Botany began in 2018 as an idea rooted in care—for plants, for place, and for the people who call South Bend home. Founded by Benjamin Futa and Paul Sexton, Botany grew from a shared belief in the power of plants to connect people and strengthen communities.

Although Benjamin and Paul were living in Madison, Wisconsin at the time, both were born and raised in South Bend, and returning home was always part of the vision. When the pandemic reshaped daily life in 2020, it brought that vision into focus—and revealed something missing. South Bend didn’t yet have a public, plant-centered gathering space to call its own. So they decided to help build one.

In early 2021, Botany took physical form with the opening of The Botany Shop, a local and independent plant shop that began as a pop-up inside Thyme of Grace. Soon after, Botany put down permanent roots in South Bend’s Near Northwest Neighborhood—a place shaped by creativity, care, and locally owned businesses.

As Botany grew, so did the neighborhood around us. In the years that followed, other local and independent shops opened nearby, forming a walkable community that now includes a women’s collective, coffee shop, yarn store, and bookstore. Together, these spaces have helped cultivate a neighborhood grounded in connection, creativity, and shared stewardship.

Today, in 2026, Botany is a plant shop, outdoor native plant nursery and retail space, and urban farm—each rooted in the same purpose. Every part of Botany stands on its own, but together they form a connected ecosystem focused on plants, people, and place. Whether you’re shopping for houseplants, sourcing native plants, learning where your food comes from, or simply spending time outdoors, Botany is designed to meet you where you are.

What began as an idea has grown into a place—and a community—shaped by those who show up, care deeply, and grow alongside us.

Whether you’re discovering Botany for the first time or returning to a familiar place, there’s space for you here.