Having trouble keeping your plants alive? A new Kansas City store plans to help

Roots KC started as a tropical plant pop-up shop during the pandemic — setting up at events, and visiting offices and apartment buildings to sell its goods.

“It was a good way to get out and meet the community. And when they come to a pop-up they are there to buy a plant,” said Dee Ferguson, owner with her husband, Chad. The Roots KC name is a play on her maiden name of Oots.

She’ll still be doing the pop-ups at Bella Patina in the West Bottoms and at Bar K dog park, but soon she’ll have her first brick-and-mortar space for a “customizable” tropical plant store.

Roots KC is scheduled to open July 15 at 818 W. 17th St. in the West Side. Ferguson and her employees plan to set their customers up for success.

“We found what was missing was the educational component. They were having trouble keeping their plants alive,” she said. “Matching people with the best plant for their space and their lifestyle is our goal. Is it a good fit for their space, how do they take care of it, is it pet safe, is it good if they travel a lot?”

The retail shop will offer more varieties than the pop-ups, along with porcelain ceramic pots in a variety of colors, accessories and plant-themed merchandise including a local line of T-shirts and hats, potting soil, watering cans, jewelry, candles, and entryway and side tables that can hold plants under a glass top.

Every plant will come with instructions and a Roots KC contact for additional information or questions, along with a 30-day guarantee (for a store credit).

Customers who purchase one of the plants and porcelain pots can get it professionally potted at no charge, using Roots KC’s exclusive potting soil.

“So it takes a lot of the guesswork out. You can literally take it home and it is ready to enjoy,” she said.

The grand opening will be July 15 to 17 with a free succulent bowl with $100 purchases while supplies last. It also will have local makers and food including tacos from The Sugar Skull Grill on July 16 and Coffee Fresh AF on July 17.

Hours will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.

This story was originally published June 16, 2022 at 5:00 AM.