Back to the Roots, a gardening brand founded by Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez, has seen significant growth since its humble beginnings 15 years ago with a $5,000 investment. Today, their products are sold in major retailers such as Walmart, Target, Lowes, Home Depot, and Amazon, with consumers spending an estimated $100 million on Back to the Roots products. Despite facing challenges along the way, the founders have remained committed to their vision of creating an eco-friendly gardening company.
The brand initially started with mushroom grow kits made from used coffee grounds collected from coffee shops near their UC Berkeley campus. This led to successful partnerships with retailers like Whole Foods, encouraging Arora and Velez to forego lucrative job offers post-college and focus on building Back to the Roots. Today, their product line includes peat-free soils, American-grown organic seeds, packaging made from recycled materials, and organic plant food, all in line with their mission to make organic gardening mainstream and affordable.
The pandemic has contributed to a resurgence of interest in gardening, benefiting companies like Back to the Roots as people spent more time at home and picked up hobbies like gardening. Younger generations are also seeking organic and planet-friendly options, contributing to the growing demand for products that align with their values. Back to the Roots has witnessed an increased interest in their organic range, with Walmart featuring their products in over 3,000 stores to educate consumers on organic and regenerative farming practices.
In addition to focusing on organic products, Back to the Roots is also prioritizing sustainable packaging. Working with ProAmpac, a flexible packaging manufacturer, the brand has incorporated post-consumer recycled plastic into their bags of soil, aligning with Walmart’s environmental goals outlined in Project Gigaton. The move towards more sustainable packaging sets a trend in the lawn and garden industry, inspiring other brands to embrace recycled materials and work towards greater sustainability.
The founders of Back to the Roots are dedicated to continuing their mission of promoting sustainability and inspiring change in the industry. They envision a future where customers can use reusable totes to fill up on soil, reducing the use of virgin plastic and promoting a circular economy. Industry leaders and celebrities alike are betting on Back to the Roots as the next-generation brand that can disrupt the traditional lawn and garden category and offer an alternative to legacy players.
With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and education, Back to the Roots is positioning itself as a leader in the gardening industry. By partnering with retailers like Walmart and introducing eco-friendly products, the brand is not only meeting consumer demand for organic options but also inspiring other companies to follow suit. As they continue to push boundaries and collaborate with industry partners, Back to the Roots aims to create a significant impact on the category and drive a positive change towards a more sustainable future.
