Why Happy Houseplants Isn’t a B Corp (And Why Responsibility Still Matters to Us)

Why we’re talking about B Corp

B Corp has become one of the best-known certifications for responsible business. From Patagonia to The Body Shop, the label is meant to show which companies care about people and the planet. But recently, even some fast-fashion brands have gained certification and to us, that undermines the whole point. If businesses built on overproduction and disposability can wear the badge, then the meaning of the label starts to feel less clear.

We’re often asked why Happy Houseplants isn’t a B Corp. The answer is simple: we’re a small, family-run business, and while we try to do the right thing in everything we do, we’d rather focus our energy on practical, everyday actions that matter to our customers, our team, and our plants.

The reality for small businesses

We can’t shift global practices like the widespread use of peat in horticulture or the way international supply chains work. What we can do is make good choices where possible:

• Working with trusted growers who share our values

• Reusing and reducing packaging wherever we can

• Using carbon-neutral delivery services

• Running our business in a way that minimises waste

It’s not perfect, but it’s progress.

Plants and wellbeing

For us, plants are more than products. They’re part of a bigger picture of wellness and biophilic design, the idea that humans thrive when surrounded by natural elements. Bringing greenery into homes is about more than decoration. It’s about mental health, calm, creativity, and joy. We take that side of our work very seriously, and it’s a huge part of why we do what we do.

Why we focus on honesty over labels

Certifications like B Corp can be useful, but they also risk becoming more of a badge than a guarantee of real change. Big companies with deep pockets can sometimes navigate the process more easily than small businesses who live and breathe sustainability every day.

For us, it feels more important to be transparent about what we’re doing, where the challenges are, and how we’re trying to improve. That way, our customers know they’re supporting a business built on integrity, not just paperwork.

Our promise

We might never be a B Corp and that’s okay. What matters to us is:

• Building a business with care and honesty

• Making responsible choices where we can

• Sharing knowledge through our houseplant blog

• Helping people enjoy the incredible benefits that plants bring into their lives

Good business isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about doing what you can, with sincerity, and trusting that every small step adds up to something meaningful. And every time you choose to support a small business like ours, you’re helping make that difference possible.