Huntsville’s Botanica is a special gem for indoor plant collectors. The shop, located off of Governor’s Drive close to the heart of Huntsville, specializes not only in offering quality plants to customers, but also thorough education on how to take care of the potted flora.

Kitt Campbell, a longtime employee of the store, took over Botanica in 2023 from former owner, Caitlin Hastings.

According to Campbell, when Hastings decided to retire from the plant shop industry, she enthusiastically offered the store to her because she saw her passion for houseplants and educating others about them.

“Owning my shop, especially with such a strong foundation in my work at Botanica, allows me to turn my dreams into reality while continuing to share my love for plants with the community,” Campbell said.

In discussing her journey as the store’s proprietor, Campbell shared it has gone well but that it has also been a learning experience, familiar territory to many small business owners.

“I always cared for the plants’ health at Botanica, but it became a much more deeply seeded emotional challenge to address plant health and maintain a welcoming store atmosphere that added complexity to owning the shop,” she said.

Since becoming the owner of Botanica, Campbell has made some exciting updates to the shop, making it even more unique.

“I’ve been working hard to strike a balance between honoring Botanica’s unique charm and introducing my personal touch. It has been a rewarding journey,” Campbell shared.

One of the first projects she completed with her team was the creation of a grow wall, an area of the store that draws attention to rare plants. Campbell and her colleagues also fulfilled a dream they had with the addition of an indoor greenhouse.

Additionally, they enlarged the space by removing a wall, giving the shop more space to increase their product offerings and improve their customers’ overall experience.

The store sells a range of non-plant-related items like waist beads, incense, candles, artwork, and more.

“This expansion also allowed us to establish an open classroom that serves not only as a classroom but also as an event space for private gatherings,” Campbell said.

Campbell’s experience as a rare plant specialist has given her the ability to curate a varied selection of unique plants for Botanica’s customers.

While it can be challenging to offer plants for both beginners and collectors, Botanica works to achieve this by creating a diverse inventory. Instead of large quantities of one specific plant, they opt for smaller numbers in a broader variety.

“For beginners, we have plants that are easy to care for, resilient, and widely available, such as pothos, snake, and spider plants. For collectors, we include rare and exotic species that require more specialized care, like variegated monstera or rare orchids,” Campbell explained.

Botanica also provides customers with detailed care guides and resources, which according to Campbell, helps beginners feel confident and collectors stay engaged with unique finds.

Being able to understand rare plants’ specific habitats and needs has helped to form her inventory choices, which, in turn, ensures the overall well-being of the store’s products.

“This expertise also aids in educating customers about plant maintenance, fostering a community of passionate plant enthusiasts, and helping them make informed decisions, ultimately increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty,” Campbell said.

When asked about a memorable moment or interaction with a customer, Campbell says she can name many.

“I have had several amazing customers who have fueled my passion for the shop in many ways. Knowing their love for me, my shop, and what we offer the community furthers my desire to improve not only Botanica but also myself for my community on a daily basis,” she shared.

As for Campbell’s future goals for Botanica, a successful and thriving business is important, but it’s equally key for the store to continue as a vibrant community atmosphere where everyone is welcome.

“It’s not just a monetary-based hope for me. Botanica is my solace and place of comfort, and I want to continue spreading joy, peace, and knowledge to our customers in the best ways possible,” Campbell said.

Campbell concluded, “Whether through our plants, the knowledge we spread about them, the local consignors, purchasing products from as many small businesses as possible, the classes and events we have, or just offering a place to feel safe and relaxed, these are the many reasons I hope we can continue to grow and give back to those around us.”