Plantiness founder Monica Aragon continues her mission of spreading kindness, creativity and connection through plants
Six years ago, Monica Aragon was stocking shelves at King Soopers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, witnessing firsthand the stress, fear, isolation and uncertainty many people in her community were experiencing.
At the same time, she was navigating grief after losing her father following a long battle with brain cancer. During that difficult period, plants became a source of comfort and healing, helping her find moments of peace while reminding her to care for herself.
Inspired by the happiness plants brought to her own life, Aragon had a simple idea: if plants could help her, maybe they could help someone else too.
After a shift at work June 12, 2020, she purchased 42 small succulents, gathered two friends and spent the evening creating handmade cards filled with encouraging messages and doodles.
Over the following days, they left the plants and cards in parks and along trails throughout Northern Colorado for strangers to discover.
The response was immediate. People began sharing photos online and describing how the unexpected gifts had brightened their day during an incredibly challenging time. What started as a simple act of kindness quickly grew into something much larger.
Today, that effort has become Plantiness, a Fort Collins-based community initiative that has gifted 5,812 plants across 26 states and 14 countries while bringing people together through plants, creativity and community.
“Plantiness is the happiness plants give you,” says Aragon. “What began as giving away a few plants has become a way to bring people together through creativity, kindness and community. Every act of kindness has the potential to create a ripple effect.”
Today, Plantiness hosts plant-potting parties, corporate team-building events, workshops, popups, community gatherings, plant giveaways and its popular Plantiness Tattoo Parties, which combine plants, creativity and self-expression through collaborations with local tattoo artists. Participants choose a houseplant, decorate a terracotta pot using a variety of art supplies and leave with a personalized creation of their own.
The events are designed to encourage creativity, connection, stress relief and community engagement. Plantiness has become especially popular for team-building programs, employee appreciation events, wellness initiatives and community celebrations throughout Northern Colorado.
What makes the experience unique is its mission-driven foundation. Most of the plants gifted through Plantiness are propagated and grown by Aragon herself, while generous community members have donated plants and cuttings throughout the years to help expand the mission.
Every event helps support future plant giveaways, creating opportunities to spread kindness and connection even further.
Since its founding, Plantiness has grown almost entirely through word of mouth and community support. Fully self-funded and built without investors, Plantiness has expanded through the support of event attendees, community partners, volunteers and plant lovers who believe in its mission of spreading light and love through plants, creativity and community.
Now, after six years of operating as a fully mobile business, Plantiness has reached another major milestone: a permanent home inside Pine and Co. in Old Town Fort Collins.
The opportunity came unexpectedly when Pine and Co. owners Katie Briggs and Emily Moore met Aragon at a local event while preparing to open their new vendor boutique. Having followed Plantiness for years and envisioning plants as part of the shop’s identity, they approached Aragon about becoming part of the space.
“It felt like complete kismet,” says Aragon. “Katie and Emily shared their dream of creating a shop filled with artists, makers and small businesses, and they wanted plants to be part of that vision. They asked if Plantiness needed a place to call home, and my answer was an immediate yes.”
For Aragon, the opportunity represented something she had never imagined possible. Operating as a vendor within Pine and Co. provides a permanent home for Plantiness while allowing the organization to remain mobile and continue serving communities throughout Colorado.
The new location allows visitors to shop Plantiness plants year-round while serving as a home base for workshops, community events and creative collaborations. Visitors can explore a unique collection of local artists, makers, vintage goods, home decor, handmade products and plants all under one roof. Despite establishing a permanent location, Plantiness remains committed to bringing events, workshops, pop-ups and plant experiences directly to workplaces, festivals, breweries, nonprofits and communities across the region.
As Plantiness looks toward the future, Aragon’s vision extends far beyond a single storefront. Her long-term goals include gifting at least 12,000 plants, reaching every U.S. state and additional countries around the world, creating educational programs that teach children about plants and community connection and establishing a greenhouse and dedicated workspace that allows Plantiness to continue growing.
Aragon also hopes to create well-paying jobs, expand to additional permanent locations and build partnerships with sponsors, donors and community organizations that share Plantiness’ mission of spreading kindness through creativity and plants.
“What started with 42 succulents and a few handwritten cards has become something far bigger than I ever imagined,” says Aragon. “We’re proving that small acts of kindness can create lasting impact, and I believe we’re only getting started.”
For more information about Plantiness parties, workshops, private events, sponsorship opportunities or upcoming community programs, visit Plantiness on Instagram at @planti.ness, on Facebook at Plantiness Parties or visit Pine and Co. at 222 Pine St. in Old Town Fort Collins.
