Erica Ross, Tanya Ramseyer and Samantha Hagedorn are obsessed with plants. The trio call themselves the Botanical Babes, and they want to help you find the plant of your dreams.
“We’re marine biologists by day, and plant enthusiasts by weekend,” said Ramseyer. “Actually, all day,” she laughed.
Like so many others, the Babes recently discovered their love of tropical flora and have quickly ramped up their newfound passion.
“Quarantine definitely helped the obsession,” confessed Ross. “Once people get one or two plants and get the hang of it, they’re encouraged to see they won’t kill them. That’s when the obsession really gets going.”
The friends, all of whom are in their late twenties, realized that many of their fellow plant lovers from around the country don’t have easy access to rare and tropical plants.
“We’ve been lucky,” Ross said. “You can get a lot more rare, tropical plants here in Florida.”
The climate and light are ideal, and the Babes’ plants and propagations thrived.
Ramseyer added, “We just thought, ‘Maybe we can turn this into a business and help people find the one plant they’ve been really looking for.’ So, here we are!”
In May of this year, they started selling plants to locals in person and on Facebook as a fun hobby-turned-side-hustle. By July, Botanical Babes had five-star reviews, regular customers and a limited liability company filing.
“My house is a slowly-growing jungle,” Ransayer said. “My roommates will ask, ‘Where did this plant come from,’ and I’m like, ‘Shhh, shhh. Don’t worry about it!’”
As their plant knowledge and inventory grew, so too has their business savvy and innovative ways of serving their customers.
“As scientists, it was so exciting for us to see how it all works,” said Ramseyer.
They learned species names and care preferences, where to source super rare plants and how to propagate using water, moss, perlite and other tools of the trade.
“We’re learning as we go, totally. We’re getting to the point now where I feel like we have a lot of inventory, so we can be more ballsy with them,” said Ross.
Ramseyer said, “We’re still new, so we pass on as many tips and tricks as we can. Some who buy plants from us give us tips too! We’re all learning together.”
Philodendron melanochrysum — “Melano” — is the favorite of Erica Ross and Samantha Hagedorn. These plants grow leaves over 2 feet long in the wild! BOTANICAL BABES/Contributed 
These ladies are fuzzy beauties, but you better give them lots of humidity. BOTANICAL BABES/Contributed 
Handmade macrame hangers accompany beautiful, hanging plants. The Botanical Babes also make and sell the hangers. BOTANICAL BABES/Contributed 
Calathea Ornata (pin stripe plant). This is a “prayer plant” because it’s leaves track the sun throughout the day, and at night, the leaves close up into a “praying position.” Loves humidity. BOTANICAL BABES/Contributed 
Monstera Deliciousa (Swiss cheese plant) loves to climb! Prefers chunky soil and bright, indirect light. BOTANICAL BABES/Contributed
It’s an open, generous approach that sets their small shop apart.
“We’re easygoing,” Ramseyer said. “We have a tropical vibe because we’re down in the Florida Keys. I really like the customer service part of it and bonding with the people who have bought from us.”
A local customer bought her very first house plant from Botanical Babes and recently acquired her first rare plant from them as well, Hagedorn shared.
“She’s progressing through her plant addiction quickly,” Ross joked.
The Babes sell by posting pictures of their newest plant babies on Facebook and Instagram (@BotanicalBabesFL on both platforms) and holding online “plant purges.”
If customers have specific requests, the Babes keep a lookout and try to source them. If they have those plants themselves, they’ll try to propagate them. The goal is to get more plants to more people.
“Plants just make us so happy,” Ramseyer said. “Seeing how happy our plants make other people is one of the best feelings possible.”
