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 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!” They recently 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.
Christine, Shop Manager
An artist and plant nerd with a culinary background. Her love of outdoor gardening turned into a passion for indoor houseplants and she's been collecting ever since. Getting to watch the evolution of growth through propagation is the best thing about collecting plants.
Isabella, Assistant Manager
An artist and thespian by trade who finds herself unable to stop picking up new hobbies and plants. She is a mother to her rescue dog, Rocky, and around 80 house plants she doesn’t remember ever purchasing, including some Hoyas she allegedly doesn’t like.
Hannah, Supervisor
Her artistic background has translated into her love for merchandising and retail, which she has worked for the past ten years. If Hannah's not in the shop you can find her outside on a hike or taking care of her ever growing plant collection.
Mariah, Shopkeeper
A journalist by trade from NYU, Mariah has been dubbed the Calathea Queen in the shop. Her green thumb flexes with her ability to care for the prayer plant family. If you see her in the shop, most likely she's singing along nonstop to the current station.
Emily, Shopkeeper
A transplant from Raleigh, Emily comes from the world of digital marketing. She started her plant parent journey in 2016 with a lonely Fiddle Leaf Fig and now has over 30 plants at home. She is mom to Huck, a shepherd/border collie rescue, and enjoys hiking, reading, and searching New England for the best burrito.