Thomas Greenhouse and Gardens at the Tinley Park Reptile Expo

One of the main things I look forward to when I go to a reptile expo is hunting down the plants, particularly the Hoyas.

At the Tinley Park Reptile Expo in October 2025, I found the vendor Thomas Greenhouse and Gardens. This was the third time seeing them, if I remember correctly, and they have had an impressive display every time.

This year, they had a large variety of variegated plants that were previously considered rare and hard to get, at prices that were mind blowing. There were Thai Constellations in 4 inch pots with leaves already developing fenestrations for 25 dollars.

On the second day, you can usually get good sales on plants because vendors prefer not to take them all home. If I remember right, there was a buy two, get the third free deal.

They also had carnivorous plants and small species meant for terrariums, plants that grow in humid, closed environments. But most of the collection seemed aimed at people who collect houseplants and tropicals as a separate hobby from providing enrichment in reptile enclosures.

This vendor sets up their displays in a way that is actually fun to browse, with stands that make use of vertical space instead of just tables. It is visually commanding, you can spot them across the room.

I would say they are a staple vendor at the Tinley NARBC Reptile Expo, and I look forward to seeing them again in the future.