A plant pandemic
PASTIME,
reimagined into a career RACHEL GIBBONS, ARIZONA DAILY SUN
Chelsea Thomas stands inside of her store Plantae in downtown Flagstaff. The store specializes in house plants and won Best of Flag’s category Best Plant Nursery.
C
SABRINA PROFFITT
helsea Thomas was on a mission to find a new career path that she was passionate about after finding herself unemployed due to the pandemic. With a love of keeping house plants, Thomas turned her hobby into a vision. She started Plantae as a pop-up shop outside of Rainbow’s End in downtown Flagstaff and opened her own brick-andmortar shop soon after. She opened the physical Plantae shop to the community in March 2021. Immediately, she was showered with community support and love. In order to stand out, her mission was to fill her nursery with unique and rare plants that were hard to find. “Right away it was made clear to me that there was a need for another plant nursery,” Thomas said. “I’m trying to bring a variety to town that we haven’t seen before. It’s been super fun 48 Best of Flag | 2021
Plantae | 112 E. Rte. 66, #106
COURTESY OF PLANTAE
Plantae also offers a variety of pots. to see people’s responses to the variety of plants. It’s been a year of trying to grow the business, figure out the business, what
works and doesn’t work.” Thomas goes to extreme distances to procure a wide range of plants – literally. She drives
to California twice a month and Phoenix weekly to pick up everything from ferns and succulents to Venus flytraps and more unique offerings. Beyond the variety of plants offered, Thomas wanted Plantae to be community-based. If a customer needed help or had a question, she wanted her team to be able to step in and help. “We’re also here to help with any type of care questions or if you’re having any problems with your plants,” Thomas said. “Our staff is always ready to help you get to the bottom with it and try to fix the problem. We sell pots and also drill drainage holes on demand. Even if you didn’t purchase the pot from us, you’re welcome to bring in your pot and we’ll drill holes for you for free.” While many businesses were negatively affected by the pandemic, Thomas found house plants were on the uprising. She noticed even people who had never taken care of a plant
