Today we’d like to introduce you to Jocelyn Ho.
Hi Jocelyn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I moved to Detroit in 2019 for my husband’s job and was stuck waiting on my green card, which meant I legally couldn’t work. Before that, I was a speech-language pathologist working with young children with special needs. The week I finally got my green card in March 2020, the world shut down. Schools and hospitals weren’t hiring, and I had to pivot fast.
At the same time, I had a serious plant collection taking over our apartment. My husband joked that we had too many plants and couldn’t even see out the windows anymore. I told him they weren’t just plants, they were investments. To prove it, I listed a few on Facebook Marketplace. I sold two plants in one weekend and made $1,000.
That was the start of Rare Plant Fairy. What began as a side hustle quickly turned into a full-time business as demand exploded during the pandemic. Today, we’re a Detroit-based rare plant company with a commercial nursery, an in-house tissue culture lab, and a team of 25. We ship nationwide, grow a large portion of our inventory ourselves, and focus on quality, transparency, and building real community around plant collecting.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all. I started the business during a global pandemic, in a new country, without a professional network, and completely bootstrapped. Early on, I was doing everything myself, growing, packing, customer service, and learning e commerce in real time.
As we scaled, the challenges shifted. Shipping live plants year round, especially in extreme weather, forced us to build better systems and make decisions that sometimes hurt margins but protected quality. Hiring and leading a fast growing team was another learning curve. Going from a solo founder to managing 25 people required me to develop as a leader just as quickly as the business was growing.
We also chose to invest early in things most small businesses avoid, like employee benefits, renewable energy, and an in house tissue culture lab, which added complexity and cost before there was immediate payoff. None of it was easy, but each challenge pushed us to build a stronger, more resilient company.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been intentional.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Rare Plant Fairy is a Detroit based rare plant company that grows and sells extraordinary tropical plants directly to consumers across the U.S. We specialize in hard to find and unusual varieties, with a strong focus on quality, ethical sourcing, and plants that are grown to thrive in real homes, not just look good for a photo.
What sets us apart is that we grow a large portion of our inventory ourselves. We operate a commercial nursery and an in house tissue culture lab, which allows us to propagate rare plants responsibly, reduce reliance on overseas imports, and have better control over plant health and consistency. That level of vertical integration is uncommon in our space.
We are also known for setting higher standards around customer experience. From complimentary weather checks and protective packaging to clear communication and education, we prioritize long term plant success over short term sales. We built a real community around plant collecting through daily livestreams and ongoing education, not just transactions.
Brand wise, I am most proud that we have grown completely bootstrapped while staying aligned with our values. We offer employee benefits, operate on renewable energy, and invest in systems that support sustainability and people, even when it is harder. I want readers to know that Rare Plant Fairy is not just about rare plants. It is about doing things thoughtfully, raising the bar in our industry, and bringing joy indoors through plants that are grown and cared for the right way.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The plant industry is going to look very different in the next five to ten years. There was a major houseplant boom about three years ago, driven largely by the pandemic, and that surge has started to stabilize. What we are seeing now is a more informed and intentional customer, which is healthy for the industry long term.
The biggest shift ahead will be toward sustainability, transparency, and education. Consumers are asking where plants come from, how they are grown, and whether they are being sourced responsibly.
I also see a strong move toward domestic growing and propagation. Rising shipping costs, climate volatility, and supply chain instability will make heavy reliance on overseas imports less viable. Tissue culture and in house propagation will become essential for consistency, conservation, and long term supply.
E commerce and live selling will continue to evolve. Shoppers want connection, trust, and guidance, not just a product page. Brands that invest in community, education, and real human interaction will stand out.
Overall, the industry is maturing. There will be fewer fast growth brands chasing volume and more businesses focused on longevity, quality, and operational discipline.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rareplantfairy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rareplantfairy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rareplantfairy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RarePlantFairy
