Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Southwick.
Hi Sara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My dream of starting a native plant nursery began as a small idea in 2020 when my husband and I landscaped our yard. Following the principles of Localscapes, we significantly reduced the amount of turf grass in our yard and had every intention of planting native plants in our newly expanded garden beds. But after visiting multiple nurseries, I was stunned to find almost none.
At first I thought maybe I was mistaken – that Utah didn’t have plants worthy of putting in my yard. Instead, I discovered hundreds of incredible wildflowers, ornamental grasses and shrubs.
Once I finally found some native plants at the University of Utah’s semi-annual native plant sale, I realized we have an incredibly diverse ecosystem in Utah and just because a plant is native to Utah does not mean it is going to thrive in my yard.
My goal in starting this nursery simple: to make it much, much easier for the average Utahn to find and grow native plants. These plants were here first and if you can identify the right plants for your setting, you shouldn’t have to work quite so hard to keep them alive! Many native plants require less water and fertilizer, are less prone to disease and pests and provide vital support our ecosystem.
I am passionate about native plants and still have a lot more to learn. I’m excited to have you with me on this journey as we rediscover the beauty of our native Utah landscape – and bring it home.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced so far is the steep learning curve that comes with starting a nursery business, especially since I’m not a plant expert by training. My background is in business, not botany, and I only launched Native Utah Plants in February. I’m still in the early stages, learning the plants, their needs, and how to care for them at scale.
Right now, one of my most unexpected challenges is making dirt. I repot small plugs of native plants and into larger retail-sized containers and I quickly discovered no one sells a soil mix appropriate for Utah native species. These plants thrive in sandy, well-drained soils with very low organic content—basically the opposite of what you find in bagged garden soil, which is usually rich and moisture-retentive. So over the last few months, I’ve been experimenting with different mixes and trying to source materials to create the right blend. I didn’t expect to become a dirt expert when I started this business, but here I am!
There’s also the challenge of building a market for native plants in a region where they’re still considered somewhat niche. Education is a huge part of what I do, helping people understand the beauty, resilience, and long-term benefits of choosing native species for their landscapes. It’s a lot to take on, but I believe there’s a real demand for plants that actually want to live here.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Native Utah Plants?
After spending the last decade working in the tech industry as an HR professional, becoming a nursery owner is a major pivot, but it’s one I’m genuinely excited about. I’ve often heard that many people enter the nursery business because they love plants, but they struggle with the business side. For me, it’s the opposite. I bring strong operational experience, a big-picture mindset, and a clear vision for building something sustainable and now I’m learning the plants!
My business, Native Utah Plants, is built on the belief that native species should be easy to find, understand, and grow. These plants are beautiful and resilient. They’re naturally adapted to Utah’s climate, which means that once they’re established, they require very little intervention. No fertilizers or pesticides, minimal watering, and lower maintenance overall. They actually want to be here, which makes gardening with them more practical and sustainable.
Right now, native plants are still considered a specialty product in Utah. Finding the right species for your landscape can be far too difficult. My goal is to change that by making native plants more accessible and commercially available across the state.
One thing that makes Native Utah Plants different is our online-first model. Customers can browse mature plant photos, filter options based on light and water needs, bloom time, and more. This helps people create thoughtful, intentional garden designs using plants that are suited to thrive in their space.
What I’m most proud of is the trust I’m building with my customers. They know I care deeply about the integrity of the plants I offer and the long-term success of their gardens. Native plants are more than a passing trend. They are a powerful way to restore beauty, biodiversity, and balance to our communities. I’m excited to be building a business that makes that possible.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a straight-A student with nearly perfect attendance through elementary school. As the oldest of five kids, I naturally stepped into a mini-parenting role at home, especially when my mom became very sick while I was in middle school. That experience taught me responsibility and resilience at a young age.
When I was 12, I begged my parents to let me start a vegetable garden. I was born in Utah but raised in Texas, and my dad didn’t think Texas was an ideal place for growing vegetables, so he was hesitant. Eventually, he agreed to let me plant a small garden after I moved some pavers in our yard. Unfortunately, I quickly learned why the pavers were there in the first place—that part of the yard didn’t get enough sun for even grass to grow. Needless to say, my first garden was a flop. But even then, I knew I would have a garden of my own someday. Little did I know I would have an entire nursery!
Now, I have eight vegetable garden boxes in my backyard, and I truly believe that growing veggies and herbs was what first sparked my love of plants.
As a kid, my hobbies included gymnastics, piano, and choir. These days, I still sing in choir at church and play the organ. I’ve traded in gymnastics for yoga, which has been a fun way to keep those balance and flexibility skills alive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://utahplants.com
- Instagram: @nativeutahplants
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573549580600
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/106410879/
