About Us

IvyMay & Co is a small minority women-owned eco-conscious company based in Encinitas, California. Each member of the four-person team has their own unique academic & professional background: business, sociology, anthropology, & art; but they all share a common love & passion: houseplants. 


IvyMay was founded by Tammy Nguyen & Cody Warden in June 2020, offering houseplants with free local delivery. The company aimed to boost mental wellness during California’s mandatory stay-at-home order - a dark & unstable time in our community. The duo operated the business out of their second story two-bedroom apartment in Pacific Beach, California. 

As the company found itself growing exponentially, Nguyen & Warden’s landlord informed them that their unit was being sold, causing the co-founders & their new company to relocate in October 2020. During the abrupt transition, IvyMay & Co. added Thaimae Le as a partner & scrambled to transform an old chicken coop into their new office & greenhouse. 


The company began to draw local & national attention, being featured in several news articles & local television segments. While simultaneously building the brand, IvyMay began to accept commercial clients for in-store & branded content styling in November 2020. 

IvyMay Redwoods Houseplant & Aroid Peat-Free Potting Mix next to an albo syngonium in a black-painted terracotta pot in the foreground. Cody, Tammy, and dog Cohen huddle and smile at each other.

During the everyday operations of the company, IvyMay began to notice a lack sustainability & renewable options in their industry. The company began to meet with experts to research & develop greener solutions for their customers & ultimately, the planet. 


In April 2021, IvyMay announced the discontinuation of live plant sales & decided to dedicate themselves to developing more sustainable products & commercial biophilic design.


After nearly a year of collaborating, the team officially added talented artist, Anna Hong, as their company Art Director in November 2021. The four-person team combines their individual strengths to work towards modern houseplant products for modern houseplant parents.

PRESS

  1. Martha Stewart: 8 Houseplant Trends for 2023
  2. Tammy Nguyen of IvyMay: 5 Things We Must Do To Inspire The Next Generation About Sustainability And The Environment
  3. Meet IvyMay's CEO - Tammy Nguyen via SDVoyager
  4. Americans are starting businesses during the pandemic via ShareAmerica
  5. Growing Happiness: 10 Questions the Plant Purveyors @ IvyMay & Co. via Juneshine
  6. Pivot or Persevere? Meet Tammy Nguyen: Co-Founder of IvyMay & Co via Shoutout Socal
  7. San Diego Plant Business Thriving via ABC 10News
  8. San Diego Business Owners Encourage Community to Shop Small via FOX 5
  9. Shop Local San Diego: IvyMay & Co via CBS 8
  10. San Diego duo launches new business during COVID-19 pandemic
  11. Meet IvyMay via SDVoyager
  12. Meet IvyMay via Golden Gardens
  13. How to grow a Burro's Tail with Tammy Nguyen via San Diego Magazine