Arts
How does your garden grow?
Gardening, a favourite hobby among many Sri Lankans regardless of their age has become increasingly popular over the past eight months or so, mainly due to the COVID pandemic and the lockdown that followed.
The Sunday Times Magazine dived into the virtual world of social media, to take a look at some who have turned their passion for gardening and love of plants into a part-time or full-time venture.
 J & G Plants J & G Plants started by Gaia Nayomi and her boyfriend Janaka has been in operation for just six months. “We started planting vegetables and herbs at home during the lockdown when people could not get what they needed. We especially saw the potential in selling herbs as we could not buy any herbs and plants in the area we live,” Gaia said.
Working with a few courier companies, they deliver plants and other items across Sri Lanka within 24 hours. Gaia and Janaka operate from their home garden in Kattuwa, Negombo, so customers can visit and pick up plants at any time. Orders can also be placed through WhatsApp, Facebook (J & G Plants Negombo) or Instagram (jgplantsnegombo). Their goal is to start a garden centre in Negombo, Gaia says. | |
 Plant House Plant House is an online venture launched in 2018 by Thamali Palihadaru, a Sri Jayewardenepura University graduate, who currently works for a finance company. “I always loved gardening and I have an enormous passion for nurturing plants. I loved the aesthetic aspect of the plants – the different colours and enchanting shapes of each plant or tree,” she told the Sunday Times Magazine. Plant House sells a wide range of indoor and outdoor plants in decorative pots, which can be used for home décor and given as gifts. She also sells customised clay pots, plant covers made from palmyrah leaves and macramé plant hangers. “It has already proved to be a lucrative business and I have plans to expand it to different areas,” she added. Plant House has a delivery service, and according to Thamali they cater to customers across the island. Thamali can be contacted through Facebook (planthouse.sl) and Instagram (plant_house_sl) pages, or on WhatsApp on 070 214 1962.
| |
 PLANTS Sri Lanka PLANTS Sri Lanka is Pradeep Herath, a University of Kelaniya graduate’s start-up for people who want to give plants as gifts. “I have been doing this since last year, and it is fun and a good source of income. It requires a lot of patience, but the best thing about this business is that I can be my own boss,” he said. “I wanted to do something new. My ultimate goals are to give back to the earth, help people grow plants and protect the environment. I’m proud to say that so far I have distributed around 100,000 plants in Sri Lanka,” he added. PLANTS Sri Lanka focuses on selling plants in packages, an ideal gift, Pradeep says, for weddings or special occasions. Fruit plants, flower plants, cacti and succulents are a few of the plant varieties that customers can choose and pick even how they should be wrapped. He also has many different indoor plants for homes, offices, hotels and apartments. PLANTS Sri Lanka has its own delivery service and delivers plants across Sri Lanka. Contact Pradeep through Facebook (Plants Sri Lanka), Instagram (plantssl) and also through WhatsApp. Customers can also request ‘sample’ plants before they place a bulk order. “We hope to launch our website soon, so people can purchase our plants direct,” Pradeep said.
| |
 Joy Plants Joy Plants is run by full-time mother and housewife Iresha Jayawardana. Iresha was inspired to start her business two years ago after seeing many Europeans growing plants indoors. She wanted to encourage the same concept here, so she sells many rare indoor plants as well as cane plant pots and plant holders.
She delivers plants within the Gampaha district, and her customers can reach her through her Instagram page (joyplantsri), Facebook page (Joy Plants), through WhatsApp and direct calls on 071 984 1010 or visit her home in Ja-Ela to check out the plants and gardening items she offers. Some knowledge and experience is required to take care of plants, but gardening, everyone agrees, is a rewarding hobby. Whether you are an avid home gardener, someone who is looking to add a little bit of greenery to your home or office space or just looking to gift a small potted plant or succulent, these enthusiasts may be able to help you. | |
While they mainly sell vegetable plants and a large variety of herbs, they also provide fruit trees and flowering plants on request through other suppliers as well as succulents, plastic and clay flower pots, potting mix and fertiliser.
“Gardening is my passion and I am really happy to share my knowledge and experience about gardening with my customers,” she said.