Missoula’s newest houseplant store is now open

A new plant store has opened on Missoula’s south side

Vine Plants and Design isn’t hard to find, but the front door doesn’t face the street. Look for the sandwich panel and then look for the signpost at the back of the building.

Once inside, you’ll be met with elegant interiors, airy lighting and lush plants that not only cover the surfaces but also hang in squares and rectangles on the walls.

Ryan Tripepi, the owner, was inspired by longstanding passions and interests when founding the store.

“My Parents both have a horticultural background. My father was a professor of horticulture almost 40 So years before I retired, I grew up with plants. It was an interest that continued throughout my life. But as my passions changed over the years Plants were the right thing Thing that was that was consistent and I’ve always been interested in design.”

Tripepi spent part of his college career studying architecture. “So how I was somehow looking for a next step this was a great opportunity bringing these two passions together.

The twin passions of plants and design influenced his approach to his business. He says he will focus on both Design and install, Maintenance living walls and other types of architectural plantings, and operate a plant retail store.

He says retail will focus on houseplants such as tropical plants, soon including cacti and succulents, but also products needed for plant care such as planters, pots, stands and grow lights.

What is a living wall?

A living wall is A vertical plant display system that allows the display of many plants without taking up a lot of space.

“We will offer residential wall maintenance and for larger projects we would like to be involved in maintenance We can guarantee that the installation not “The condition worsens over time,” Tripepi said.

Having this amount of plants in a commercial or residential space could also have additional benefits, according to Tripepi.

“There have been a number of studies and more coming out recently that indicate the presence of green spaces Workplaces in particular increase productivity and creativity. It’s easier to get distracted in alternating currentold and hostile environment. Therefore, there are a number of studies that suggest human health benefits that such installations bring to your rooms. And when you think about it, it makes sense. It’s probably not like I’m adding plantsThis is an advantage in itself, but rather the fact that we are removed from nature – from the environment that gives us the feeling of control and resourcesThe systems available to us that make life possible are likely to increase the stress in our lives. So returning to this more natural environment essentially calms the mind.

And of course there are air quality benefits too. Having one or two plants in your space probably won’t make a noticeable difference, but when you start talking about these large-scale systems with hundreds of plants, they have real filtering power to remove toxins from the air.”

The future of the company

As the company grows, Tripepi hopes to expand regionally, offering residential wall installation and maintenance in western Montana and Idaho, as well as building architectural fountains and other plant-based features.

The other hope is to make the store a community space.

““The tables back there will be for workshops,” he says, nodding toward the back of the store. “SSome of these will be educational workshops. Some of these will be more craft-oriented. AI’m also going to add a wall of succulents at the back of the room. And so any time– yYou don’t have to wait for a workshop – there is an opportunity to take advantage of it tables. IIt will be a succulent bar, so you can choose your bowl and your succulents, sit at the tables and put them together as a centerpiece or just a beautiful decorative piece for your home as a gift.”

There may also be collaborations in the future. “We have such great small businesses in this city. I hope to host events with other small businesses,” Tripepi said.

Vine Plants + Design is open Wednesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Take a look inside this green shop.