Style Observer Gardening enjoyed a recent sit-down with Pamela McLaughlin, principal of Potscapes Shoppe. It’s an interview we are certain you’ll enjoy as much as we did

Style Observer Gardening (SOG): How did Potscapes start?

Pamela McLaughlin (PM): My journey with Potscapes began with a lifelong love of gardening, but succulents captured my heart almost instantly, around 20 years ago. Their incredible variety of colours, forms, and textures fascinated me, and I delighted in arranging them into little “pot-scapes” — miniature landscapes thoughtfully paired with beautiful pots.

What started as a personal hobby gradually evolved into a collection I wanted to share. The initial idea was to offer them for sale through a fully online store, complemented by pop-up experiences across the island, primarily in Kingston. These events allowed me to connect directly with an ever-growing community of plant lovers.

In December 2025, Potscapes reached a new milestone with the opening of our cosy plant boutique. Located on the grounds of MegaMart Waterloo, this light-filled, thoughtfully designed space is where succulents are treated as living art. Today, we offer a curated selection of succulents, tools, and bespoke arrangements, along with approachable guidance. More than a shop, it’s a space to slow down, explore, and connect with nature.

SOG: In major metropolises purchasing flowers/plants to spruce up the home is par for the course. How is the Jamaican consumer doing in this regard?

PM: I think the Jamaican consumer is catching up beautifully! Traditionally, plants and flowers served practical purposes — fruit trees, garden staples, or adornments for special occasions — but that’s changing. People are beginning to appreciate the softer, more nurturing side of interacting with plants in everyday life. They’re becoming “food for the soul”, companions in the home rather than just décor.

I love seeing the curiosity and creativity with which people bring plants into their spaces, whether it’s a small succulent on a desk or a carefully curated collection in a living room. There’s a growing appreciation for the joy that tending and caring for plants can bring.

SOG: How would you describe your space?

PM: The Potscapes Shoppe is a calm, light-filled boutique designed to feel soothing and inviting. It’s a space where you can slow down and really notice the succulents — their colours, textures, and forms. My goal was to create a space that’s both approachable and inspiring, where people can linger, explore, and learn, whether they’re new to plants or lifelong enthusiasts.

More than a shop, it’s a little oasis that encourages connection with nature, offering a quiet moment of calm in the everyday.

SOG:What’s your preferred bloom?

PM:I love all things green — even the weeds! — but succulents have my heart. Their endless variety of forms, colours, and textures is endlessly captivating. I’m drawn to plants that feel subtle, timeless, and that reveal new details the longer you look at them.

If I had to choose a favourite, it would be the rosettes of echeverias. Their layered, symmetrical leaves and gentle gradient of colours feel like miniature works of art — delicate yet strong, simple yet endlessly intriguing. I love how they can be arranged into little landscapes, and how no two are ever exactly alike. Each one is rewarding to nurture and share.

Do please join SOG next week for Part 2.

Potscapes Shoppe’s selection of succulents, plants, ceramic flowers, mist bottles and water cans.Garfield Robinson

Sedum dâsyphyllum Garfield Robinson

Echeveria tobarensisGarfield Robinson

Echeveria Hughmillus Garfield Robinson

Echeveria morango Garfield Robinson