A Shop with a Plan(t)
by Fox Rhodvin
Green vines web the walls as they twist and thrash their way towards the suns beams bursting through the large window in the front. A simple plant shop stuffed with hundreds of different species of Earth’s most precious inhabitant. The air is crisp and crunchy, an extreme change from the muggy and dismal outside. Faces peak through the leaves and soft mutters of excitement roll
over the tiny soil mounds.
Art Terrarium is a locally owned plant shop and potting bar, striving to create a community that is centered around bringing plants and people together. The owners that run this shop are very active within their customer base and are full of knowledge. They help everyone find their perfect houseplant and even assist with potting it in store. Every plant is different, and the employees make sure that when a new friend is made, proper care and maintenance instructions follow. In addition to their urban jungle, Art Terrarium also features local art and custom pots.
Located on 11th and cherry street, you will find Art Terrarium in the eleven cherry building. A red cursive sign marks the building, which is shared with the eleven cherry salon. Three large windows allow for easy access to see the man made forrest that spreads across the floors. Off to the side is a long industrial metal table, with bins of charcoal, soil, pebbles, and clusters of pigmy plants crawling all over one another. You can find the workers getting down and dirty with their customers as they assist in the potting process and list out the reasoning as each ingredient is mixed in. The store owner Andrea Metzler, roams around engaging with customers and tending to her hundreds of plant children.
With new workshops offered at various days each month, education and an active community is what drives the heart and soul of the shop. These workshops present customers exciting opportunities to learn about unfamiliar plant species and active creativity. From building your own planter, to plant parties, there is no limit to what Art Terrarium offers.
Starting out as a pop up shop, Art Terrarium laid its roots down in the well known location back in 2017. With an idea of getting those who don’t feel comfortable or think they’re not qualified for plants, the confidence to care for one, Art Terrarium came to life. They came across a motto of “air for your lungs and a feast for your eyes”, which drives them forward and continues to
keep them popular in the downtown Des Moines community. In addition to potting parties and workshops, you can also bring in your own pot to plant your new accessory in, and they will help you do it! The plant prices range from simple air plants around $8, to giant palms which can be as much as $150. Art Terrarium also does many plant stylings and decorating for local shops such as, The Cheese Bar, Gastro Grub & Pub, and the Living Yoga Studio. It also offers its venue up for many local photographers to do shoots in.
After the shops permanent placement, the owners Andrea Metzler and Shylah Kay continue to find new ways to bring excitement to downtown and keep themselves updated on all things green. They are finding ways to bring light into a dull environmental climate that we are in. Metzler hopes that people come in as excited as she is and loves seeing everyone enjoy the natural world as much as she does. It is always a great idea to fill your life and lungs with some happiness, and there is no better way than at Des Moines very own urban jungle, Art Terrarium.
Art Terrarium hours:
Sunday, 12pm — 4pm
Monday — Thursday, 10am — 6pm
Friday + Saturday, 10 am — 5pm
Location:
106 11th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone (515) 282–8325
artterrarium.com
