Potty about plants? You're in the right place!

Hey!

Welcome to the official Potty blog. Whether you have found us through a panicked google search (‘My late grandmother’s plant is dying, HELP!’) or you are already a member of the Potty community, welcome.

What is Potty?

If you’ve made it this far you probably already have some inkling that Potty is indeed a houseplant shop. It is also a houseplant community. What started as a few cacti up for sale has grown to become a vibrant, ever blooming garden of fun-filled community events, botanical craft sessions (for all ages) and even a popular plant bingo (picture prizes, cocktails and Alex in a gold sequin waistcoat). We still sell houseplants, of course. Whether you buy online, send Alex a cheeky special request via Instagram DM, or find us at one of our pop-ups you will experience the joyful community spirit that Potty, and Alex, inspire.

The Sunshine Plant Collective

Ever been to a plant swap in central Manchester? No?

The Sunshine Plant Collective is no doubt the best example of Potty’s ability to build community and bring fun to houseplant lovers everywhere. Based in the New Cross, a vibrant café in the ever-developing Ancoats, Alex held the first large scale plant swap that Manchester has seen since 2024. Plant-swappers purchased their tickets and travelled from far and wide to participate in The Sunshine Plant Collective’s northern plant swap. It was even sponsored by the incredible Soil Ninja, supplying tonnes of soil for our swappers to repot with on the day - can you believe that!

The northern plant community came bearing newly rooted buds, fresh cuttings, and some people even offered up fully potted plants – a steal if you ask me!

Along with access to the swap, swappers received a branded Potty tote bag featuring lots of extra merch: a discount for cold-water sessions, a handmade macramé keyring, essential oils and crystals to name a few of the goodies included.

Debs, houseplant enthusiast from St.Helens, commented:

[I am] so happy to see a plant swap just for us northerners! Alex and the team did an awesome job – it’s not just a plant swap, it’s a community with so many fun things to do.

@thebotanicalmess

Speaking of so many fun things to do, for those that did not get involved with the plant swap, there was free access to a bunch of alternative plant themed activities. You could buy a Potty houseplant from me, obviously a top activity for everyone coming through the door.

Hey! Look! It's me, in the yellow!

You could paint a plant pot for your newly purchased plant, and we had a team on hand to help with getting that artistic vision juussst right! This was a real winner with the kids, future houseplant experts in the making!

We even had a repotting station where people were encouraged to bring their plants from home that they needed assistance with repotting. Armed with a generous donation of Soil Ninja’s best houseplant soil, Katie wrestled overgrown Monsteras for the best part of the afternoon.

She has definitely qualified for the title of houseplant surgeon at this point (and maybe even as a brand ambassador for Soil Ninja, wink-wink... nudge-nudge...).

What’s that? You missed it? No worries! It’s all taking place again on the 12^th July at Hulme Garden Centre. Join me, Alex and the rest of the Potty crew for another day of fun, houseplants and a few special surprises (including another heap of specialised potting mix from Soil Ninja, 100% peat-free!)

So to give you the rundown: Potty is a houseplant shop. But, it is also a northern houseplant community that is based in Manchester and growing more and more every day.

If you want to learn more about Potty then keep your eye out for more of our blog posts. We’ll talk more in depth about what a plant swap actually is for those who are new to the houseplant world, cover the basics on why plants are so popular in urban spaces like Manchester, and why so many big companies are mad about bringing plants into the workspace (we’re talking Savills, Natwest, Care UK and other names you may have heard of before). We’ll also get into the ‘how to’ of becoming a proud plant parent, with specialised advice from Alex all for free (I paid nearly 20 quid to hear him speak about it at the RHS!).

I’m Lauren by the way, a volunteer for Potty, friend to Alex and houseplant lover (though definitely not an expert!) You may have spoken to me at a pop-up before, or even seen me on the Potty socials (@pottymcr). Keep up with me on our brand new Potty blog, where I will share what wisdom I can with the aim of not only helping you nurture your plants, but finding a community where you can connect with those just as potty about plants as you!