Meet The Plant Gays—a queer-owned plant shop bringing more than just greenery to Columbus.
After getting their start in the Columbus’ East Market, owners David Erbe and Aidan Robinson have planted new roots in German Village with their second location, which opened this past September.
What began as a pandemic passion project has blossomed into a thriving space where plants and community grow side by side. Their new shop on Thurman Avenue, twice the size of their first, is packed with gorgeous plants, unique pots, fresh flowers and everything a plant parent could need —whether seasoned or a green newbie.
The Buckeye Flame spoke with The Plant Gays about their new location in German Village, the importance of creating a welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community and their tips for keeping your plants happy and healthy.
The Plant Gays started during COVID-19 lockdown as a fun side project. What was the “a-ha” moment when you realized this could turn into something more?
David: Yeah, during the pandemic, we just started sharing tips and tricks on Instagram, kind of like a fun side thing. We didn’t create it to be a business or a brand at first. But then I started hand-making concrete planters, and we sold them at pop-up markets. That’s when things started to take off and we launched our website.
Aidan: I think the “a-ha” moment came when we gained a good-sized following on Instagram pretty quickly. We realized we had something more than just a hobby, and our backgrounds definitely helped. David studied landscape architecture, so he already knew how to make molds for the planters. I’m an interior designer, so that helped shape the look and feel of everything, from the branding to the shop’s design.
Opening your second location in German Village is such a big milestone! What makes this new shop special to you, and how is it different from your first space at the East Market?
David: The new shop is over twice the size of our space at the East Market—it’s around 600 square feet. We have more control over the space since it’s a standalone storefront, which lets us offer new things, like a floral cooler for fresh flowers. We’ve also got more room to showcase products and host events, which we’re really excited about.
Aidan: And being in German Village is huge for us because it’s such a great neighborhood. We’ve already felt so much local support, and it’s been awesome meeting new people while still seeing familiar faces from the East Market. This location just feels like the perfect next step.
Columbus is a pretty gay-friendly city, but Ohio can still be challenging for LGBTQ+ visibility. As a queer-owned small business, how important is it for you to create a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ customers? What’s the response been like from both the local queer community and the broader Columbus area?
David: We definitely don’t take being an openly gay business lightly. It’s really rewarding to be that open in a public environment. We’ve had really positive support here in Columbus over the years, and we’ve also done things like donating proceeds to local organizations like Kaleidoscope Youth Center to give back to the community.
Aidan: Yeah, we want the shop to feel like an open space for anyone. I saw something recently that said only 5 percent of small business owners identify within the LGBTQ+ community, so being visible is important. We hope our presence helps lift others up, whether it’s local vendors or just people looking for a welcoming space.
You’ve done an incredible job building community, especially by partnering with LGBTQ+ and BIPOC-owned businesses and artists. What drives your commitment to uplifting local makers, and how do you choose which brands and artists to feature in your shop?
Aidan: Columbus is a very entrepreneurial city. It feels like everyone wants to support each other, not compete, and we love that. We carry a lot of local makers’ products in our shop, and we’re excited to feature even more now that we have the extra space.
David: Yeah, we’ve been there ourselves, selling our own handmade items at markets, so it’s important for us to provide space for other makers. As for how we choose, we’re not super picky—just as long as the products are plant-related or good gift ideas, they’re welcome. We do a rotating monthly feature, so there’s always something new in the shop.
You’ve talked about wanting to expand beyond plants with things like workshops and repotting services. What’s next for The Plant Gays, and how do you see these offerings strengthening your bond with the community?
David: We’re really excited about the extra space at our new location because it gives us the flexibility to offer more services. We’ve already started doing in-store repotting, and we’d love to offer workshops and even team-building events in the future.
Aidan: We’ve also been renting plants out for events—like we did recently for the Columbus Crew stadium. It’s fun to explore new ways to get involved with the community, and now that we’ve got more space, we can take on more projects like that.
I have to ask, for all aspiring plant parents out there, what are three essential tips everyone needs to know to keep their plants happy and healthy—especially those with, let’s say, a less-than-perfect track record?
David: The first thing I’d say is: don’t overwater! It’s one of the biggest mistakes new plant parents make. Plants don’t like sitting in water, so keep an eye on that.
Aidan: Definitely. Also, make sure you’re picking the right plant for your space. Some people gravitate toward plants that need a lot of bright, indirect light, but their room is more of a low-light situation. We always try to help customers find the right match.
David: Also make sure your planter has good drainage. It’s crucial for keeping plants healthy and preventing overwatering. Oh, and a bonus tip: use leaf shine! One comment we get a lot is people say how healthy and shiny our plants look. We use a leaf shine on all of them—it helps keep them clean and prevents dust buildup. 🔥
IGNITE ACTION
- For more information, head to The Plant Gays’ official website.
- Stay up to date with all things The Plant Gays via their Instagram or Facebook page.
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