer a loyalty program where customers can collect “plant points” towards discounts on future purchases!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mosshouseplants.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mosshouseplants
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/mosshouseplants
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/moss-houseplants-boulder
• Other: https://wildvineink.com

Image Credits

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