Becky Sulton’s plant designing journey starts with a new life.
After giving birth to her first son, Sulton wanted to stay at home, and she wanted something new to do.
Inspired by her mother and grandmother’s love and care for plants, she began propagating plants in her home, potting them and selling them at local pop-up shops in Lake Highlands and elsewhere in Dallas.
During her time at pop-up shops, Sulton began to see a common theme among her customers. Many wanted live plants in their homes and spaces, but they were unsure how to care for plants or what plant would be the best for them.
Sulton started d0ing in-home consultations. Her background in social work and her work in psychiatric hospitals for more than 10 years rolled over into her consultations at Plant Style. Sulton talks to potential clients about what style they’re looking for, what they need from the service, and she also asks about life situations.
“It’s kind of like my psychology background just with plants now,” Sulton says. “How can I help you, but with plants?”
Sulton began to work with local interior designers and real estate companies arranging plants for their open houses and clients. After that, her installations started to roll in.
That was the spark Sulton needed to create Plant Style.
Sulton worked from home for four years, and in July 2022, she opened a neighborhood store.
lant Style is a full-service interior plant styling company that provides customers with potted plants and arrangements along with educating clients about plant care, consultations, installations and plant maintenance.
Plant Style offers everything from hard-to-come-by to common.
For plant-care beginners, Becky recommends zamioculcas plants, sands of ares and monsteras. She also highly recommends succulents for beginners since those plants don’t need lots of watering.
“Everyone’s house has different humidity levels and light levels and all that,” Sulton says. “So just like for each individual plant, pay attention; look at them and figure out what it is that they need.”
As a small-business owner, Sulton understands the importance of depending on the community and other small businesses for support.
For example, White Rock Soap Gallery created a signature scent just for Plant Style to sell in candles, a body mist and oils.
Sulton also works with fellow small-business owner and mom Lauren Chism of Lauren Chism Fine Papers to create eye-catching cards that include catchy phrases such as “You don’t succ” and “what the f-ucculent.”
Sulton loves the support that she and other small businesses have received in Lake Highlands. All of the businesses support each other and are there for each other.
They have created their own community of business owners in Lake Highlands.
“No one really cares about going into the big box places,” Sulton says. “They want to stay in the community and support the community. I haven’t seen as much support as I do, than in this area.”
Becky takes pride in all of the installations and arrangements that she has made for her clients. There are no favorites. She makes sure that the arrangement is perfect for her client and home before she leaves the space.
“I’m very proud,” Sulton says. “I would never do anything or put something in someone’s house. That wasn’t, like, amazing.”
Sulton has big plans for Plant Style: Adding employees to the four she has, offering more and better products, and expanding her work benefiting the community.
“If it wasn’t for the Lake Highlands community and the support of the small business community, I wouldn’t be here,” Sulton says.
Plant Style is located at 10216 Northwest Highway.