Planted in Ottawa: A Winter-Green Paradise
Robert and Line Plante’s greenhouse is the perfect place for the community to experience serenity in the harsh winter months.
Each year for the past three years, the Robert Plante Greenhouse Market has hosted a winter market for two days per month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., between October and January. The market has expanded greatly since its inception — the owner’s vision carefully executed. Products range from jewellery to honey, fruit and drinks, with each vendor offering a unique story to tell.
“There’s really no other market like it in the city of Ottawa because there’s no other green space like this during the winter,” said Colin Matassa, general manager of the market.
Owners Line and Robert Plante founded the greenhouse when they were about 16 or 17 years old, allowing it to nurture their love for one another and for the community — eventually turning the business into a year-round botanical solstice.
According to their daughter-in-law, Crystal Plante, 90 per cent of their products are made inside the greenhouse. Line has always wanted to host markets to bring the community together.
“It’s not only a market, but also a destination,” she said. “It’s a place where families can come and walk around and just enjoy the serenity of being in the greenhouse.”
“Even if it gets quite busy, it’s still relaxing. In the middle of winter, you’re surrounded by tropical plants — it has a good feeling.”
This year has been one of the most successful yet. The company has gained traction over the past few years, especially as vendors began populating their social media with success stories. The Robert Plante Winter Market is advertised on the Ottawa Tourism website, featuring the market’s lush landscape and strong community ties.
“It’s a great way to bring the local community together. It draws people from all over the city. We have people who drive from the west end, from out in the country,” said Matassa.
One of the vendors, Amanda Mwaniki — who has been featured on CTV Ottawa Morning Live — had a stand at the market. She is the proud owner of Tribal Secrets, selling completely natural body butters, which she began in January 2025. Mwaniki has been making the butter since she was a teenager.
“It’s my grandma’s recipe,” she said. “I’m East African; my grandma believes everything should come from the earth — beauty, medicine, food. So, I just kind of took her recipe and started making it my own.”
Mwaniki says one of her favourite things about the market is being able to share her culture and connect with others through skincare. In Kenya, where she is originally from, sharing beauty secrets is a sign of love and care.
“These are the best body butters,” said a customer passing by.
Mwaniki puts special thought into naming the body butters — each one named after a place in Africa.
“Like Nairobi rich chocolate — Nairobi is the capital. In Machakos, it’s like the trees are falling over with mangoes. Limuru, lots of lavender fields. Nanyuki is my ancestral home. Lots of vanilla there,” she said.
She makes her own vanilla scent by crushing vanilla beans and soaking them in rich almond and jojoba oil.
All products are made with shea butter, vitamin E oil and jojoba oil. Scents include vanilla, chocolate, coffee, baby balm (unscented), lavender and strawberry. Although every scent holds a special place in customers’ hearts, Baby Balm has been the most popular this year, selling out for its soothing effect on eczema.
Compared to the Lansdowne Christmas Market, Matassa says the Robert Plante market is larger in terms of attendance, and vendors say it’s better organized logistically. There is also free parking for customers.
One of the biggest hits of the season has been the new coffee truck near the exit.
Line says it’s a popular destination for people to gather with friends, walk their dogs and bring their young children.
“It’s a huge venue — hundreds of vendors, incredible products. Local crafts, local art, local farm goods and a wide selection. They’re very organized and the expectations are clear,” said Billy Morrison, owner of Faceoff Games and creator of Hockey Hardware.
“I think a lot of people have fun at these marketplaces. They get to see a lot of different products. All you have to do is look around the halls and see how busy it is to realize how successful they are at organizing these events.”
Morrison, who stood behind his booth with his wife Katherine, said what started as a late-night revelation turned into a successful business idea. Hockey Hardware was designed, assembled and created in Canada — aimed at hockey fans, game enthusiasts, collector hobbyists and those drawn to the game’s competitive nature. He says the markets have been perfect for generating interest.
Hockey Hardware can be purchased on faceoffgames.ca and amazon.ca and has been featured on platforms such as TSN 1200 Ottawa, NOTL Local and The Niagara Independent.
Morrison said his biggest support through the production of the game has been his wife. Alongside the couple have been more than 270 supporters from across the country. In the newest edition of the game, sponsored pages in the rulebook recognize every province and city that supported the project.
“We’ve got representation pretty much from coast to coast, so we’re really pleased about that,” said Morrison.
What began as a vegetable and flower farm has grown into a beautiful story of two high school sweethearts — making events like these possible for anyone seeking a festive, tropical flair.
Following the winter market, a magic show is scheduled for Family Day, along with a couple of upcoming seminars. These include an information session on how to grow seeds indoors and care for houseplants during the winter. Other events include a paint night and a February book fair featuring 50 authors from across the province.