Moving Diaries Part One: GrowTropicals V3.0 Begins
What began as a small bedroom project back in 2019 has blossomed into something far bigger than we ever imagined, right alongside an incredible and ever-growing houseplant community.
Our first big milestone came in 2021, when we evolved from The Aroid Studio into GrowTropicals and moved into our very first HQ in Leeds. Just a year later, in 2022, we welcomed House of Kojo into the family — two plant brands, one shared vision, and one roof (for a little while, at least!).
Fast forward to 2025, and we’ve outgrown that roof once again. So here we are, ready for our next big adventure, or as we’ve been calling it: GrowTropicals V3.0. Our boldest chapter yet, taking root in a brand-new city.
A New Home in York
Months of planning, building, and just a few electrical hiccups later, our new home in Upper Helmsley is finally taking shape. The site holds a rich history as it was previously occupied by nursery wholesalers Richmond & Bailey, and we’re proud to continue that horticultural legacy.
Of course, no move comes without its challenges! Our first surprise was an electrical distribution pole planted exactly where our new office was supposed to go. After a few calls (and a visit from the National Grid), it was successfully relocated, clearing the way for construction to begin.
Building the Warehouse
September 2025 marked a major milestone as our new warehouse began to rise. This purpose-built structure is designed with an inflatable roof to offer brilliant light transmission and thermal insulation.
This is where we’ll be storing our plants for now, along with substrates and other goods, to fulfil all your orders. We can’t wait to show you the finished build in all its glory soon!
Preserving a Piece of History
Our marketing, business, and website teams will be settling into a dedicated office space that was once an orangery, a beautiful nod to the site’s horticultural past. Inside, we discovered a little treasure of our own: a 50+ year-old grape vine! We’ve taken great care to preserve it, and we’re already imagining summers spent working under its leafy canopy (and hopefully enjoying plenty of grapes in years to come!).
Moving the Collection
Every houseplant owner knows the stress of moving a collection, and we had a lot of plants to move! Transitioning from Leeds to York was no small task, but true to form, our plants proved resilient. Our amazing team ensured each one was carefully transported and quickly settled into replicated growing conditions at the new site.
Both our private collection and listed plants will all have a new home here with plenty of room to grow.
What’s Next?
This is just Part One of our Moving Diaries. We’ll be sharing plenty more updates as our new HQ comes to life, as we grow the collection, grow the team and complete the finishing touches on our glasshouses.
Stay tuned for more updates!