Jungle Mamas is a new plant and flower shop in downtown San Clemente tucked behind where Poke + Roll Sushi used to be at 129 Avenida Del Mar. Just follow the speakeasy type entrance along a brick path, past plants, Zen Buddha statues and rows of brightly colored flowers to find the place where customers can pick their own bouquet. 

Owner Susie Lobos invites shoppers into her cozy store under a neon sign that says, “Welcome to the Jungle.” Once inside, the area includes tropical trees that reach to the ceiling, plus a wall of colorful flowers at the entrance, along with a cacti garden, and gifts of jewelry, candles, and cards. A favorite of the kids are the bio-active tanks (terrariums) with live geckos. There’s also a potting station where customers can learn how to pot.

Some people might recognize Susie’s exotic plant and flower arrangements from her debut on Del Mar last year in a seasonal pop-up next door to Nick’s in the previous Oliver’s location. She is now thrilled to say she has her own shop just up the street in the 100 block. 

A San Clemente resident for ten years, Susie started her plant and flower business during Covid. Due to the pandemic, her business as a fitness trainer and Zumba instructor had to be shut down five years ago. With her entrepreneurial spirit, she pursued her interest in plants when she cared for her dying grandmother in downtown Los Angeles. Because of her abuela’s love for plants and flowers, especially orchids, Susie became a quick study. With extensive plant research, she got started selling exotic cuttings online, especially the Swiss Cheese Monstera, a fast-growing tropical vining plant. With her newfound creative business opportunity, she worked at Brown’s Flowers in Dana Point to continue to feed her passion and hone her expertise. She currently, has a green license and is certified to sell her product. She purchases most of her plants and flowers from growers in San Marcos, and has a green house in her backyard with eventual plans for a grow house.

Born in El Salvador, Susie was six months old when she and her family became citizens through a Ronald Reagan sponsorship in the City of Los Angeles in 1981. She lives in San Clemente with her partner Scott Wigglesworth, who has his own business as an independent payroll service provider. They have a five-year old daughter, Amaya. Susie has two grown sons as well, Danny who’s in the Airforce and Robert, a wildland firefighter. Her hobbies are working out, cooking, and eating healthy.