Rooted in Community: Plant Swap in the Grove

From fig trees to succulents and Venus flytraps from Salk’s Harnessing Plants Initiative (HPI), staff from across campus exchanged plants, cuttings, propagations, pots, soil, and gardening tips, transforming the space into a vibrant hub for connection and collaboration. Participants from longtime plant enthusiasts to first-time growers shared stories, traded advice, and expanded their collections while building new relationships across departments. 

Cold-pressed juice courtesy of Engagement & Wellbeing and sunny weather made the afternoon a refreshing pause in the workday and a reminder of the strong community that continues to grow across campus.

The swap emulated the spirit of HPI, which explores how plants can help address global challenges through innovative science. Founded in 2017, the initiative is rooted in the idea that enhancing plants’ natural abilities can support healthier ecosystems, more resilient agriculture, and long-term environmental sustainability. 

By creating space for informal connection and knowledge-sharing, the plant swap fostered a sense of belonging and encouraged employees to learn from one another outside of the lab.