As owner and creative force behind Exotic Plants Ltd., Keppler has spent more than five decades creating a philosophy of making living spaces lush, mindful environments.
Her latest venture into moss‐art blurs the line between horticulture and art.
Keppler’s story begins with an appreciation for plants that span spiritual, cultural and aesthetic traditions. Trained in Japanese tea ceremony, calligraphy and the koto (a musical instrument), she found a connection between Japanese traditional arts and indoor horticulture.
“I pioneered indoor plant service and rental in the Sacramento area starting in 1972,” Keppler says.
For Keppler, each orchid spike or dramatic foliage palm becomes not just décor but, as she calls it, “Living artwork.” Her work was featured on the cover of Inside’s East Sacramento edition last year, showing how her artistic passions and horticultural craft merge in beauty.
Which brings us to the moss-art. She says, “My moss‐marbled canvases of fern, lichen and basalt evoke miniature forests—an echo of Japan’s Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing) philosophy.”
She continues, “I use aged bark, textured moss and a sculptural layout which serves as thick visual metaphor for growth, time and patience.”
Stepping into Exotic Plants is like walking into a greenhouse and art gallery. The store offers classic tropical plants—whispery Rhapis palms, regal Italian black olives—among orchids in bloom.
But tucked among the benches and planters are moss‐mounted art pieces, framed as objects of contemplation.
Keppler’s staff and clientele remark on her dual gifts: as a plant whisperer and creative director. “Kifumi is so kind and has a wealth of insight on plant care and arranging,” customer Rich Bayquen says. “Her creative sense is amazing.”
With her exhibitions and commissions, Keppler bridges horticulture with an art gallery’s sensibility. She’s an example of how a longtime business owner becomes a creative institution.
In a city where midrise developments and infill reshape neighborhoods, Keppler’s shop evokes patience and deep roots. In a region where indoor plant trends are fleeting, her style is timeless.
Local designers—interior decorators, architects, gallery curators—use her shop as a resource. Her workshops are educational experiences that contribute to the city’s design culture.
Keppler doesn’t talk much about retirement. Perhaps because horticulture and artistry aren’t jobs for her. They are lifelong practices.
Behind the scenes, Keppler nurtures not just plants but a young staff, passing along the idea that a palm isn’t just a decorative tree but a natural gesture in a living space.
In an era of mass marketing, Keppler quietly reminds us of craft, patience and story. She reminds us that a moss wall is a memory of forest light, that interior landscaping can be meaningful rather than a trend.
Next time you wander into the greenhouse-gallery on Fulton Avenue, pause among the fronds and framed moss. You may hear a soft, steady voice say, “This took time.” That voice belongs to Kifumi Keppler—gardener, artist and local moss-art legend.
Cecily Hastings can be reached at publisher@insidepublications.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
