Skip the 1-800 and Shop Local

For the Brown Thumb

Time can get the best of even a most productive green thumb, but it’s also possible for someone to just suck at taking care of plants, but still love them. 

For the mom who kills every plant she owns, try 224 Creations knitted plants. 224 Creations is another organization inside Northside Marketplace that was created by small business owner and creative, Jenni Morrison,  to support veterans and their handmade artistic work. There are multiple plants featured in knitted style such as succulents, cacti, and jade plants. Each handmade plant is between $15-20 depending on the size of the work. 

If your mother is in denial of her plant killing tendencies, be sure to grab a couple 224 Creations plant markers for the plants beyond saving. The plant markers have fun sayings such as “Keanu Leaves,” “oops,” “I tried,” and “probably dead,” in a variety of colors.

Build a Bouquet

Many moms love to receive flowers for Mother’s Day, but not necessarily a bouquet of roses. For the moms who love unique flower displays, try creating a personalized bouquet from Leaf. Leaf is a plant shop with a glass ceiling, artistic greenery displays, plant accessories, smaller gift items, flowers, and a wide variety of house and outdoor plants. 

“I love the ginormous fig tree in the middle of the shop and the music! I always feel like I’m entering a mystical greenhouse when I visit this place,” Leaf customer Cynthia Miller said.

 Bouquet prices at Leaf vary due to creative liberty of the team and what is available. If a bouquet doesn’t fit your mother’s interest, sign up for a bonsai or kokedama class. 

“I love the classes we offer here,” said Leaf manager Matthew Moore. We have some great things coming up, so stay tuned. Classes start at $70, and dates of classes are posted on Leaf’s Instagram: @leaf_homeandblooms.

Leaf is located on 449 West Market St. Akron OH, 44303 with a parking lot directly beside the building on both sides. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6:27 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Tea is a Plant!

For ultimate plant mothers, being immersed in greenery is more than a hobby-it’s a lifestyle. Visit Liquid Lab in the Northside District for flavorful loose tea that can keep your plant mom company as she tends to her collection of greenery. Compared to tea bags, which contain ground tea leaves or a finely condensed powder, loose leaf tea is made of whole tea leaves.

 This creates a more aromatic, flavorful, and rich taste for the drink. Liquid Lab sells a variety of loose tea: black, green, oolong, pu-erh, white, and herbal. All tea prices are charged by the ounce and range from $3 to $16 depending on the type of tea desired.

To make the perfect cup of loose-leaf tea, all you need is your loose-leaf mix of choice, a tea infuser to hold the leaves, and warm water. Although tea bags are often used for their convenience, a serving of loose-leaf tea is able to be re-steeped multiple times, so it is a more cost-effective way of drinking your favorite flavors. Animal-themed tea diffusers are also available for purchase to go with your cup of comfort. 

“My favorite tea diffuser Liquid Labs has is the axolotl! I love how the animals hold onto the side of a cup. They’re little friends to keep your tea company,” loose tea-lover Lydia Corrine, said.

Liquid Lab is located inside of Northside Marketplace with Lepley & Co. and 224 Creations at 21 Furnace St. Its hours are: closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

You Know What Else is a Plant?

Looking for a different kind of green? For the plant mom that needs a break visit, The Botanist, a cannabis dispensary for medical and non-medical patients.

 All shoppers must be 21 or older to enter and purchase products. Products available include buds, edibles, tinctures, concentrates, or topicals all containing 24% to 30% THC. Only cash payments are accepted, but ATMs are available inside the store.

 “The botanist is by far my favorite store in the area. They carry a great variety of products, and it’s a very welcoming environment. Everyone that works there is super friendly and personable. I love when Syd cashes out my order. She’s super fun and gives great recommendations,” said Megan Bushcko in an online review of the shop.

 The Botanist is located on 46 S Summit St. Akron OH, 44308 and is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Parking is available on 43 S Broadway St. Akron, OH.

Mother’s Day shopping doesn’t have to be a last-minute to-do, but if it is, shopping locally can be the quickest way to bring mom the plant-y gift of her dreams. Consider what downtown Akron has to offer for this upcoming Mother’s Day. Bring mom along or adventure by yourself to these five different plant mom destinations for unique gifts that will grow, soothe, and support alongside your love for the mom in your life.