The Plant Society

The Plant Society’s Sydney store is by Jason Chongue and his partner Nathan Smith of The Plant Society, based in Melbourne. It’s in a terrace house on Paddington’s boutique-lined William Street. Like in Melbourne you can visit to buy plants grown by local or Melbourne growers, get advice on why your peace lily’s leaf tips are turning brown (it’s either too much or too little water) or pick up homewares and pots.

There’s also a two-room bed and breakfast upstairs.

During the day, the shop staff doubles as concierge to B&B guests, and at night guests have the run of the space upstairs and downstairs. Unsurprisingly the bedrooms are lush with greenery as well as products from the shop and pieces by Melbourne and Sydney artists.

Chongue is an architect and interior designer, but the business is a natural fit for his passion for plants. As someone who’s gardened his whole life and whose own home has hundreds of plants, Chongue believes the appeal of gardening is in its connection to something simple and rewarding – part of a return to making and growing and creating.