Erica Des Roches: A Plant Broker for Rare Plants
OWNER, VERANDA PLANTS & GIFTS
A native of the Netherlands, Erica Des Roches attributes her love of plants to her home country, which she says, “has a strong relationship with plants and flowers.” That’s why she opened her first Veranda Plants & Gifts three years ago in the paseo connecting Miracle Mile to Parking Garage #1. The small business owner moved to the U.S. 30 years ago and did stints in Miami, Las Vegas, and New York before settling in Coral Gables. Her store offers everything “green,” from plants to pots to earrings that look like monstera plant leaves and signs that feature such delightful aphorisms as “It’s not hoarding if it’s plants.” Des Roches also runs a part-time landscaping business and acts as a “plant broker” for customers interested in rare or hard to find plants.
LATEST ACHIEVEMENT

Des Roches moved Veranda Plants & Gifts to a new spot directly on Miracle Mile this year, hoping for more foot traffic. The new space features much more room for events as well as a larger storefront, reflecting her dedication to helping others cultivate their own connection to nature. Through a variety of interactive workshops, Des Roches teaches participants how to care for plants. These include terrarium creation, pottery painting, bonsai and orchid care workshops, and the art of ikebana, or Japanese flower arranging. Events are announced on the store’s Instagram page: @veranda.plants.
WHAT SHE SAYS
“For me, Veranda Plants is more than a business – it’s an extension of who I am,” says Des Roches. “It’s a place where I can blend my background, creativity, and passion for plants to create something meaningful for both myself and my customers. It’s also a place where people can come to play and be creative by participating in our workshops… All of the plants come with live support because I genuinely care about plants and the impact they have on people’s lives. A huge part of my business is offering guidance.”