As cities continue searching for ways to become cleaner, greener, and healthier, one West Philadelphia business has been quietly doing that work for years. Plant and People, located in the historic Black Bottom neighborhood, has become much more than a place to buy houseplants. It has become a community space where wellness, education, history, and environmental justice come together.
On Eco WURD, co-founder Cherron Perry-Thomas shared how the business was built on generations of family traditions rooted in agriculture, herbal healing, and caring for the land. That connection continues today as Plant and People helps residents reconnect with nature in ways that support both physical and mental well being.
For many city residents, green spaces often feel distant or out of reach. Plant and People is changing that by creating a welcoming environment where people can learn about herbs, rooted history, discover natural wellness practices, and simply slow down from the pressures of everyday life.
That philosophy has become especially important as many Philadelphians continue dealing with stress, rising costs, and the daily challenges of urban life. Cherron says many visitors walk through the doors looking for plants but leave with something much deeper, including a renewed sense of peace and connection.
The business is also preserving the rich history of the Black Bottom community, a neighborhood that has long been home to Black families despite decades of displacement and urban renewal. Plant and People continues to celebrate that legacy while encouraging residents to invest in the future of their own neighborhoods.
Beyond the storefront, Cherron has brought greenery into some of Philadelphia’s biggest public events, including multiple years designing immersive plant installations for Roots Picnic. Her work demonstrates that sustainability can exist in entertainment spaces while replacing disposable decorations with living displays that continue growing long after an event ends.
She also believes local government has an opportunity to strengthen its environmental efforts by partnering with neighborhood leaders who have already earned the trust of residents. Rather than creating new initiatives from scratch, Cherron encourages city leaders to spend more time walking neighborhoods, talking with longtime residents, and recognizing the people who have quietly cared for their blocks for decades. Those everyday community leaders, she says, often understand local environmental challenges better than anyone.
The conversation also highlighted Plant and People’s investment in the Freedom Now Fest, an event celebrating the history, culture, and resilience of the West Philadelphia Black Bottom community while honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As Philadelphia continues conversations around environmental justice, neighborhood investment, and community health, Plant and People offers a reminder that meaningful change often begins at the local level. Sometimes building a greener city starts with something as simple as planting a seed, opening a door, and creating space for neighbors to heal together.