June 6, 2025
Shop stories: Explore Green Envy in Elsternwick Village
Elsie Bishop, owner of Green Envy.
Tucked away in the Elsternwick Village shopping precinct is a thriving pocket of greenery that’s become a local favourite for plant lovers and curious passers-by alike.
Green Envy, a boutique indoor plant store, has been helping Melburnians reconnect with nature one potted plant at a time since opening its doors in late 2021.
At the heart of the store is owner and indoor plant specialist Elsie Bishop, who brought her dream of owning a plant store to life after years of experience working in florists and other plant stores.
Her passion for greenery and creative styling has transformed Green Envy into more than just a shop – it’s a sensory retreat that invites people to reconnect with nature, no matter where they live.
Indoor plant specialist
Green Envy is dedicated exclusively to indoor plants, offering a diverse range to suit every kind of living arrangement – from compact apartments to spacious family homes. The store features everything from lush potted plants and hanging baskets to hardy cactus varieties, small indoor trees and terrariums.
Among the most popular are tropical favourites like the monstera, Swiss cheese plants, and bird of paradise, as well as classic picks such as rubber trees, snake plants, ferns, and the ever-trendy fiddle-leaf fig. For the conscious plant parent, Green Envy offers pet- and baby-friendly options. The store also stocks plants suited to different lighting conditions, whether it’s a dim corner or a bright, north-facing room.
To complement its plant range, Green Envy stocks a thoughtfully selected range of accessories, including stylish ceramic pots, modern watering cans, soil, and plant care products like food solutions and oils.
“Having an indoor plant store is important,” Ms Bishop said.
“A lot of people live in apartments these days so sometimes having access to greenery can be a bit hard. By having an indoor plant store, everyone can have a plant, even if it’s a little one sitting on a shelf or a bigger plant that sits by the window.”
A sensory experience
Although compact in size, the store is packed with greenery, creating a richly immersive experience that stands out in an age of online shopping. The abundance of plants and their vibrant textures and scents make a visit to Green Envy a treat for the senses.
“The art of a good retail experience is lost these days, with the influx of online shopping, so entering Green Envy is an experience for everybody,” Ms Bishop said.
“Coming inside and breathing in the fresh air that the plants create, and touching the plants in person, is a sensory event.”
She urges customers to slow down and enjoy their visit to the shop.
“I encourage people to look at things, smell things, touch things. We jam-pack the store with as many plants as we can… so you can visualise how the plants might look in your home,” she said.
Styling expertise
For those unsure of where to begin with indoor plants, Green Envy offers a tailored home styling service. This service is ideal for customers who feel overwhelmed by choice or need help understanding which plants will work in their space. It’s also available for commercial environments, real estate inspections and special events.
The styling process covers everything from evaluating the space and its natural light conditions to selecting suitable plants and installing them with complementary pots and accessories. With a background in fine arts, Ms Bishop brings a creative lens to every project, blending aesthetic sensibility with practical plant knowledge.
“If it is a bit overwhelming for you, and you don’t know where to start, we can come into your space, take photos, have a look at the lighting and the aesthetic of your home, and then choose options that are tailored and perfectly suited to the space,” Ms Bishop said.
A greener life, for everyone
Whether you’re a plant novice or an avid collector, Green Envy makes it easy to incorporate greenery into your home or workplace. The store champions the idea that indoor plants aren’t just decorative – they can be transformative for living spaces and personal wellbeing.
“Whether you have a huge garden or live in a small apartment, having indoor plants means everybody can have access to beautiful greenery and the benefits they can provide,” Ms Bishop said.
“Plants are very important – they help your mental health, and your physical health with the air-purifying benefits. Having plants in your space can drastically improve your life.”
For anyone looking to bring more plants into their life, Green Envy is a must-visit destination in Elsternwick Village.
