Lifestyle & Sports
11 Jun 21

'Dubliners love to see the concrete jungle replaced with trees and flowers': Urban Plant Life's Sam Smyth on growing a green empire

Urban Plant Life has traded on Cork St, Dublin, for over 20 years - having been kickstarted by Sam Smyth ten years prior.

While the lack of open space in the city centre has been made even more stark by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and Government restrictions, one thing is clear: the desire of Dubliners to surround themselves with more greenery has only increased in recent years.

From the plant obsessions of millennials to the adoption of gardening as a lockdown leisure activity, the ability of flowers and trees to alter how we embrace our surroundings remains more potent as ever. Hot Press spoke to Sam Smyth, owner of Urban Plant Life, about the immense boom in business and the consistent popularity of Dublin's sole gardening centre.

Known for providing plants for corporations, movies, television shows, major events such as Bloom and Electric Picnic and even celebrity weddings; Urban Plant Life has powerful fans at its disposal.

The local company, founded by Sam Smyth 30 years ago, has now survived two recessions and one global pandemic - certainly something to brag about on their website. The horticulture business saw a loss in clients when offices and hotels were forced to close and events were cancelled, yet the online sales have skyrocketed and individual gardening habits have expanded exponentially.

At a loss for ways to occupy the mind and body, much of the general public have turned to tending to plants and flowers in their (extensive) spare time. The habit of growing fruit and vegetables has also become more valuable to Irish people, given the change in food consumption and environmental factors.

"People turn to flowers and plants because they think of the future," Sam tells Hot Press. "They love colour and growth and it raises the spirits. Exercise by watering and weeding is a gentle and satisfying thing to do, it's a great way to make use of your time."

Just like a slate of home-friendly hobbies like baking and knitting, gardening has seen an increase in popularity over the last year. One survey of consumers from Freedonia Group found that a quarter of respondents started gardening because of the pandemic. According to a survey from Axiom Marketing, half of participants who garden claim to do it as a reason to get outside and relieve stress. Some started their gardens to have security in their own food supply.

"The plant business is the only one that I am interested in, as it makes people happy," Urban Plant Life's introverted owner adds, when asked if any other business ventures have crossed his mind. "My only goal is for the company to get even bigger, and supply more plants and flowers to sell."

"Our customers are very loyal," Sam says of Cork Street's plant lovers. "We are the only place in Dublin city where you can buy indoor plants and a large outdoor space for garden plants, compost and tools. We also have an online business and thousands of social media followers." (We highly recommend exploring their Instagram page, which has a photogenic black-and-white cat who makes cameo appearances in every post!).

"The city's natives and visitors love to see the concrete jungle replaced with trees and plants. Dublin City Council is doing a grand job, and has even asked us to work alongside them."

Sam has maintained Urban Plant Life's connections with numerous Dutch suppliers throughout the pandemic to avoid any issues with orders. His excitement to return to noteworthy events like festivals, brand launches and weddings is understandable, given the amazing opportunities he has cultivated for the business itself.

"We supplied plants for Paul McCartney’s wedding, which didn’t turn out well (the marriage, not the job)," Sam jokes. He presumably has some interesting dinner-table stories from celebrity occasions.

"The wrap party for the Tom Cruise movie Far and Away was brilliant. We were also thrilled that Electric Picnic chose our premises three years in a row to have their launch party. Hopefully we can get back to that scale soon, but for now, Urban Plant Life's customers are happy to have us to themselves."

If you have any gardening queries or need advice on particular plants, email [email protected].

For more information and deliveries, visit plantlife.ie.