OBAA Finalist and Winner Spotlight: CosMic Plants

Category: Agri-Business of the Year (Winner), Large Business of the Year (Finalist)
Location: 4665 Bartlett Road, Beamsville ON L3J0Z2
Website: https://www.cosmicplants.com/

Left to right: Lynda O'Donnell, Manager of Community Engagement at Community Care of West Niagara, Connor van Steekelenburg, Co-Owner of CosMic Plants, Neil van Steekelenburg, Co-Owner of CosMic Plants.

We’re proud to highlight CosMic Plants as the winner of the Agri-Business of the Year award, and finalist for the Large Business of the Year at the 2025 Outstanding Business Achievement Awards.

About

CosMic Plants is a family-run orchid greenhouse in the Niagara Region, producing more than one million premium Phalaenopsis orchids every year. Their mission is to elevate the floral industry through exceptional plant quality, innovative product development, and unmatched retailer support.

They are known for their craftsmanship and consistency, grounded in the belief that growing beautiful orchids begins with responsibility—to our plants, our people, and our planet.

Sustainability is core to how they operate. CosMic Plants is proudly MPS-certified, demonstrating their commitment to environmentally responsible growing practices, including reduced energy consumption, ethical crop protection, efficient water use, and comprehensive waste management.

Their environmental stewardship extends throughout the greenhouse, from rainwater collection and LED lighting upgrades to energy-efficient climate control systems and integrated pest management strategies.

Every orchid at CosMic Plants begins its life in tissue culture, ensuring genetic strength, plant health, and extraordinary uniformity. From this early stage through to the final flowering plant, their growing program combines advanced horticultural science with hands-on expertise. This disciplined and sustainable approach enables them to deliver consistently premium orchids while reducing environmental impact and supporting long-term agricultural resilience.

Drone viewpoint of the exterior of the CosMic Plants facility

What Makes Them Exceptional

CosMic Plants stands out for their commitment to innovation, community involvement, customer service, and sustainability. A few highlights that reflect their excellence include:

Production of Over One Million Premium Orchids Annually

Through advanced greenhouse technology, sustainable growing practices, and a relentless commitment to quality, CosMic Plants now produces more than one million orchids each year. This scale allows them to serve major retailers across North America while maintaining the artisanal standards their brand is known for.

Launch of Orchid University—A North American Retail Education Platform

In 2025, CosMic Plants launched Orchid University, an industry-leading training program designed to empower floral teams across North America. With modules focused on care, merchandising, and greenhouse insights, OU strengthens retail partners, reduces shrink, and elevates consumer success with orchids. Thousands of learners have already engaged with the platform, solidifying CosMic Plants as a leader in floral education.

Industry Leadership and Innovation Recognition

Their ongoing investment in creative product development, sustainable practices, and retailer collaboration has positioned CosMic Plants as a standout innovator in the agricultural and floricultural sectors. Being recognized as a finalist for Large Business of the Year and winner of Agri-Business of the Year reflects their commitment to excellence, growth, and community impact.

Key People Behind their Success

Every great business is powered by remarkable individuals. Key team members at CosMic Plants include:

Connor, Owner / Head of Sales & Marketing

Connor brings extensive experience in process planning and engineering, which strengthens CosMic Plants’ approach to strategic sales development and customer partnership. As an owner, he leads all Sales and Marketing initiatives, ensuring retailers across North America receive exceptional service, innovative programs, and strong brand support.

Neil, Owner / Finance & Operations Leadership

Neil brings decades of experience in both orchid growing and greenhouse management, paired with deep expertise in finance and financial planning. As an owner, he oversees all major operations across every department, providing leadership that ensures stability, efficiency, and the long-term sustainability of the business.

Arjan, Director of Operations

With over 20 years at CosMic Plants, Arjan is the driving force behind daily greenhouse excellence. As Director of Operations, he oversees all growing, crop selection, and planning, along with greenhouse operations, logistics, warehouse management, and staffing. His leadership ensures that more than one million orchids each year are grown to the highest standards of quality and consistency.

Their skills, passion, and leadership are essential to the organization’s continued growth and impact.

Why We’re Celebrating Them

The Outstanding Business Achievement Awards recognize organizations that enrich and strengthen our region. As a 2025 OBAA award winner and finalist, CosMic Plants exemplifies the spirit of innovation, community leadership, and excellence that defines our business community.

We’re proud to celebrate and spotlight their contributions and achievements.

Exterior of the CosMic Plants facility taken from the parking lot

Stay up to date with CosMic Plants:

Contact:
T 905 562 9389
F 905 562 9390
E info@cosmicplants.com