Vendor Spotlight: Eden Anthea Horticulture

What started with a single gifted houseplant has blossomed into a growing local business rooted in passion, patience, and a love of helping others succeed with plants. 

Sadie Maltezo is the founder and owner of Eden Anthea Horticulture, a St.Thomas based plant nursery that specializes in healthy, home-grown houseplants. Although this is Sadie’s first year in business, her journey with plants began nearly four years ago after receiving a houseplant as a gift following a move in 2022. “I had houseplants in the past unsuccessfully,” Sadie shared. “This plant I just kept alive, and my collection just kept growing from there.” 

Curious to learn more, Sadie taught herself about plant propagation, soil composition, lighting, and plant care. Through trial, research, and hands-on experience with her growing collection, she developed the skills and confidence to begin propagating plants with the goal of sharing them with others. By the end of 2025, she launched her social media and spent the winter months preparing her plants to be sold this spring.

As a single mother, flexibility was a major factor in choosing entrepreneurship. When her son started school, Sadie saw an opportunity to turn her hobby into something more. “I wanted to have my own business and allow myself the flexibility to be as involved as I can be in his life.” ​

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Today, every plant sold through Eden Anthea Horticulture begins as a propagation from Sadie’s personal collection. Each plant is carefully grown and planted in a custom soil mix tailored to its specific needs. “A lot of plants from big box stores are not sold in the soil they need to thrive and survive,” she explains. That attention to detail is one of the things that sets Eden Anthea Horticulture apart. Making sure plants are in the right soil, the proper pots, and they stay healthy as they grow.

​Sadie takes pride in providing healthy plants that are grown in home environments and properly matched with the soil and containers they need to flourish. Looking ahead, Sadie plans to transition to clear pots whenever possible, allowing plant owners to easily monitor root growth and soil conditions while supporting her reduce-reuse-recycle mindset. Beyond selling plants, Sadie hopes to build a supportive community of plant lovers through social media and eventually expand into plant consulting and interiorscaping services.

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Like many small business owners, one of Sadie’s biggest challenges is turnover time. Some propagations are ready in just a month, while others may take six months or even a year before they’re ready in a new home. Still, she remains committed to the process and proud of how far she’s come. “What keeps me motivated is that this started as a hobby for me,” Sadie explains, “I have a passion for it, and I also want to provide for my son.” 

As a lifelong St. Thomas resident and longtime Horton Farmers’ Market shopper, Sadie understands the value in supporting local businesses and artisans. “I love the atmosphere and people coming together. You know you’re supporting the artist.” She’s proud to say she devoted herself to her idea for a new business and the strength it took to get to where she is today. Her advice for aspiring small business owners is to take action - put your ideas into motion, write things down, and communicate with loved ones in your life.

Sadie’s message for aspiring plant parents is simple: don’t let past failures discourage you. “We all start somewhere, and people can successfully be plant parents even if they haven’t been in the past.” 

You can find Eden Anthea Horticulture at Horton Farmers’ Market and on social media @EdenAntheaHorticulture. Whether you’re an experienced plant collector or just beginning your plant-parent journey, Sadie is ready to help you find the perfect addition to your space. 

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Kate Hanslip, Summer Marketing Assistant ​

Kate is a recent social sciences graduate from Western University and currently a marketing student at Fanshawe College. Having grown up in St. Thomas, she brings a love of history and storytelling to her work where she enjoys highlighting the people, businesses, and stories that shape the community. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, exploring local trails, and experimenting in the kitchen.