Meet Shana Sanders of A Pot To Plant In

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shana Sanders.

Hi Shana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As with so many stories about falling in love with plants, mine begins with my mom. I still remember her in her hot suit on the weekends, heading out to the front yard, where she’d tend to her rose garden. She was always completely dialed in, tending to the soil, focused in a way that felt almost meditative.

Most days, I’d be on the porch watching her, perfectly content in my own world. Our conversations weren’t necessarily about the garden, more often they were about whatever was on my mind that day (you know school, friends, life!) But even in the silence, I was studying her, soaking in every movement and every gesture toward those flowers. I didn’t realize it then, but I was learning what it meant to nurture something living. That’s also where my love of porches began a front-row seat to care, patience, and presence.

Years later, after moving to Atlanta, that same instinct resurfaced. I found myself buying fresh flowers; tulips are my favorite btw, weekly; from the grocery store, arranging them on the dining table as if to bring a bit of her spirit into my space. Lots of nostalgia.

About five years ago, when my husband and I bought our second home, we decided to start over completely fresh. His parents gifted us our first large houseplant, though sadly, it didn’t make it. Well actually, my husband has has managed to revived 1 stalk of it. I didn’t understand light levels back then. (Low light, and a lack of many windows can be brutal!) One night I saw a photo of a gorgeous Bird of Paradise thriving (under a plant grow light) in someone’s bedroom on Instagram, and I couldn’t help but ask how. That single message turned into a turning point. It pulled me deeper into the world of indoor plants, houseplant care, and design.

Owning a store had always lived somewhere in my mind, but it didn’t take shape until two of my biggest supporters, my husband and my closest friend, gave me the push to just start. After fifteen years in corporate life and a global pandemic that changed everything, I finally said yes!

So like that ‘A Pot to Plant In’ took root. Our Smyrna-based plant shop built to inspire others to slow down, connect with nature, and find beauty in growth. Every plant we nurture, every pot we style, carries that same spirit I first saw in my mom’s garden. You can feel it when you walk in, or when you visit us online; the pulse of calm, care, and creative energy that has guided me since the very beginning.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not exactly smooth but God is gracious and I have learned to allow things to unfold in their own time. Running a small business is beautiful, but it’s not without its tests. There are days when you feel on top of the world and others when you’re just hoping the numbers make sense at the end of the week. High inflation hits everyone, and you feel it quickly when you’re sourcing plants, pottery, and supplies. Foot traffic can shift with the seasons or even the weather. Then there are the times when shipments arrive late or wrong, or something unexpected breaks down in the shop and suddenly you’re adding “handyman” to your job title for the day.

Through it all, I try to remind myself that growth isn’t always comfortable, but it’s still progress. And every challenge teaches me a new level of patience and faith.

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?
At its heart, A Pot to Plant In is a neighborhood plant boutique rooted right here in Atlanta. We specialize in helping people create living spaces that feel personal and alive, whether that’s through the right houseplant, a custom potting service, or learning how to truly care for what you have. You can find plants anywhere these days, but what sets us apart is that we do what the big box stores can’t… We take time, and we care! We actually spend time getting to know our customers, helping them find plants that fit their light, lifestyle, and comfort level.

We like to say we meet plant parents where they are…

I think that’s our thing. Every part of what we do, from events and private classes to one-on-one consulting and space rentals, has a down-to-earth realness you can feel. Oh, and not that I think about it. I am super proud of our connection to and support of other creatives in the community. We have local art, local handmade candles and I love love our bookclub!

But, yeah, I dont know, in a phrase, I guess our brand is where connection meets cultivation. Like a reminder that growth, both in plants and people, takes time, care, and a little bit of light.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Yeah, sure… If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for taking an interest and the time [chuckle]. This whole journey has been such a mix of faith, curiosity, and a deep love for seeing things grow… …not just plants, but people too.

And… I guess I hope something I’ve said will prompt you to make it on over to see us. Even if you’re new to plants, or just curious, stop by. We always say, you don’t have to know everything you just have to start. Whether you leave with a new leafy friend, some fresh inspiration, or simply a lighter heart, you’ll always be welcome at A Pot to Plant In.

You can find us online at www.apottoplantin.com or right here in Smyrna, GA. Come see what we’ve got going on and maybe find a new piece of calm to take home with you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://apottoplantin.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apottoplantin/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopapottoplantin/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@APotToPlantIn

Image Credits
Nisha’s View https://www.instagram.com/fromnishasview/