Meet Caitie Otto | Owner, The Wicked Plant Co

We had the good fortune of connecting with Caitie Otto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caitie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always dreamed of working for myself, and after 15 years of dealing with tough management and feeling stuck, I finally decided it was time for a change. During COVID, I started selling plants online from my greenhouse at home—houseplants were having a moment, and it gave me a sense of freedom I hadn’t felt in years. Then, I kept noticing this old vacant building near my house, and one day a “For Rent” sign went up. That was my moment. After talking things through with my husband, I decided to take the leap. A few months later, we were cutting the ribbon on our own little shop. It was scary, but it was also exciting—and I haven’t looked back since!

What should our readers know about your business?
I really think we are setting a new standard for plant stores and nurseries. The individual care each plant receives while in our care is something that sets us apart from every other plant store or garden center I’ve ever been to. We propagate many plants in-house, and for those we order, we carefully inspect, repot, and upgrade the soil to ensure they’re healthy before selling. We’re also big on educating our customers; providing plant care tips, scientific names, and habitat info, so they are fully prepared to care for their new plants at home! If something goes wrong at home, our customers know they can come in any time for help getting back on track. We also specialize in really unique varities of plants that won’t be found at big box stores or larger garden centers. We have a slight obsession with tropical aroids of all kinds!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d kick things off with pizza at Abo’s Grill—it’s amazing! Then, we’d head across the street to Blue Fish to check out some incredible coral up close. One day would definitely be spent exploring the Metroparks, hiking, or just soaking in nature. In the evening, we’d grab a spot at Edgewater Park to catch one of those breathtaking Lake Erie sunsets. We could mix in some local coffee shops, maybe a brewery or two, and just enjoy the area’s natural beauty and laid-back vibe.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to give a huge shout-out to my husband. He’s been unbelievably supportive, even when we don’t always see things eye-to-eye. He works full-time and still took on most of the responsibilities at home, just so I could be completely focused on making this dream come true. I honestly couldn’t have done it without him.

Website: https://www.thewickedplantco.com

Instagram: https://Instagram.com/thewickedplantco

Image Credits
Credit: The Wicked Plant Co