Negelected and thriving: How Peninah carved a niche with hardly plants

However, her love for plants began in Meru, where she spent time in her grandmother's garden, learning to nurture and appreciate nature.

Those early lessons took root, and during the stillness of the pandemic, they blossomed.

“I have been collecting plants for a long time. It's a hobby I picked up from my grandmother. We have a huge piece of land in Meru, where she would plant flowers. People would complain that she should plant fruit trees for her grandchildren instead,” says Peninah.

What started as quiet moments of pruning and repotting eventually transformed into something much greater. By the end of that year, Peninah had turned her passion into a thriving business—one that continues to flourish.

Today, she is the proud founder of Malaika Green Thumb, an indoor potted plant business that caters for busy urban plant lovers seeking the calm and beauty of greenery without the stress of constant maintenance.

Her plant selection is particularly suited to working professionals, first-time plant owners, and small businesses looking to breathe life into their spaces.

“Not everyone has time for high-maintenance plants,” she says. “I focus on varieties that thrive despite neglect and still look beautiful.”

Starting with just three potted succulents and a watering can, she now runs a business from a 40-by-100-foot greenhouse in Rongai, Kajiado, which she rents.

Inside the heated greenhouse, hundreds of lush, low-maintenance plants bask in filtered light on neatly arranged wooden shelves. The glossy leaves of pothos, which are renowned for their air-purifying properties and trailing vines, spill gracefully over the edges of their pots.

Snake plants, with their sword-like leaves, stand tall and clean indoor air while requiring minimal care. Peace lilies bloom with creamy white spathes softening corners and absorbing household toxins. In the corner, a monstera deliciosa commands attention with its iconic split leaves and tropical charm.

All of her plants are hardy and thrive on what she describes as 'benevolent neglect'. In fact, many flourish when left alone. "The more you ignore them," she says with a smile, "the more they show off their true beauty."

Her prices are competitive, ranging from Sh300 to Sh1,500. Statement plants, such as fiddle leaf figs with their broad, leathery leaves or towering monsteras showcased in handwoven baskets, can cost up to Sh5,000.

She sells her flowers wholesale and adds that in a good month, she can generate up to Sh300,000 in sales.

"With landscaping contracts, you can earn up to Sh60,000 per day," she says.

Her biggest clients come from Eldoret, Mombasa, Nakuru, Nairobi and Kajiado. For Peninah, it's not just about selling plants, but also helping people to build lasting relationships with nature.

“Sometimes, I can’t bring myself to sell a plant,” she admits with a smile. "You get attached. They become part of your space, your story.”
Peninah never intended to become a businesswoman. A trained tour operator, she previously ran a travel company until the pandemic forced her to change direction.

She started sharing photos of her plant collection online and, when people began asking to buy them, Malaika Green Thumb was born in early August 2020. Initially operating from her home, the business eventually expanded to the greenhouse.

The transition wasn’t instant or easy. It required more than a passion for plants: learning, experimenting and adapting were also necessary. She grew alongside her business, from choosing the right plants to building a brand on social media.

Her breakthrough came when she realised that plants could be tailored to fit lifestyle needs, particularly for customers who wanted beauty without the burden of care. This helped her carve a niche among urban clients who lacked the time for high-maintenance plants.

She recalls setting up lucky bamboo and succulents for Kenya Airways offices in Embakasi, describing this as her greatest breakthrough.

Peninah discovered that marketing was just as important as watering plants. “You can’t just sit around expecting sales,” she says. “You must show people what you have, engage them, and be consistent.”

She uses Instagram highlights to showcase her plant varieties and increase visibility. This online presence became a lifeline, especially when physical markets were challenging during the pandemic.

She believes that anyone can start a thriving plant business, even on a tight budget.

Her advice? Start small. Collect fast-growing, easy-care plants and start with a few pots, perhaps propagating from what you already have. Focus on learning how to care for each plant, how to repot and display them attractively.

“If you dive in without knowledge or a market, you’ll burn out. These are living things —you have to grow with them,” she says.

Common mistakes made by beginners include overwatering.

“People often kill plants with too much love. I teach customers to exercise restraint and to check the moisture level of the soil.”

Another common mistake is poor pricing. “Consider your rent, transport costs, potting mix and time. Don’t underprice in an attempt to compete; you will burn out,” she advises.

Social media is a powerful tool for beginners. Peninah encourages aspiring plant sellers to document their journey by posting updates, answering questions and interacting with other plant enthusiasts. Even a simple phone camera can help you to build a brand.

However, she acknowledges that security, weather and theft are real concerns, so it is essential to scale up thoughtfully.

Peninah has big dreams. She sees Malaika Green Thumb expanding into wholesale production with different types of plants organised into dedicated zones—one for snake plants, another for bromeliads and another for pothos.

She hopes to tap into regional markets in East Africa by exporting acclimatised plants to Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.

“Why are we importing plants from Europe that don’t thrive here?” she asks. “When we could be exporting plants adapted to our own climate?”

She also plans to increase operations on her family’s land in Isiolo, which has a natural spring and warm weather —ideal for the hardy plants she specialises in. There, she envisages establishing a large-scale production hub to supply not just Kenya, but the entire region.

→owoko@ke.nationmedia.com