Liz Turner Plantsmith
Since opening in 2018, Plantsmith has become known for its carefully curated collection of indoor plants — from towering palms to iconic Monsteras — and for the genuine expertise and personal touch that owner Liz Turner brings to every interaction.
Liz runs both Plantsmith and a landscape design consultancy studio, Sustainable Horticultural Consultancy, drawing on her qualifications as a horticulturalist to help people create thriving indoor and outdoor gardens.
The idea for the indoor nursery came to life from a moment of frustration — a poor customer service experience at a local homeware store sparked the idea: “I could do that but give people the right advice and be nice to them!” That philosophy has shaped everything about Plantsmith, where personal relationships are formed through conversations over the counter about the best plant for specific conditions, how to care for a struggling fiddle leaf fig, or which local artisan pot would work best with a particular plant. It’s this personalised advice and genuine care that keeps people coming back to build their indoor jungles, one plant at a time.
We speak with Liz about her connection to the Thornbury and Preston community, and how her love of nature shapes her work.
Mosey Guide (mg): What is your connection to Thornbury (and Preston)?
Liz Turner (lt): It’s where we lived for 10 years and where I chose to start my bricks and mortar business, Plantsmith (it’s in Preston technically, just on the Thorbury border AKA Thornbury Heights ;)
The shop has been going since April 2018, so coming up on 8 years. Our family has since moved to Montmorency as we pursued the classic Australian dream of a home on a 1/4 acre block, but as my partner works in Westgarth and I divide my week between the shop and mostly north side clients, we still feel deeply connected.
(mg) What does Thornbury mean to you?
(lt) It’s where 2 of my 3 kids were born. It’s the community that nurtured our family in those early, tender years. It’s where they all started childcare, kinder or school for the first time. It’s Psarakos and Penders Park, chats with Flo on High Street, amazing neighbours and walking everywhere.
(mg) How does being in Thornbury shape what you do?
(lt) Well, in the design business we rarely cross the river anymore. 20 years ago when I started, I would take jobs in Toorak etc but now aside from consults, we stick to the inner north and aligned areas as I find I don’t need to push ideas of sustainability. Creatively, there seems to be more cohesion too.
In regards to Plantsmith, it is so reliant on the location and community it’s part of, I’m not sure it would work as a business model anywhere else! We’ve never advertised, but have a loyal base of customers who we can form real relationships with and who share in a love of nature and appreciate that personalised experience. Every week I meet someone or learn something / get a perspective that I would never have the opportunity to if it wasn’t for chatting over the counter.
(mg) What makes Thornbury different from other places you’ve lived or worked?
(lt) The lack of pretentiousness. It has an authenticity that’s hard to articulate.
(mg) What does your perfect day in Thornbury look like?
(lt) A walk in Darebin Parklands, lunch at Short Round. Head up the hill for an arvo film at Thornbury Picture House and end it with a ramen and yuzu sipper at Shop Ramen in Preston.
(mg) Who are the other makers, creators, or people in the neighbourhood that inspire you?
(lt) Tina Thornburn AKA Clay by Tina — The first ceramist to grace our shelves because she was recommended as “a good egg” by a friend. They were right. She runs her business with integrity, honesty and sustainability at the forefront and lives it too. She’s always undertaking a new adventure or pushing herself into new territory and I really admire that.
Clare Whitney — Local artist, advocate and all round powerhouse. I purchased some of her artwork about 20 years ago at the Rose Street Market, and then a few years later at her studio in Westgarth, when she was doing screenprints of local insects and animals over topographical maps of Victoria. In a quirk of fate, we ended up as neighbours when we moved to Thornbury, which turned into a wonderful family friendship. We literally knocked down the fence between our houses one Mothers Day, ha!
Kirsta Hawkins, Mutual Muse — Moving across the world and growing something from the first little store in Thornbury into the multi-store operation is no small feat. As a regular at that first store (it was very close to home, and I love secondhand fashion), I got to know her story, she then became a regular at Plantsmith when we opened. So I always look forward to chatting business when we bump into each other.
Second Home in Eltham and Short Round in Thornbury. Female led businesses that are consistently good at what they do/produce, have excellent staff and a beautiful space to be in.
(mg) What are you working on right now that excites you?
Our own line of products for Plantsmith!
Every week I meet someone or learn something / get a perspective that I would never have the opportunity to if it wasn’t for chatting over the counter.
(mg) What is the most memorable trip you’ve taken?
(lt) Nepal to trek the Annapurna ranges when I was 16. It was life changing, in all the right ways at just the right time.
(mg) Where is your next travel destination?
(lt) I’m heading to The Netherlands, France and England in May. I’m taking my mum before she gets too old to travel. We’re going to see the bulb fields, then travel by train through France and then the Lakes District, visiting some of the gardens of my childhood stories!
(mg) How has travel changed the way you see the world?
(lt) Perspective. The privilege we were born into — just by luck (and our place in time/history), and thus gratitude.
(mg) If you could recommend anywhere in the world for a mosey, where would it be?
(lt) India. I was there for 3 months in my 20’s and I only saw a tiny fraction of it, even though we went from the south up to the north in that time. It’s so vast and old and culturally rich and diverse (and the food down south is insanely good). I’d love to go back there and explore again.
Local knowledge
Favourite time of day in Thornbury:
Late afternoon. The light in the shop is really, really nice then and makes everything warm and oozy. I have fond memories of sitting on the driveways between our houses in Thornbury at that time of day too.
Go-to spot to reset or find inspiration:
I don’t have one spot, but always nature. The giant river red gum at the end of Abbott Street, down near the creek, is pretty special.
Thornbury’s best kept secret:
The train stations (Croxton and Thornbury). It feels like you’re in a tiny town in Gippsland or something. They’re so small and undeveloped, not brick and fancy like Rushall etc. Maybe it’s just me, but I like the feel.
24 hours in Thornbury:
I’d probably do a rerun of my perfect day above!
