Good People of vitruta: Emel Şanoğlu
Good People of vitruta's newest member, Emel Şanoğlu, has answered our questions!
Welcome, Emel! Let’s introduce you to the followers of Good People of vitruta. Who is Emel Şanoğlu?
I’m a landscape architect. I worked as a design coordinator in a project office for 12 years. Then I decided to refresh my life, staying close to plants while also bringing a touch of green to others’ lives, and I founded Verda Botanik in 2020. Actually, Verda Botanik started as part of a charity initiative. I lost my mother to lung cancer, and during her illness, I witnessed the needs of people facing this disease firsthand. This inspired me to create a campaign where I sold small plants to fund equipment for lung patients. Soon, these small plants grew from pots to large-scale botanical gardens for spaces. I truly love what I do, and I feel so lucky to work with people who share that joy.
We also heard that you’re about to embark on an international adventure soon?
Yes! Because I love my work so much, I’m always eager to grow professionally. In the coming months, I’ll be heading to Italy to pursue training I’ve dreamed about for years — essentially an internship. I’ll start at Vanucci Piante in the Pistoia region and then move on to Piante Faro in Sicily. I’m already excited to bring back what I learn and apply it to my own work.
We all want to know more about plants, care for them properly, and display them beautifully in our homes. What tips would you share with us?
If you’re trying to design a green space in your home, start by capturing those film or series scenes you love. When you see a beautiful setup, pause and take a photo. That instant appeal is a valuable detail to remember. This helps you understand how plants are placed and their proportions. Sometimes, I see large plants in tiny pots, and it’s disappointing — that often points to a lack of proportion awareness. Visiting exhibitions or greenhouses can also teach you so much about balance and plant aesthetics.
Taking care of plants is, of course, a whole other skill!
Absolutely. Occasionally, I spot abandoned plants near trash bins, and it’s disheartening because with a little pruning and moist soil, they could thrive again. Pruning, in general, isn’t very widely practiced in Turkey, which sadly leads to a lot of plant waste. During the pandemic, demand for houseplants soared, as everyone was home. But as life returns to normal, I’ve noticed that some of our customers now struggle with plant care, worried about how to handle problems, or panicking when they return from vacation to find their plant half-dried. It highlights not only the gaps in our plant care knowledge but also in understanding the responsibility of owning a plant. When you get a plant, know that it will grow; it might need pruning, repotting, or new soil — it’s a serious commitment, really!
Do you have a book to recommend on this topic?
Plantopedia: The Definitive Guide to Houseplants is definitely a book I’d recommend. If you want reliable information, it’s essential to consult trustworthy sources, whether it’s this book or a knowledgeable seller. Beyond books, UrbanJungleBlog on Instagram is also fantastic for both learning and inspiration.
The vitruta stores are known for featuring plants prominently. As a landscape architect, what do you think about their plants? 😊
I really love the plants in vitruta stores! It’s always enjoyable to see spaces filled with carefully selected, well-positioned plants that add such a delightful green ambiance. Although vitruta has achieved this intentionally, it’s not something you see everywhere. Sometimes, while walking around in shopping malls, I notice plants placed in dim corners where they clearly don’t thrive, and it really bothers me. It’s not that plants can’t be in malls — low-light plants would work — but often the focus is more on appearance than the plant’s well-being. And don’t get me started on artificial plants meant to “look like” real ones; I can never get behind that!
After a chat filled with plant talk, may we ask for your top five favorite brands at vitruta? 😊
Fine People Community, Reebok, Rains, Nike, and WWF Market.