what we do
We decided to propagate and grow special varieties that were not readily available in our area. Heather’s experience with houseplants and specialized propagation and greenhouse management techniques combined with Susie’s experience with succulents and native host plants for butterflies and other pollinators equal a combined 35 years of experience leading to the creation of Plant Mamas.
We flourish in the opportunity we’ve created doing things we really enjoy doing together: growing plants, growing our friendship, and growing our business.
who we are
Susie Rivadeneyra
Susie is a landscape design professional who holds a vast knowledge of plant material in coastal North Carolina. Susie is committed to post-installation follow up with the install teams and clients to assure satisfaction of a job well done which leads to long term relationships with her clients.
Susie’s love for gardening began early. Her Father was an avid gardener; they spent lots of time together “ogling” plants. She spent most of her adult life in jobs other than horticulture while redoing her friends' and neighbors' yards on the side. After her youngest child was in school full-time, she took over her friend's “gardening” business while her friend moved to France for a year. That was the end of any other job for Susie. She’s been gardening and designing full-time ever since, for 15yrs.
She is also a full-time student at CFCC working toward her end goal of a 2027 Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Agricultural Education and Horticultural Science at North Carolina A&T, while also studying for her Certified Plant Professional exam in May 2025. Susie is keeping busy with her longtime clients and seeing their gardens grow while welcoming new clients along the way.
Heather Hardie
Heather is currently the director of Horticulture and Turfgrass Management at Brunswick Community College. Her favorite class to teach is Plant Propagation because she loves to be in the greenhouse. She has 2 greenhouses at her home where she beautifully manages all our Plant Mama babies. Her passion is seeing her plants and students grow.
Heather began her career in Horticulture at the age of 21 and landed her first job as a garden center manager at a small operation in her hometown, Kinston, NC. A few years later she moved to Atlanta, Georgia and became a Quality Control Supervisor for a large interiorscaping company. She fell in love with houseplants during this time and became very knowledgeable about them.
After earning her 2004 associate’s degree in Horticulture Technology from Lenoir Community College in Kinston, NC, Heather began working there as a part-time instructor teaching Horticulture. She then pursued her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education Professional Service through NCA&T while she was teaching. Heather is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Higher Education at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, with a May 2025 graduation.
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