Glenmore Cummings trades insurance for life as a plant parent
Published:Saturday | January 25, 2025 | 4:09 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
Finding peace in nature is something that speaks to the heart of Glenmore Cummings. After working several years in the field of insurance, he said goodbye to the office and hello to a whole new green world. Making the discovery that true therapy is rooted in his garden, Cummings is not only a proud plant parent, he is also the owner of one of the coolest and most diverse greenhouses and plant stores around town.
“I was working in insurance for many years. I can’t explain to you the peace and tranquillity I got from leaving management. That whole noise and rigmarole of everyday office turmoil was getting to me. The day I decided to go into the plant business full time was the best decision I ever made. Me and me plants all right; less problem,” he told Saturday Living.
Located on Red Hills Road in St Andrew, his business, Gifts, Flowers and Plants, provides just that, a wide variety of plants and flowers that would make the ideal gift for any person and any home. Making a move from a previous spot, he set up shop 11 years ago and has been making remarkable strides in the greenery department.
With an innate love for plants, he explained, “My father was a farmer with many acres of land. I grew up in that environment as a little farmer, running around to plant fruit trees and vegetation.”
Recognising that many didn’t see ornamental plants as important, he wanted to tap into that market and shift the narrative, especially after witnessing these types of plants doing so well overseas.
Some of the popular plants in the nursery include a host of orchids, roses, sunflowers, bougainvilleas, hibiscuses, golden thryallis or shower of gold, ixoras, peace lilies, Zanzibar gem or ZZ, palms, philodendrons, anthuriums, desert rose, Chinese bamboo, silver bay, ferns and a wide range of cacti.
Planting part time while working a nine-to-five, Cummings eventually made a smooth transition, going into nature’s business full time. But the money didn’t come in immediately. “I had to work at it for a period of time. But I enjoyed it; it’s a part of my genes. And I continue to love it every single day.”
It’s hard to discuss plants without mentioning poinsettias, often called the baby of the season. While Christmas has passed, a fun fact about these vibrant red plants, according to Cummings, is that their colour lasts until February.
“Poinsettias come in different forms. Some bloom earlier than others. People will buy from as early as October and November. Then there will be another set in December, when everybody needs it,” Cummings shared.
According to the ‘plantrepreneur’, the main appeal of poinsettias lies in their association with the Yuletide season. Their vibrant red hues enhance home décor and bring a festive touch to any space.
Requiring warm, but cool conditions, poinsettias like to be watered. Once they start to dry out, then the leaves will dissolve and you will have to go to the root of the problem, usually located at the plant’s root. “This is called root rot. And it is the reason so many plants don’t survive.”
At the end of Christmas, once the poinsettias have provided its purpose, people tend to forget about the plant, until the next festive season. Cummings explained that all this plant needs is a little care and you will be set for the following months or year.
“Some people throw it outside and buy it the following year, while there are those who want to have poinsettias around. We encourage those who have poinsettias to plant them out and watch them grow for themselves. Water them every day until they are properly grounded. The plants remain red up until February, when they change colour and go green. But the red colour comes back by October and November,” he added.
With much success in this grounded arena, Cummings hopes to make a continued impact in how people view plant life. And, even introduce them to the beautiful side of being a plant parent.