Why We Decided to Launch a Marketplace App for Plants
The story behind Tuki and our mission to transform plant trading
We're plant people. Indoors, outdoors, balcony pots or jungle bathrooms — we love them all. But there's one thing we kept running into: plants are expensive.
The Problem We Noticed
Back when we lived in a London flat with a small balcony, we spent hundreds trying to green it up. And when we moved to a place with a garden? Hundreds more. We searched high and low for more affordable options — Facebook groups, Marketplace, Gumtree — but the experience was always clunky. You'd message a seller and the plant would already be gone. Or you'd arrange a pickup, only to be ghosted. Paying in cash felt awkward. Ordering online meant you had no idea what the plant would actually look like.
And when it came to selling our own plants — same story. We listed across multiple platforms and got overwhelmed with time-wasters and lowball offers. Yet, out of everything we sold during our move, it was the plants that disappeared first.
That's when the idea started to grow.
What if there was a dedicated space for plant lovers? A proper plant marketplace — mobile-friendly, easy to use, safe, and filled with listings for real plants in your local area. That seed of an idea became Tuki.
Why Plants? Why Now?
Any good business starts with one question: is there really a need for this?
Turns out, yes. A big one.
We saw it first-hand with how quickly our own plants sold. But the broader trend was even clearer: plant love is booming. During the pandemic, people turned inward — making homes more peaceful, green, and life-filled. Plants became a coping mechanism, a passion, a joy.
And it wasn't just older generations. Millennials and Gen Z have become the new wave of plant parents — especially in cities, where nature feels further away. What once felt like a quiet hobby has grown into a full-blown lifestyle.
So no, it wasn't just us. It was a whole movement — one we wanted to support and be part of.
Our Mission
We believe nature shouldn't be a luxury.
At Tuki, our mission is simple: to make it easier for more people to bring nature into their lives. We want to help people find beautiful, healthy plants at fair prices — and give pre-loved plants a second life.
Because when you've got greenery around you, your air is cleaner, your mind is calmer, and life just feels a little better.
What Makes Tuki Different
It's all about making plant trading easier, safer, and just more enjoyable.
- • See what's nearby: Instantly browse plants being sold in your area.
- • Quick and easy offers: Buy or make an offer in just a few taps.
- • Real plants from real people: No more mystery parcels or half-dead deliveries.
And when it comes to value? Tuki gives you more plant for your pound. Instead of a sad stem in a box from a warehouse, you'll find healthy, established plants that have been looked after — often for less money.
It's good for buyers. It's good for sellers. And it's good for plants.
What's Next
Right now, we're focused on building the app and growing our waitlist. Once we're live, we'll connect plant lovers in their local communities and see where it takes us.
Everything we've learned so far tells us Tuki is needed. But we're not assuming — we're building, listening, and adapting with every step.
If you're with us, we'd love to have you on this journey.