New botanical outlet Secret Garden caters to boom in rare collector plants

A specialist new botanical shop focusing on rare and collectable shade plants has opened at an out-of-the-way corner of the Cairns CBD after outgrowing its former home.

A SPECIALIST new botanical shop focusing on rare and collectable shade plants called the Secret Jungle has opened at an out-of-the-way corner of the Cairns CBD.

An oasis of green complemented by artwork and a chill space featuring an art deco-style sofa welcomed plant lovers for the first time on Tuesday in the heart of town.

Business owner Jenna Minchin first started selling hard-to-find tropical plants from a shop in the original Kuranda Markets before quickly outgrowing the space.

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The move to the bigger shop is aimed at tapping a huge demand for the more unusual and interesting tropical shade species.

“I launched a website last year and had just been waiting for the right shop before making the move from Kuranda,” she said.

“There definitely was (a boom) during the peak of Covid, people wanted to find a new way to make their space liveable.

“And (plants) are one of the best things you can do for your mental health and to make your house look nice immediately.

“And they are visually stunning and captivating to look at.”

Spiking popularity and demand has meant some plants command four figure sums online that’s led to a global plant poaching problem.

Ms Minchin said most plants sold from her shop are propagated and grown to size locally and others are sourced through Far North-based suppliers.

“Personally we grow as much as we can, this is the biggest space we have ever had I have community contacts and local growers which helps,” she said.

“I always have stuff on the go and the climate here is so good, things just want to grow.”

The Secret Jungle currently stocks philodendrons, anthuriums, warocqueanum hybrids and the sought-after variegated monsteria.

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“I have set the shop up with a table in the (middle) called the collectors table and prices can range from $40 to $400,” she said.

“But most are around the $25-30 mark.”

Also an artist and jewellery maker Ms Minchin has used the shop as an exhibition space where she features her artworks, including a series of pieces depicting endemic Far North butterfly species.

From March the Secret Jungle will host poetry readings, pot painting workshops and traditional English style tea.

“Which I am really looking forward to,” she said.

The Secret Jungle is located in The Walk alley at 4/82 Lake St.

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Originally published as New botanical outlet Secret Garden caters to boom in rare collector plants