HELLO! IT'S LUIS & RALPH HERE!
Bark & Vine started as an Instagram page in 2017 by Luis and Ralph to share their gardening experiences as new plant parents and homeowners. They wanted their adventure to be a journal for all who constantly say “I can't keep a plant alive” to remind them that green thumbs are earned, not gifted.
With their 14-year old dog Coco playing and barking while they were in the garden gave them the idea for the name, Bark & Vine. Their new home quickly filled with houseplants as they naturally brought their passion and knowledge of outdoor gardening indoors. “Barks and vines? It must be home!” In 2022 they adopted a new dog named Moss. He has definitely joined Coco with the loud barks in the garden and unfortunately enjoys munching on their houseplants.
Fast forward to a few years later, Ralph & Luis found themselves at home during the pandemic. Their free time during quarantine was spent in the garden learning how to grow all different types of plants and vegetables while cultivating their passion for gardening. One evening, Luis proposed the idea to Ralph about opening a plant shop. With Ralph’s background in retail and design and Luis’ handy work and entrepreneurial mindset became the perfect pairing that jump started Bark & Vine from the pages of Instagram to a full pledged plant business in a matter of months.
The business opened up as an online shop during the height of the pandemic in August 2020 and later moved to a brick and mortar space in New Haven, CT in February 2021. Bark & Vine quickly became a destination spot for plant lovers where they can find easy-care plants to start their plant journey all the way to more unique and uncommon plants for the plant collectors near and far.
Just as the vine grasp the bark of the tree in order to grow, houseplants rely on us to thrive in our indoor jungle.
In memoriam: Our beautiful, sweet boy Moss, passed away on January 20th, 2025 from end-stage renal disease. He left a mark full of love and joyful memories to last a lifetime at just 3 years old. We will miss him forever, our sweet Monster!
Olivia, Shop Manager (She/They)
A transplant of Boston and a recent graduate of Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Olivia is a full time artist concentrating in paper making and illustration. Check out their work over at Eyes in Equinox.
Erin, Shift Lead (She/Her)
When Erin is not slinging plants at Bark & Vine you can find her at home with her two cats Harley & Bagheera and her growing collection of plants & crystals. She loves old movies, ballet, and painting.
Jack, Shopkeeper (He/They)
Jack, a Connecticut native back from his studies in Philosophy at Boston College, is a writer & composer who loves hiking, retro gaming, and pop music! His favorite plant is the Vriesea because of its striking color.
Jacob, Shopkeeper (He/Him)
Jacob is an aspiring artist who loves the world of fantasy and getting lost in a book. Usually, when he's not reading, you can find him playing games or tending to the various amount of vining plants he has collected over the years including the Pearls & Jade Pothos, The Red Arrow Plant, and the Tradescantia 'Nanouk' - his favorite plant due to the colorations.
Andrew, Intern (He/They)
Andrew is born and raised in Trumbull, CT and loves everything plants, pins, video games, and jewelry. They have two beautiful cats named Cocoa & Molly. Their favorite plant is anything fuzzy like Kalanchoe 'Panda.'
WANT TO JOIN OUR TEAM?
We are always accepting inquiries. If you're interested in joining our jungle, click HERE for information on how to submit a JobReel