The Sill

The Sill was founded on a simple premise: Plants Make People Happy. What started as a small operation in borrowed office space has grown into a leading houseplant retailer with multiple physical stores and a thriving online presence, bridging the gap between people and plants.

Company History

The Sill was founded in 2012 by Eliza Blank at age 26 in a tiny walk-up office in New York City. When Eliza moved from her rural Massachusetts hometown to NYC for college, she immediately felt the city’s lack of greenery and went searching for plants for her home. At the time, houseplants were hard to find - they weren’t available online, and nurseries didn’t cater to her demographic.

Upon graduating in 2007, Eliza had the concept for The Sill but needed to learn business fundamentals first. She took a job in brand strategy at beauty brand Living Proof, where she learned the basics of starting a business. In February 2012, she quit to pursue The Sill full-time.

With just under $10,000 in personal savings and a successful Kickstarter campaign, The Sill launched in June 2012. Key milestones followed: their first ceramic planter line in 2013, first NYC shop in 2014 (a 100 sq ft space next to a dollar pizza place), and surpassing $1M in annual revenue in 2016 - a feat achieved by only 2% of female-led businesses. By 2019, The Sill expanded west with shops in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Products & Services

• Plant of the Month Club: Monthly plant subscription ($55/month) delivering a new plant and ceramic planter for 3 or 6 months
• Easy-Care Subscription: Plants selected for low-maintenance care
• Pet-Friendly Subscription: Non-toxic plant varieties safe for pets
• Orchid Subscription: Monthly orchid delivery
• Houseplants: Extensive online catalog from small to XXL plants
• Planters & Accessories: Chic ceramic pots, tools, and plant care products
• Retail Stores: Physical locations in NYC, LA, and SF

What Sets Them Apart

The Sill has positioned itself as more than a plant retailer - it’s a plant education company. Their subscription service includes not just plants but also the knowledge to help new plant parents succeed. Each delivery comes with care instructions, and their team provides ongoing support to help subscribers develop confidence in plant care.

The company’s design-forward approach also distinguishes them. All plants arrive in stylish ceramic planters that complement modern home decor, making The Sill a favorite among urban millennials and design enthusiasts who want to add greenery without sacrificing aesthetics.