WORCESTER, Mass. — With high costs of brick-and-mortar storefronts and an increase in flexible work settings, food trucks have become all the rage. From lemonade to Jamaican food, and Mexican cuisine to Mediterranean plates and everything in between, they have whatever your stomach is craving. But a local couple is transforming this four-wheeled business from a strictly culinary venture to something focused on home horticulture.

Sam D’Alessandro and her husband Andrew McShane are the founders of the new plant truck, Wild Roots, a mobile greenhouse that sells both houseplants and local art.

“The pandemic allowed us to take a look at our life and our passions and our jobs,” D’Alessandro said. “We always thought about starting a business together, and we kind of acquired a green thumb over the years.”

They say the idea stemmed from the recent trend of 20-somethings filling their apartments with plants. D’Alessandro spoke of how this population is staying in apartments longer and might not have children immediately. A plant allows them to take care of something.

“We love plants. There’s just so many people that want to bring nature back into their lives,” D’Alessandro said. “We wanted to help facilitate that because we feel that ourselves. I think people, especially if they live in a small apartment in Worcester, want to bring some outdoorsy aspects inside.”

D’Alessandro said the truck’s name comes from people wanting to go back to their “roots,” and she said it is important to be a part of the natural world. McShane tells customers that “plant care is self-care.”

“There’s something about watering your plant or brushing the dust off, or trimming it even, where you slow down and get reconnected to the world,” McShane said.

The truck opened on June 12 with various pop-ups throughout the region. The couple have been to three events so far including the West Boylston Community Market and the Good Vibes Burncoat and Vintage Market.

The inside of the truck features floating wooden shelves and cabinets that display plants of all different shapes, sizes and colors. D’Alessandro said that the Monstera plants are one of the most popular right now, but she is always surprised and excited to see people pick out a variety of plants to take home.

“We also identify a lot of pet friendly plants,” McShane said. “That’s definitely a big thing that people care about now — if my cat’s going to get into it, what won’t I have a vet bill for?

The plants themselves come from a few locations. D’Alessandro and McShane have a greenhouse that they keep everything in. They do some growing and propagating in it as well, but they also works with local greenhouses and growers.

“We want to stay as close as possible to support places that have supported us,” D’Alessandro said. 

The pair said that they hope to work with more local artists to offer special pots to customers. In addition, they offer the work of local artists like candlemakers and printmakers.

“Working with local artists, showcasing their work and literally being a vehicle to give them more exposure is awesome,” McShane said.

The next stop for Wild Roots is the Worcester Food Truck Throwdown and Craft Fair. McShane said people will be able to visit the truck at the fairs coming up in Rutland, Marlborough, Spencer, Wachusetts, and Holden.