Shopping 5x urban jungle

5×urban jungle

AS WE’RE PROBABLY STILL SPENDING THE MAJORITY OF OUR TIME AT HOME, WHY NOT CHEER UP YOUR SURROUNDINGS BY CREATING YOUR OWN URBAN JUNGLE? IT’S A BRILLIANT IDEA, AS GREEN HAS A CALMING INFLUENCE, PLANTS IMPROVE THE AIR QUALITY AND THEY HELP KEEP YOUR SPIRITS UP.

1

LOVE OF PLANTS STEK VOOR JE PLEK

You could call Stek voor je Plek a hobby that got out of hand. Margot, the woman behind this green paradise, started her shop in Hardebollenstraat purely because she loves plants. You could spend hours here, nosing around the mini-cacti, bonsai-ginseng, pancake plants and beautiful homemade terraria. Even the vintage furniture is for sale. The shop was launched last year as a pop-up store, but Margot has decided to stay on. Good news for plantlovers in Utrecht!

> Hardebollenstraat 4

@stekvoorjeplek

2

TROPICAL PALMS DAEN’S GREENHOUSE

You’ll find everything you need at Daen’s: clothes, a nice cuppa with a slice of cake, and something to expand your urban jungle. Daen’s Greenhouse, on the corner of Korte Minrebroederstraat, is packed with all things green – from modest houseplants to ceiling-high palms. They also sell attractive flowerpots, designer vases and luxury travel books. What’s more, the shop serves as a lobby for guests staying in one of the high-end urban apartments in the hotel of the same name upstairs.

> Korte Minrebroederstraat 13-17

daens.nl

3

GREEN CORNER WONDERWOUD

The store on the corner of Kerkstraat and Nachtegaalstraat doesn’t just serve coffee and vegan cakes – it also sells plants, home accessories and vintage items. The Wonderwoud plant store is run by Sonja and Lynn, who also have a shop in the centre of Maastricht. Their store is a real urban jungle with cosy corners, seating and music from an old-school gramophone. And of course there’s a good chance that you’ll leave with a new houseplant under your arm.

> Nachtegaalstraat 34

wonderwoudplanten.com

4

DRIED FLOWERS LE JARDIN

The charming Mariaplaats is home to a restaurant/flower shop combi. Florist Le Jardin sells gorgeous bouquets of dried flowers, gifts and green plants for indoors and out. If it’s allowed again, don’t forget to visit the restaurant for a bite to eat, where they’ll cook you a meal based on the best and freshest seasonal vegetables and herbs. They also provide meal kits to take home.

> Mariaplaats 42 lejardinutrecht.nl

Find it on the map

See page 64

5

GREEN PARADISE

ROOD & BLOEM

Carolien Rutgers’ shop is Utrecht’s green paradise. There’s no way you could leave this shop without a bag full of plants. As well as houseplants in all shapes and sizes, you’ll find beautiful plant pots and fun gifts to give away (or keep for yourself). In the spring, Rood & Bloem sells a range of items for your garden or balcony.

> Springweg 14

roodenbloem.nl