Meet the Makers: Plant Maniax
As you walk into Grenwich Market’s western entrance, there’s a good chance you’ll do so between two stalls of gorgeous greenery. These are the pride and joy of Yenis Llopiz and Andrew Policella, the gregarious, hard-working couple behind Plant Maniax.
This is a stall run both by and for plant maniacs. It overflows with healthy indoor succulents, home-decorated pots and hand-made wooden planter stands. Yenis and Andrea tend their wares with love – growing the plants off site (including some in their home in nearby Deptford) then designing stands, hangers, pots and more to complement them.
Having initially met in Miami, then grown their business during the pandemic, they’ve quickly become one of Greenwich Market’s most eye-catching and beloved traders. You’ll see other stallholders drop by with coffee and pastries to keep the energetic, bubbly Yenis fuelled for her morning’s work, while Andrea is just as popular, when he’s not offsite building their wares by hand.
Living locally, Yenis and Andrea fell in love with Greenwich Market as shoppers, coming here to soak up its huge variety of products, drink and food, and to enjoy the warm, ‘family’ atmosphere amongst its traders. Naturally, they were delighted when the chance to establish Plant Maniax permanently cropped up.
It’s testament to Plant Maniax’s vision and skill that their most popular items are the entire three-piece sets: plant, hand-painted pot and hand-crafted wooden stands or hangers. Yeniz’s enthusiasm for their creations shines through in the care with which she sets out her stall – a work of art in itself.
Plant Maniax has been a true Greenwich Market success story, and a fantastic addition to the wealth of traders this one-of-a-kind market offers.