Remember when everyone and their Instagram-obsessed cousin was turning their home into a mini-jungle during the pandemic? Well, those days are officially over.

The once-booming plant store scene in San Francisco is wilting faster than an unwatered succulent. Local plant shops that once had lines stretching around the block are now struggling to keep their roots planted in the retail landscape.

The Great Plant Panic Is Over

After a wild ride of plant purchasing during COVID lockdowns, customers have ghosted their botanical besties. Flora Grubb Gardens, a local plant mecca, saw sales “fall off a cliff” as soon as people started returning to offices and planning travel. The national trend confirms this green exodus: U.S. spending on flowers, seeds, and plants has stagnated for the first time in over a decade.

Casualties of the Plant Apocalypse

The casualties are real. Multiple beloved plant stores have shut down, including The Sill, Little Trees, Plant Therapy, and Succulence. Some shop owners, like David Gray from Hortica, blame the rise of online plant sellers who stole business from traditional nurseries.

A Glimmer of Hope

But not all hope is lost. Entrepreneurs like Jeannie Psomas of The Plant Lady SF remain optimistic. She believes potential economic uncertainty might actually drive people back to home improvement and plant purchasing. Plus, with housing development potentially on the horizon, there might just be new soil for plant businesses to grow.

The message is clear: Plants aren’t selling themselves anymore. Looks like our collective green thumb is taking a much-needed nap.