About Us

Hi, I'm Nikki

I started Root & Reach Botanicals because I got tired of choosing between beautiful plants and keeping my home truly safe. Now I help pet-loving families create the green, joyful spaces they deserve without the worry.

From Farm Kid to Pet-Safe Plant Specialist

Nikki, founder and pet-safe plant specialist at Root & Reach Botanicals

Hi, I'm Nikki, founder of Root & Reach Botanicals and your go-to pet-safe plant specialist. Here's the thing about me: I've always been that person who couldn't be pulled away from nature. Growing up on a farm in rural Pennsylvania, I had acres and acres of forest and fields to explore. As a kid, my parents practically had to drag me inside for dinner because I was too busy examining every flower, chasing butterflies, and getting completely lost in the woods and meadows that surrounded our home.

We had this amazing garden filled with vegetables, fruit trees, and berry bushes everywhere. I'd spend hours there, watching things grow, learning what made each plant thrive. Even back then, I noticed something important: being around plants made me feel genuinely happy. More energized. More alive.

Fast forward to adulthood, and that love never went away. If anything, it got stronger. I became really intentional about what I brought into my life. Chemical-free skincare. Non-toxic cleaning products. Organic food. I wanted my home to be a place that supported my health, not silently worked against it.

So naturally, when I started looking for ASPCA-verified houseplants safe for pets, I assumed it would be simple. I mean, plants are natural, right?

Wrong.

The research process was absolutely exhausting. I'd find a gorgeous plant, get excited, then spend 45 minutes digging through contradictory information trying to figure out if it was safe for cats and dogs. One website would say it's fine, another would list it as toxic. The ASPCA database would say one thing, botanical guides would say another.

"I realized I was spending more time researching plant safety than actually enjoying my plants. That's when I knew something had to change."

And here's what really got me: even the few companies that had pet-safe or non-toxic sections treated them like afterthoughts. A tiny corner of their website. Limited selection. Nothing special.

Nobody was actually specializing in pet-safe houseplants. Nobody was making it their mission to help families like mine bring nature into their homes safely without hours of research.

I kept thinking: if I'm struggling with this, and I've been obsessed with plants my entire life, what about everyone else? How many people are just avoiding houseplants altogether because the research is too overwhelming? How many are unknowingly bringing dangerous plants home to curious cats or adventurous dogs?

And that question changed everything. Because I couldn't unsee the problem anymore.

Still That Nature-Obsessed Kid at Heart

These days, I'm lucky enough to live in the Pacific Northwest. If you know anything about this place, you know it's an absolute paradise for someone like me.

When I'm not curating ASPCA-verified plants for Root & Reach, I'm hiking. Constantly. The trails here are endless, and I'm always chasing that same feeling I had as a kid: that rush of energy and joy that only comes from being completely immersed in nature.

That deep connection to the natural world drives everything I do with this business. It's why I care so deeply about helping you bring that same feeling into your home, safely and beautifully.

Nikki hiking in the Pacific Northwest mountains
Nikki exploring the Oregon Coast trails

What Root & Reach Botanicals Is Really About

I created Root & Reach to solve the exact frustration I experienced. The hours of contradictory research. The stress of double-checking every plant against ASPCA databases. The disappointment of finding the perfect plant only to discover it's toxic to pets.

I wanted to create what I wish had existed when I was searching: America's only plant retailer specializing exclusively in ASPCA-verified pet-safe houseplants. A place where every single plant has already been thoroughly researched and cross-referenced for safety. Where you never have to choose between beauty and peace of mind.

Here's what makes us different: we don't just have a pet-safe section tucked away somewhere. This is our entire focus. Every plant we carry has been verified non-toxic to cats and dogs through multiple authoritative sources. We work directly with premium greenhouses to source healthy, gorgeous plants that happen to be completely safe for your whole family.

When you shop with Root & Reach Botanicals, the research is done. The guesswork is gone. You can focus on what actually matters: bringing that mood-boosting, life-enhancing energy of nature into your home and actually enjoying it with complete confidence.

The Promises I Make to Every Customer

Your Family's Safety Is Non-Negotiable

Every single plant is ASPCA-verified and cross-referenced through multiple trusted sources. I do the exhaustive research so you never have to wonder or worry about pet safety.

Safe Doesn't Mean Settling

You deserve plants that are both gorgeous and verified non-toxic. I only source from growers I trust, and I'm picky about the quality that goes out my door.

Straight Talk, No Confusion

I give you clear, honest information about every plant. No fine print. No contradictions. Just the facts you need to feel confident bringing plants home to your pets.

Let's Bring Nature Into Your Home the Safe Way

You don't have to choose between a beautiful, plant-filled home and your family's safety. I've done all the hard work researching and verifying every plant so you can skip straight to the joy. Browse our collection of ASPCA-verified pet-safe plants with complete confidence.

Shop Safe, Beautiful Plants