Sandra Mejia grew up in South Central LA, raised by Salvadoran parents, and spent her childhood helping her mom choose flowers and plants for the church where her father was a pastor.

Her mom, who grew up in tropical El Salvador, filled their home with plants, much like many immigrants who recreate a piece of home in their new city.

That love of plants, passed down from mother to daughter, is where The Plant Chica begins

The Original Plant Chica

Planted In Love. Grown In Community.

After about ten years as a medical assistant at UCLA, Sandra started The Plant Chica as a side project in 2018, growing plants in the family’s at-home greenhouse.

Her long shifts kept her away from her young son, Alem, so she began selling plants at farmers’ markets and on street corners to be home with him more. Every plant sold was a small step toward building a business that put family first.

Our New Home

After three years in Jefferson Park, the shop lost its space, and the family launched a GoFundMe with a bigger dream: to one day buy land and make room for other Black and brown-owned businesses being pushed out.

Leaders at the Community Land Trust read about the shop’s displacement and invited Sandra to open in Leimert Park Village, where a ribbon-cutting celebrated the new greenhouse in October 2024.

In The Village

Sandra Mejia may be known as The Plant Chica, but her shop is much more than just her – it’s a family-run business that has grown with the help of her loved ones, a dedicated team, and the incredible community they serve.

Sandra didn’t have many plant resources in her neighborhood growing up, so she built the space she wished she’d had. Her Adopt-

A-Plant events give plants away to neighbors, once reaching roughly 1,500 per time slot, and a recent giveaway grew to 2,000 plants to help people who’ve never had a plant at home get started

Building The Dream

The Plant Chica is a family-owned plant shop and community greenhouse at 4311 Degnan Blvd. in Leimert Park, with a selection of rare houseplants and classics.

Visitors can join workshops, plant swaps, and community events, and customers receive a free house plant on their birthday. With more than 50,000 followers online, the greenhouse keeps growing right alongside the community it serves.

A Shop Built for Community , By the Community

The Plant Chica isn't just a shop, it's a gathering place. We host and participate in community events, pop-ups, workshops, and plant swaps throughout the year. Follow us on social to stay in the loop.

We believe in growing together. The Plant Chica proudly collaborates with local artists, businesses, and organizations across South Central and Leimert Park to create spaces, experiences, and opportunities that serve our community.

Meet the People Behind the Plants

Alem Adis

Sandra Mejia

Bantalem Adis

TRU

The Adopt-A-Plant Chica Movement

Plant Chica is a one of a kind epicenter of plants, community care and wellness. At Plant Chica we share a special connection to plants. Plant Chica was founded in 2016 by Sandra Mejia.