Daddy’s Plants / Photo x Christopher Lestak
If you’re like most of us, you have a void in your life that must be filled – but with what?
A dog? Too high maintenance. A cat? Not affectionate enough. A plant? Yes, if you take care of it, a plant will always be there for you.
A plant will not shit on your floor or scratch up your couch. It doesn’t go berserk when a stranger walks past the house, knock stuff off your shelves when it’s hungry or zig-zag through your legs while you walk. No, a plant just sits there and looks pretty, if you take care of it.
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Daddy’s Plants / Photo x Christopher Lestak
Daddy’s Plants / Photo x Christopher Lestak
Daddy’s Plants / Photo x Christopher Lestak
Daddy’s Plants / Photo x Christopher Lestak
For those looking to become a new plant parent, Daddy’s Plants on Niagara Street in Buffalo should be a first stop. Plants do need love and care, and if you don’t have much of a green thumb, you need help. Thankfully, Daddy’s Plants has experience with people like you.
Co-owner Billy Sandora-Nastyn recently told us that people get really into being plant parents for many different reasons.
“They’re living things, and people can really get into them,” he said. “There are people who are into plants and biology, where they actually want to study the plants. Some people come in for that purpose, and some people come in because they have a corner they want to fill, and we try to find the best option that’s going to do well and survive in that spot.
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“Every home is a little bit different,” Sandora-Nastyn added, “and we try to recommend for a customer’s space. If they have photos, we try to see where things can be the healthiest. It really is dependent on the home.”
Daddy’s Plants / Photo x Christopher Lestak
Daddy’s Plants / Photo x Christopher Lestak
Daddy’s Plants / Photo x Christopher Lestak
Of course, you may not have a brown thumb. Maybe you do have some plant parenting skills and that’s cool too. Sandora-Nastyn told us his store has a range of plants for many different abilities and price points.
“For instance, the fiddle leaf fig tree is something that people really want, but maybe they don’t have the light to support it and they will easily die and drop their leaves,” he said. “It’s a plant that’s an investment and a bit at the higher price point. So, we try to make sure that people who purchase the plant actually have a spot where it can do well and survive.
“We really want to make sure that we have points anyone can afford. Many different kinds of people can come in here and walk out with something. There are tiers based on care needs, what kind of window is might sit in or certain budgets.”
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Daddy’s Plants / Photo x Christopher Lestak
Daddy’s Plants / Photo x Christopher Lestak
Daddy’s Plants / Photo x Christopher Lestak
Daddy’s Plants / Photo x Christopher Lestak
Like most retail stores these days, Daddy’s Plants does more than just sling product. They also hold classes and events designed to educate and build a community. Sandora-Nastyn said they plan on holding occasional classes, book readings and collaborative events.
“Buffalo is such a big gardening community, for outdoor gardening, and a lot of people do move their plants in for the winter,” he noted. “There’s a whole community that already exists here. We’re just trying to create a platform and a space where they not only buy plants, but they might also take a class where they bring in an expert. We’re trying to grow with the community. It’s a slow pace but we’re learning from our customers.”
Daddy’s Plants
1250 Niagara St Suite B, Buffalo, NY 14213
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
