A Salford-based potted plant company is running an event to help raise awareness about mental health and local businesses.
Potty Houseplants is a company started in Salford that works around the Greater Manchester area, selling succulents.
Started by Alex Mantle, the company has developed many ideas to create more traction and move their business beyond an online store.
Alex said: “I started Potty Houseplants two and a half years ago. The goal was to have an online plant shop. I thought that I would be able to just open the website and sell some plants and everyone would just come flocking – but it doesn’t work like that.
“So in January 2024, I started my first event and it’s grown from there. It’s a community-focused business and I’ve really found my joy in connecting with people and sharing my happiness and sharing my sunshine with the world.”
Potty has been putting on multiple events for years and is set to have a brand new one take place this month.
The Sunshine Plant Collective, the newest of their events, aims to provide a new lens on plants.
Potty aims to have more of a focus on the natural world that people may have strayed away from. Promoting mindfulness and wellbeing is only a start to the Sunshine Plant Collective.
The event has also partnered with Mind Charity to have a donation space for any plants people may no longer be able to take care of, allowing new owners to take care of the houseplant instead.
When talking about the effect of plants, Alex said: “I think for a lot of people in everyday society it’s not realistic to say go and be outside all weekend. It’s just not possible.
“We live a really fast-paced life, so if I can just tell people to get a houseplant, put it somewhere it’s going to thrive and don’t forget every now and then and just feel it and take a moment to be with it. I think that’s really accessible.”
The event has a heavy focus on community building but also allows for small businesses to serve products at the event, with catering, terrariums, plants and more for sale.
The event takes place on 29 March at The New Cross, free for all to attend from 12pm-4pm.
