MARENGO, Ohio – Jared and Liz Hughes are no strangers to hustle and grind. As the co-owners of Groovy Plants Ranch, they are using their small footprint to make a big impact. Groovy Plants Ranch, a grower-retailer in Marengo, takes a unique approach to retail, marketing and plants.

The couple’s 30,988-square-foot facility turns out more than 600 varieties of plants, including succulents, perennials, houseplants, annuals, herbs and vegetables. The team of nine year-round employees pours its heart and soul into the crops to make this a destination for plant lovers and tourists alike.

“We’re a grower-retailer,” Liz said. “We grow plants and work the usual supply chains as well. We grow many things ourselves and order from outside the country. Those things outside the country seem to be more succulent.”

Jared and Liz receive flowers from South America, Africa and Italy, just to name a few.

The operation wasn’t always this large. In 2007, Jared founded The Groove Agave LLC, a small growing outfit focused on landscaping and container design.

“I started in the horticulture industry when I was 19. That was 2007,” Jared said. “At that time, I was working at Foertmeyer and Sons Greenhouses in Delaware, Ohio, as the retail manager. I was a freshman in college. Succulents back then weren’t nearly the craze they are now. I saw them as the perfect starting point with their low care and easy propagation. So, I started propagating succulents when I could, and my business just grew from there.”

Jared began small in a little greenhouse at his parent’s farm in Cardington, Ohio. He was selling plants at farmers markets and seeing the joy that succulent plants brought people. Being able to share this passion with others, he said, really fueled him and the growth of the business.

“Over time, my collection of different and unusual plants from around the world multiplied,” he said. “One crop paid for a greenhouse, that greenhouse paid for another, and so it went until 2015.”

He built his business while gaining his associate degree in landscape design and architecture from Columbus State Community College.

In 2015, he married Liz. She joined the business in 2016.

“Together we worked to expand, focusing on wholesale customers and always dreaming of a magical place full of plants and quirkiness. Our dreams became a reality when we suddenly had the chance to purchase The Ranch in Fargo, Ohio. The property was previously Fargo Herbs and had a beautiful old schoolhouse that we immediately fell in love with. It was definitely a long shot for us, freshly married and with a young business, but we went for it.

“When we first opened our doors, we dreamed of becoming a destination plant store, and thanks to the overwhelming support of the community we’ve blown away our expectations.”

The business was eventually moved from Cardington to Marengo. The 10-acre property was renamed Groovy Plants Ranch, which places a huge emphasis on unique and unusual plants.

Jared used his expanding growing capabilities and skills he’d learned as a retail manager, coupled with Liz’s master’s degree in fine arts, to turn Groovy Plants Ranch into the retail store and tourist mecca it is today. The business has been featured in various publications, including Better Homes and Gardens.

“During the pandemic, Americans turned to houseplants and gardening like never before, and luckily we were ready for the demand,” said Jared. They had expanded their online store in 2019 and added three greenhouses the year before.

A walk through their colorful plot will tell you they’re more than just growers. They’re creative artists as well.

“Jared has always been creative, very good at art,” Liz said. “I was an art teacher for 10 years, and obtained my masters in textiles. I guess we’re a dynamic team.”

Theirs is a peaceful setting, with benches, tables and servings of coffee. There’s even a children’s garden to entice the younger set. The couple offers tours to various groups.

Stroll through their menagerie of plants and you’ll spot a small airplane adorned with exotic plants, a Volkswagen Beetle loaded with layers or rich soil and bright, beautiful flowers. There’s even a small shop on their property with the aroma of sweet incense and a pot-your-own station that reminds you of Woodstock and bell bottoms.

Visitors have a huge assortment of herbs, succulents, cacti, spring annuals, perennials, pumpkins, tropical, garden veggies, fall plants, pottery and more to see.

“We also offer amazing plant workshops and educational parties that cater to both experienced enthusiasts and beginners,” Jared said. “We promise, you’ll have a great time crafting and learning all about plants.”

Chances are, whatever you are looking for, the Hughes are going to have it. Groovy Plants Ranch carries thousands of rare and unusual houseplants as well as an extensive mix of unique garden plants and ships them to all 50 states.

“We just have this huge emphasis on unique and unusual plants,” Jared said. “We carry all the favorites too, so we have something for everybody. I think what makes us different is if you come here, you’re going to see a lot of the cool plants. It’s not just one or two. There’s a lot of them.”

Jared and Liz are Morrow County Farm Bureau members.

“Most of Ohio greenhouses are under the ag umbrella,” Liz said. “We are very proudly part of the farming community in Morrow County. Morrow is a huge agriculture community. Sometimes people don’t think of flowers and plants as part of ag, but we value being part of the ag community. We enjoy working with the community and farm agencies.”

Groovy Plants Ranch is off I-71, just 30 miles north of Columbus, Ohio.