When many of us think of Uplands Crescent in Swansea's Uplands, we think of restaurants, bars and students - but one businesswoman is putting the residential and leisure area on the Swansea map for another reason: gorgeous houseplants. Laweza Ali, 26, opened Plants and Papers in May, 2021 after months of planning and preparation - and it's quickly become the go-to place for houseplant fans across the city.
The unit, which housed a vape shop before the pandemic, is almost filled to the brim with hanging plants, large potted plants, small plants, cactuses, rare plants and a wide range of other potted plants and plant-related gifts. There's also a range of rolling papers and smoking paraphernalia available at the rear of the shop.
We visited the shop on a cold Tuesday lunchtime - and were struck by just how many people of different ages and backgrounds came in to buy a houseplant for themselves or as a gift for a loved one, or stepped through the shop's doors simply to ask Laweza for planting advice.
