Stepping into the serene and verdant studio of Midori Gardens in Sadashivnagar, Belagavi, feels less like browsing for plants and more like walking into a living art gallery. Each plant, housed in a strikingly beautiful planter, seems to have a personality of its own—vibrant, graceful, and full of life. The woman behind this green haven is the stunningly charming Beena Sambargimath, and her studio is, quite literally, a reflection of her story—one rooted in passion, creativity, and resilience.
The entrepreneurial sprouts
Beena’s entrepreneurial journey did not quite begin with plants. Originally from Belagavi and a resident of Bengaluru for over a decade, she juggled life as a mother of two with multiple ventures. A self-confessed restless spirit, she couldn’t imagine whiling away time once her children left for school. So, she started a library for children that grew to host over 200 members and 2,000 books. Simultaneously, she pursued her love for fitness, becoming a certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Amidst all this, Beena was still yearning to find the true purpose of life.
Beena’s green journey truly began once they moved to Chennai, where the balcony of her new home—overlooking the Indian Ocean—became the perfect canvas for her creativity. What started as a personal project soon turned into a lush, Pinterest-worthy garden that caught the attention of friends, who began seeking her help with their own spaces.
Inspired, Beena explored the Japanese art of Kokedama—ornamental plants displayed in moss balls—which became her signature. Her debut at the Bungalow 12 pop-up saw her handcrafted kokedama sell out within minutes, revealing both her natural flair and a niche market for curated green décor.
Backed by her husband Vinay and friend CA Prashant Mahagaonkar, who agrred to come on board as a partner, Beena began planning her own plant studio—dreaming of combining it with a café. But just as momentum built, the COVID-19 lockdown brought everything to a halt.
Back to the roots
It was during this uncertain time that the family made a decision that would shape the future of Midori Gardens. They moved back to Belagavi, their hometown, with Vinay convincing Beena that her vision could still thrive—perhaps even more authentically—without the overheads of a big city. The move, which she always had in mind, though initially daunting, brought her closer to her roots.
However, tragedy struck shortly after their return. Vinay’s father, the esteemed CA Shivakumar Sambargimath, passed away from COVID within just 20 days. The loss was a profound blow to the family. But amid the grief, Beena found strength and purpose. She transformed the first floor of their Sadashivnagar home into what would become Midori Gardens. The name, which means Green in Japanese, is an ode to the Japanese legacy of what started with Kokedama and was suggested by her literature- buff younger son. She worked tirelessly for over 6 months before opening the doors to her dream.
Launched in 2021, Midori Gardens isn’t a nursery—it is a plant design studio. Each plant is handpicked, often aged 7 to 8 years, some with braided barks, rare foliage, and striking silhouettes. Her planters are bespoke pieces sourced from across India and abroad, each chosen to elevate the aesthetic appeal of modern interiors. Beena designs her planters herself and gets it custom made from manufacturers.
“I wanted the plants to become statement pieces,” Beena explains. “Not just a touch of green, but the centre of conversation in a room.” Beena was indeed ahead of her times, educating people and creating a niche for indoor plants. “Every product of mine has a certain level of class, making people wonder how it was created” she adds.
Despite minimal marketing, the studio quickly gained a loyal clientele through word-of-mouth. While the price points may be considered premium, her clients see the value—not just in the product but in the experience and artistic thought that goes into each piece. The plants started adorning the drawing rooms, bedrooms, corners and entrances of beautiful homes, office spaces, hotel lobbies, restaurants, etc. Several architects find Midori gardens as the one stop for all their requirements for plants to adorn client homes. They work together with Beena for the final look keeping in mind the client’s lifestyle, taste and the elevation. From tiny planters to large ones holding trees, Midori Gardens has it all. But this is nothing what you see anywhere else. A staff of 5 trained by her, manages the daily tending and care for the studio.
Branching out
The studio has spread its branches with a place nearby serving as the warehouse for the planters and another one for the plants. You’ll also find Midori Gardens blooming in the heart of Panaji, Goa — in a charming collaboration with Lokmanya Society’s Surya Kiran hotel. Beena has brought her signature green aesthetic to their beautiful Heritage Bistro, a serene garden café where Midori curates every plant and planter you see — and yes, they’re all for sale too. Her dedicated staff ensures that the plants stay healthy and happy, while the friendly bistro team assists with sales and inquiries.
Bearing fruits
After 4 years, Midori Gardens has quietly redefined plant décor in Belagavi, setting a benchmark for what a local, passion-led business can achieve. Midori Gardens is now also set to launch a new initiative, Leaf a Mark that aims to plant thousands of trees across select locations in Belagavi. It has tied up with local volunteers and plans are afoot to enhance Belagavi’s green coverage.
Beena Sambargimath’s journey is a compelling case study in entrepreneurial reinvention, reminding us that creativity, grit, and timing can converge in the most unexpected ways—and that sometimes, the seeds of a great business sown on a quiet balcony overlooking the sea in Chennai can sprout wonders in Belagavi’s soil.
Connect with Beena at :
Midori the garden studio, No 16, 2nd main, 2nd Cross, Sadashivnagar, Belagavi
Ph: 9677126998
Instagram: @Midori_gardens
Facebook: Midori gardens
Email – [email protected]
Green is the way forward.