Living Roots Plant Nursery

Living Roots is a social enterprise located in Claremont, Cape Town, focused on fostering community resilience and environmental sustainability through its Indigenous Nursery and related services. The nursery specializes in providing indigenous and water-wise plants, particularly suited to the local climate. By engaging with Living Roots, customers not only have the opportunity to beautify their gardens but also support a significant social cause—helping individuals on their journey out of homelessness via the U-turn program. A key feature of Living Roots is its integration of community and skills development into its business model. The nursery employs participants from the U-turn program, offering them vital opportunities to learn skills in horticulture and plant propagation. This initiative directly contributes to improved employment stability, sobriety, and housing for its clients. Through its operations, Living Roots embodies a commitment to social change, channeling all profits into initiatives aimed at tackling homelessness. The nursery also conducts various educational workshops and consultations focused on water-wise gardening. These programs are designed for businesses, eco-clubs, and community groups, promoting sustainable gardening practices while fostering teamwork and engagement with nature. Alongside its retail offerings, the nursery encourages visitors to make donations, including gardening tools and supplies, reinforcing a sense of community involvement. In addition to its core services, Living Roots features a wide variety of plants, such as the Agapanthus, known for its striking blue and white blooms. These hardy plants are celebrated for their resilience, ability to thrive in full sun, and low maintenance requirements, making them a popular choice among gardeners. The nursery aims to inspire sustainable landscaping through the sale of indigenous flora that is well-adapted to the local conditions, thus promoting biodiversity. Overall, Living Roots stands as a unique establishment that marries environmental stewardship with social enterprise, allowing patrons to cultivate their gardens while contributing to a greater societal impact.