The businesses of Bayside have a beautiful way of sprouting from the most unexpected seeds, and Duncan from @plantrunnertruck is a story that began with a road trip, a converted horse float, and a simple observation that people don’t just want plants — they want to know how to keep them alive. Seven years on, what started at local markets has grown into a thriving e-commerce brand built on real horticultural knowledge, strong community values, and a genuine passion for helping things grow.
How long have you been in business?
7 years.
What inspired you to start?
I was working for my friend Dom in his horticulture business when a trip to the US sparked an idea—a van converted into a plant shop. We started with a truck and converted horse float, taking it to markets. People loved it, but wanted to learn how to care for plants. That’s how our brand was born—an e-commerce store for indoor plant care products. Dom later moved on to focus on his growing horticulture business, and Jimmy (an ex-accountant) came on board as my business partner.
What’s your magic that sets you apart from others?
We were one of the first in this space, with strong branding and products that look great alongside plants. As a horticulturalist, I bring real plant knowledge, offering quality care products with education behind them. We’re now expanding into specialised fertilisers, potting mixes, and soon—outdoor plant care. Watch this space!
What does community mean to you?
We recently rebranded around our 4 key values: Community, Quality, Customer, and Planet. So community is super important to us. We want to be more than a brand—our goal is to help customers learn, share knowledge, and grow together..
What does community mean to you?
It’s about showing up for people when it matters. For us that means creating a service people can trust and offering support during big transitions. We take pride in doing right by our customers and being a local business that Melbourne, and particularly Bayside can trust.
Shout outs:
@dominic_hooghuis | @ottimocoffee | @franksmelbourne | @thefitshop
And lastly, if your business was a cocktail, what would it be?
A Negroni – straight forward and classy!
Let’s support local! If you love businesses like @plantrunnertruck, give them a follow and spread the word!