🌿 About The BIG Plant Expo

🌿 Where It All Began

In late 2020, what started as a small plant swap among friends in Charleston, South Carolina, quickly became something much bigger.

Plant enthusiasts from across the region were searching for opportunities to connect in person, discover unique plants, learn from experienced growers, and support small businesses that shared their passion. What they found was a growing community united by a common love of plants.

Recognizing that need, founder Renay Adams created South East Rare Plant Market (SERPM), a series of regional events designed to bring together growers, collectors, artisans, and plant lovers in a welcoming environment where community comes first.

What began as a single gathering soon expanded into multiple markets across the Carolinas, creating opportunities for small businesses to grow while connecting thousands of plant enthusiasts throughout the Southeast.

🌱 Growing a Movement

As the markets continued to grow, so did the vision.

Renay believed plant lovers deserved destination events that celebrated rare plants, education, community, and creativity on a larger scale. She envisioned experiences that would bring together collectors, growers, artisans, influencers, and enthusiasts from across the country while supporting the small businesses that help the plant community thrive.

That vision became The BIG Plant Expo.

Launched in 2024, The BIG Plant Expo was created to be more than a shopping event. It was designed as an immersive experience where plants, education, inspiration, and community come together under one roof.

The response exceeded every expectation.

Attendees traveled from across the United States. Vendors sold out. Plant influencers, collectors, and growers embraced the event as a gathering place unlike any other in the region.

What began as a single event has grown into a thriving brand with a mission to create unforgettable plant experiences and strengthen plant communities wherever they grow.

🌸 More Than Plants

Today, South East Rare Plant Market and The BIG Plant Expo serve a thriving community of plant enthusiasts, collectors, growers, artists, educators, and entrepreneurs.

Our events are built on the belief that plants bring people together.

Whether someone is purchasing their very first houseplant, searching for a rare collector specimen, learning from industry experts, or supporting a small business, every attendee becomes part of something larger than a marketplace.

They become part of a community.

🌻 Our Mission

Everything we do is guided by four simple goals:

• Support independent growers, nurseries, artists, and plant focused small businesses.

• Connect plant lovers with unique and affordable plants they may never encounter elsewhere.

• Create opportunities for education, inspiration, and meaningful connections.

• Build exceptional plant experiences that connect and strengthen communities wherever we grow.

Every market, every vendor, every sponsor, and every attendee plays a role in helping that mission thrive.

Together, we are growing more than plants.

We are growing a community.

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