While vegetable plots and home gardening began trending at the start of the pandemic, potted plants are the trend as pandemic-related rules begin to relax across California and the rest of the nation, possibly a sign that entrepreneurs are betting the work-from-home concept will stay for a while.
In Long Beach, at least four different indoor plant shops have opened or expanded within the last year.
Foliage in Downtown opened in summer 2020, Plantiitas opened in fall 2020, and Planted LB in Bluff Park sprouted just this May. Peacock & Co. moved into its own space in August 2020. In short, there are plenty of places to purchase new plants and flowers to brighten up your home.
Check out the list of businesses below and let us know if we missed any by emailing [email protected]
PLANTED LB (209 Temple Ave)
Located on the corner of Temple Avenue and Broadway, Planted LB is ideal for first-time plant owners looking to buy low maintenance, “easy-peasy” greens for under $30. Such plants include a variety of succulents, snake plants, Begonias, Heartleaf Philodendon and more.
For those with a little more cash to spend, owner Kate Hockett has designed a number of specialty plant and orchid arrangements that include tiny plants, decorated with moss. Planted LB also sells terrariums, hand-dyed macrame hangers, pots, soil and other gardening accessories.
Make sure to stop by on Fridays for $25 grab-n-go bouquets arranged by Hockett.
Planted LB is open Wednesday – Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
PEACOCK & CO (306 Cerritos Ave)
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From small indoor trees to tiny succulents, Peacock & Co in Alamitos Beach features a wide range of greenery. The selection, perfect for the novice or seasoned plant owner, is curated by owner Stephanie Saharopulos, who buys from wholesale growers in Hawaii and Florida.
Most of the plants are potted or ready to be hung, but patrons can also purchase clay and ceramic pots, macrame hangers, soil and other accessories to prepare your plant for its new home.
Peacock & Co is open Thursday – Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
PLANTIITAS (4003 E. Fourth St )
This queer, Latinx-owned plant shop in Belmont Heights offers a wide variety of popular, low-maintenance houseplants and curated tropical varieties. Small common plants start at $3, while the rare niche ones can sell for up to $300. But most range between $10 and $30.
Patrons can also purchase pots, macrame hangers, soil and other staple gardening accessories.
Plantiitas is open Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 8 p.m; Thursday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
FOLIAGE (205 Long Beach Blvd.)
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The selection at Foliage in Downtown features vibrant, patterned varieties such as calathea beauty star, grey star, vitata, philodendron Birkin and other popular houseplants big enough to fill the corner of a room, or small enough to hold in your hand.
The shop also carries hand-crafted pots, hangers and other gifts, including candles, lotions, room sprays and live plant earrings. In case your wondering what live plant earrings look like:
Prices vary depending on rarity, but plants are generally between $14 – $20. Plants may also be purchased online.
Foliage is open Tuesday – Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PIPPI + LOLA (2630 E. Fourth St.)
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Queer, Latinx and women-owned, Pippi + Lola offers a majority of small to mid-size houseplants potted in handcrafted, designer pots. The shop in the Fourth Street Corridor also offers small indoor trees, cactus, succulents and other tropical plants, but stock changes frequently.
Patrons can pursue a number of ceramic and clay pots, macrame hangers and other gardening accessories.
Plant prices range depending on size and rarity, but cost between $30 – $52. Plants can also be purchased online.
The shop also offers services such as plant baths, repotting, aromatherapy and sauna sessions.
Pippi + Lola is open Wednesday – Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
ROOTED LB (3805 Atlantic Ave.)
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Rooted LB in Bixby Knolls stocks a wide variety of popular, low-maintenance houseplants and succulents ready to be potted or planted. With an emphasis on zero waste and sustainability, Rooted LB sells its unpotted plants wrapped in paper and tied with string.
Partnered with BYO Long Beach, the shop also offers eco-friendly candles, shampoo, conditioner, soap and other household products customers can stock up on by bringing their own containers, or buying one from the shop to take home.
The shop also sells ceramic and clay pots and other gardening accessories.
Rooted LB is open Tuesday – Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
AURANARY LOVE CO. (2469 Pacific Ave.)
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Auranary Love Co. is both a plant and florist shop owned by Nellie Alcaraz and Elizabeth Muñoz who opened up during the pandemic. Alcaraz, who runs the house plant department said she stockes a variety of succulents, cacti and small to mid-range housepants that are ideal for both beginners or more experienced plant parents.
Alcaraz said she make sure to stock affordable plants ranging from $8 to $18 so that everyone interested in owning a plant can get their hands on one.
Small, hand-sized plants, succulents and cacti generally cost $4. The more rare, fickle plants can cost anywhere from $25 to $40, but the average plant runs at about $15.
Auranary also offers a potting service ranging from $15 to $30 depending on the size of the plant and pot.
Auranary Love Co. is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment. Follow the shop on Instagram, here.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify when Peacock & Co. opened and to include the business Auranary Love Co.