“Plants made fun,” is the motto at one of CLT’s hottest new small businesses, PlantHouse. This family-owned company out of Virginia found a third home in Dilworth last October. (It has other locations in Richmond and Virginia Beach.) PlantHouse provides hands-on terrarium experiences (either DIY Take Home Kits or Plant Crew guided builds onsite)–and a plethora of oxygen-giving gifts and home goods. They’ll even pot a plant for you in one of their beautiful vessels using a plant you already own or one you adopt from their interesting species.
“Fun” is exactly how I would describe my recent experience at PlantHouse.
The crafting experience is both relaxing and energizing, much like it feels being surrounded by plants. The generous Plant Crew guided us through considerations we needed to make to choose our container and plants: How into “high maintenance” are we (oh, if they only knew?) Which styles and colors catch our attention? Where do we plan to display it?
Once my son and I made our selection and learned about proper care, we were ready to design and construct. Together we chose the scheme (nautical, floral, woodland), colors and contrasts, and accessories–all included.
It was a highly sensory process, involving both aesthetic and engineering mentalities. Getting that jellyfish air plant positioned was not as easy as it appears, so thank you to the crew members for their patient assistance. We are so proud of our terrarium, but the really beautiful elements that emerged at PlantHouse were these:
-My son and I forged a tighter bond through learning something new together.
-My ‘tween now finds plants “cool.” He even spent some of his allowance on a Venus Flytrap. (Changing our children’s perceptions of and interactions with their natural environment is one small way we parents can support 2021’s Earth Day theme of “Restore Our Earth.”)
– Charlotteans from all walks of life–of different backgrounds and ages–were bustling around the store united by a singular focus. Small moments of unity like this during such a divisive time generate hope and positivity.
There will be plenty more visits to PlantHouse in my future. After all, there is a sip-and-shop option that would spice up a date night or Girls’ Night Out (Taco Mama is right next door too.) Mother’s Day is right around the corner, so I plan to bring my mom in for a terrarium experience treat. And my son did mention he’d enjoy a birthday gift card so he can return and build an even bigger terrarium. And then there’s that friend who is under the weather, who might find some cheer in a tiny potted succulent. Oh, and I should probably stop back by for a second Good Vibes mug before they run out!
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