Mother Co., Plants is the go-to store for Minnesota plant enthusiasts, but for fans of the store living in St. Paul, a 20-minute hike to Minneapolis makes the store inaccessible. However, in mid-November, a sister store opened. Tucked away on Selby and Dale’s corner at 162 Dale Street N., St. Paul, it brings a desert oasis to the snowy streets of St. Paul.

With the pandemic opening opportunities for new hobbies, many people are hooked on growing plants. Some small shops sold plants around the neighborhood, but there was a gap in the market for the most part. Beautiful, interesting, and rare plants are hard to find, but that’s where Mother Co., Plants comes in. Mother Co., Plants provides a sophisticated shop filled with gorgeous ceramic pots, well-designed merchandise, healthy and rare plants, and an instagramable atmosphere.

Mother Co., Plants feels like a southwestern desert. The walls are bathed in golden sunlight, gigantic cactuses, large plants, and desert tones. With the freezing winters in Minnesota, the store provides just a brief moment of warmth.

The plants in the store range from common Fiddle Leaf Figs to the rare Philodendron Birkin. Just like varying plants, there are varying prices. On the lower end, tiny plants can be just $16, but some plants can be up to hundreds of dollars. It makes sense that rare plants would cost lots of money, but $20 is very overpriced for a small plant. Common varieties of Monsteras and Philodendrons are just a few dollars at a local hardware store. The price of the plants also does not take into account the price of the pot. By combining both a plant and a pot, prices can be about $10 or more than at Menards.

The prices at Mother Co., Plants can be justified. A lovely couple whose intent is to supply the Twin Cities with interesting plants in a beautiful way, run the store. Paying a little more for a plant than at Menards or Home Depot, a small business is able to stay open. There are also ways to find cheaper plants at the store. Some plants aren’t potted yet; that way it’s cheaper. The store also has free clippings that can grow into a whole plant for free.

Rating: ★★★★

The prices are too much for some plants, and while some plants are worth it, there are still cheaper alternatives.

Locations:

Minneapolis – 2400 N. 2nd Street

Saint Paul – 162 N. Dale Street