If, sometime in the last year, you passed by what looked to be an interesting space on Union in the mid-20s but didn’t stop, Jay Longtin thanks you. You see, the lack of traffic through the Central District incarnation of his stylish and well-done plant shop, Envy, gave him the impetus to move to a more retail-oriented, foot traffic-heavy ’hood, and he ended up on 15th off Madison Ave between Anchovies and Olives and Healo. Talk about home sweet home.

I stopped in yesterday and knew, immediately, that there was no chance of getting out of there without something of my own to grow and take care of. The open, lofty space is filled with really happy green things, and talking with Jay makes it easy to figure out which ones would work well in your plant-free nooks and crannies.

As it turns out, Jay was doing remodels and related work when things started getting a little dicey for homeowners and related tradesfolk. He looked around his plant-filled home and knew he had some great resources, and a valuable talent and passion. Envy was born.

I decided on an Alocasia because I like greenery that’s also purple-y and somehow baroque, gothic, or just plain odd. This thing’s leaves look like Dracula collars as inspired by elephant ears. I’m looking at it right now as I type, and I’m in love.

And how charming is this: As soon as I settled it in my car and glanced at my phone, I saw an email from Jay; attached was a receipt and care instructions. He had my email address because I had left him by business card, but he always offers to email his clients this same information if they chose to share their contact info.

Last night, for First Thursday, Envy hosted an opening for Matthew Olds, whose large-scale paintings help give the space a chic and artful vibe. There’s a really cool, man-n-nature thing (as opposed to man v. nature) going on at Envy right now; this would be a good weekend to check it out.

And while you’re there, you might check out the aforementioned Healo, the vegan + raw-angled smoothie/supplements live-forever boutique, too. Four words for you: Chocolate hemp ice cream.

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For more on the city’s most diggable plants, go here