Want to cheer up your surroundings by creating your own urban jungle? It’s a brilliant idea, as green has a calming influence, plants improve the air quality and they help keep your spirits up. Rood & Bloem Carolien Rutgers’ shop is Utrecht’s green paradise. There’s no way you could leave this shop without a bag full of plants. As well as houseplants in all shapes and sizes, you’ll find beautiful plant pots and fun gifts to give away (or keep for yourself). In the spring, Rood & Bloem sells a range of items for your garden or balcony. > Springweg 14 roodenbloem.nl Stek voor je plek You could call Stek voor je Plek a hobby that got out of hand. Margot, the woman behind this green paradise, started her shoppurely because she loved plants. You could spend hours here, nosing around the mini-cacti, bonsai-ginseng, pancake plants and beautiful home-made terraria. > inside GreenUP instagram/stekvoorjeplek Wonderwoud The store on the corner of Kerkstraat and Nachtegaalstraat doesn’t just serve coffee and vegan cakes – it also sells plants, home accessories and vintage items. The Wonderwoud plant store is run by Sonja and Lynn, who also have a shop in the centre of Maastricht. Their store is a real urban jungle with cosy corners, seating and music from an old-school gramophone. And of course there’s a good chance that you’ll leave with a new houseplant under your arm. > Nachtegaalstraat 34 wonderwoudplanten.com Daen’s Greenhouse You’ll find everything you need at Daen’s: clothes, a nice cuppa with a slice of cake, and something to expand your urban jungle. Daen’s Greenhouse, on the corner of Korte Minrebroederstraat, is packed with all things green – from modest houseplants to ceiling-high palms. They also sell attractive flowerpots, designer vases and luxury travel books. What’s more, the shop serves as a lobby for guests staying in one of the high-end urban apartments in the hotel of the same name upstairs. > Korte Minrebroederstraat 13-17 daens.nl