Organic plants are common on farms and in supermarket vegetable and fruit aisles. But what about the plants in our vases, around our homes, and in our public spaces? And the plants we use for restoring natural habitats?

We believe that the ornamental plants merit the same attention and care as the plants that we eat. Most plants, after all, are food or shelter for other creatures.

Because they are not made for human consumption, ornamental plants do not come under the same pesticide regulations that food crops do, and often contain much greater concentrations of harmful chemicals than conventional fruits and vegetables. These chemicals help create perfect looking plants, but they are toxic for the people who handle them, and for the insects and creatures who eat them or use them to make homes.

Many ornamental growers use organic practices but are not certified - and we think that’s great! You should shop with them! Most of them are probably telling the truth.

But we also believe in verifiability and accountability. The best way to ensure that the plants you purchase are not treated with synthetic pesticides and herbicides that will harm you or the environment is to choose organic plants.