Plante: New retailer is a haven for houseplant hobbyists

A tip from a Gunbarrel reader led the Courier to this new store, dedicated entirely to the sale and care of houseplants, at 375 McCaslin Boulevard in Louisville. The business, called Plante, is the creation of co-owners and general partners Trevor Kuntz and Kyle Rutz, experienced plant growers with longstanding ties to Boulder County and the Niwot-Gunbarrel area.

"Plants are inherently good, and they help you remember things, increase self-esteem," Rutz said. "We think anybody can be successful. We don't think there's any such thing as a black thumb."

Both owners developed their focus on growing things over time. Before working at Sturtz and Copeland, Rutz worked for a florist and a landscaper. He has a degree in environmental sociology from CU Boulder.

After a career in marketing, Kuntz worked at Red Wagon Organic Farm in Niwot. While he was drawn to growing things, he admitted he felt like more of a gardener than a farmer. He said that he learned a lot about plants from his jobs, but his biggest teacher has been the people he's talked with through the years.

The hobby of plant care has grown since the pandemic as housebound individuals looked for something to brighten their space.

"There was an obvious demand," said Kuntz. "People want more plants, but just don't know how to take care of them. We wanted to create a store where people felt like they were gaining knowledge and we could help them."

As shoppers walk into the new space, the first noticeable element is shelves full of striking foliage. The second is the conversation.

In the same way customers at a pet supply store might ask about how to keep their birds, fish, and four-legged friends happy, Plante's customers are asking about greenery. During a single afternoon, one customer wanted to know what it meant if leaves drooped and wondered why a different plant seemed less happy when they brought it up from the basement. Another needed information about watering.

The conversations and advice which are so prominent at Plante point to something larger - community. "I love just talking to people about plants, said Rutz. "The customers themselves have been a wealth of knowledge. Like someone who comes in and has been growing begonias for 20 years. We'll definitely pick their brain, figure what they're doing, and pass that onto other customers."

At the same time they're looking to build community, the owners are integrating community-made pottery and art in the store. "We're trying to get a lot in from local potters because it gives more of a unique feel to things," Kuntz said. "We've also been fortunate to find quite a few artists to show. Someone from town even did the store's chalkboard for us."

Plante is the result of a close partnership between the partners, who met while working at Sturtz and Copeland in Boulder. "I wanted to start my own store for a long time, but I couldn't do it all myself," Kuntz said. When I found Kyle, he filled in all the blanks that I had, and his knowledge was very complementary to mine."

Now that their shop is open, the owners are excited to host events and expand services. "We're trying to do a lot of pop-ups over the summer, and possibly live pottery demonstrations," said Rutz.

Kuntz said, "We'll also expand our services a bit. We'll do installation and maintenance for businesses and people's houses. We'll come and either tell them what they're doing wrong, as a consult, or help them fill up their spaces."

That ability to help keep spaces clean is just one of the reasons why Kuntz and Rutz are glad to be running their store. They love to bring the goodness of plants to people and they finish each other's sentences as they explain why. "They make people happy. They clean the air, they're good for peace of mind, well-being and productivity. [In offices] there are less sick days, less sad workers." said Kuntz.

Five Tips for growing happier houseplants

Kuntz and Rutz have years of houseplant experience to share, and a passion for helping growers succeed. In that spirit, here are a few tips they have for good growing:

1. Don't forget about your plant. Some people set a plant in a corner or on a table and move onto other things. Instead of placing it to the side, try to place it where you'll be aware of it.

2. If you want your plant to be successful, watch it. Notice and respond to things about it such as its color, shine, or dirt quality.

3. Get to know your plant. Start by reading labels and move onto online resources or books so you'll know more about how much water, light, food and attention it needs.

4. Be willing to fail. Everyone makes mistakes and if that happens, so go easy on yourself and learn from it.

5. Start slow. Take on one plant at a time.