Plant lover creates tropical jungle inside a new shop

Nathan Clays has turned his passion for unusual foliage into a flourishing business.

The 28-year-old launched his new company, Greens Houseplants, during lockdown last October and has been delighted to watch it grow.

Selling top quality house plants and garden accessories has proved so popular,Nathan has just opened a new shop in Cuddington and offers a free delivery service across Mid Cheshire.

Nathan has created a tropical jungle inside a greenhouse to showcase a selection of rare and unusual house plants

Nathan has created a tropical jungle inside a greenhouse to showcase a selection of rare and unusual house plants

"I've always loved plants" said Nathan, from Hartford. "I'm a huge fan of all things variegated. I've collected house plants for a long time. There was nothing round here that specialised solely in plants. "I get rare and unusual plants from the Philippines and also import plants from Holland."

To showcase some of the more exotic species, Nathan has built a greenhouse inside the Norley Road shop.

Customers are offered advice on how to nurture plants when they take them home

Customers are offered advice on how to nurture plants when they take them home

"It's like a tropical jungle," he said. "It's a little bit of theatre. I'm hunting around to find different suppliers and more variegation to add to the collection.

"I hope to travel over and meet the growers when it is possible. I'm very excited to spend a week over there and learn about how they grow things."

Nathan believes house plants can improve your mental health and wellbeing.

A selection of plant and garden accessories are available

A selection of plant and garden accessories are available

"Plants help you to relax and make you happy," he said. "They are nice to look out and they purify the air. I always make sure that people know how to look after plants before they leave the shop and reassure them I'm here if they need any further help."

Nathan's favourite plants include Monstera, the Swiss cheese plant, Syngonium, native to tropical rain forests, peace lilies and prayer plants.

Unusual species such as Philodendron melanochrysum and different varieties of Alocasia are also among his stock.

Nathan eventually plans to combine his speciality coffee business, Little Espresso Company, with his plants.

"I converted a couple of vintage caravans and used to go to music festivals and events. I'm hoping to merge the two, take on bigger premises and open a jungle cafe in the future.

"This is only the beginning."