Xplanta is an ethnobotanical garden of forbidden and strange plants and we hold classes on the cultivation, propagation and use of these plants.

• Most classes are held in our roof-top gardens on the Rio Cuale in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, accessed by 2 flights of a spiral staircase. Some classes are held in our restaurant, Mordidas, on a lower level of the same building.
• Who we are…
• Class size is very limited.
• The classes are taught in English
• Most Classes are free (some are not).
• Preregistration is necessary for each class (ojorojo@xplanta.com).
• Attendees receive a 30% discount on any plant purchases during the class.

Classes are taught by Rick and Sarah Hepting, the creators and past owners (from 1990 to 2006) of Theatrum Botanicum, a commercial rare plant nursery in Mendocino County, California, USA. Theatrum Botanicum was resurrected here in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in 2018.
THE 2025 CLASS SCHEDULE:

• BALCONY GARDENING – Sunday, March 9, 1 pm. A basic class on the secrets of growing plants on rooftops and balconies in Puerto Vallarta. FREE but advance registration is necessary.

THE 2024 CLASS SCHEDULE:

• SOLSTICE PLANT SALE – Saturday, December 23, noon to 5pm. Just another sale of strange plants at middle of winter prices.
• BEYOND FIRST SIGHT — An overview of Xplanta and the ethnobotanical plants that grow here. Available at any time by appointment. This private tour/class is limited to 1 – 3 people for each class. The price is $100 pesos per person.

THE 2023 CLASS SCHEDULE:

• GARDENING FOR GRINGOS (and others)
  An introductory class on growing plants in Puerto Vallarta.
  FREE
• ABSINTHE – An evening class dedicated to the elixir that inspired a generation of artists, poets and ne’er-do-wells. Five types of absinthe will be tasted and a recipe pamphlet is included with old and new absinthe recipes that I’ve collected over the years. This class is 200 pesos.
• FULL MOON GARDENING
• MEXICAN SHAMANTIC PLANTS FREE
• APHRODISIACS – An evening class emphasizing aphrodisiac plants. Includes a tasting of damiana liqueurs (one of which is 70 years old) and samples of other herbal aphrodisiacs. This class is 200 pesos.
• DREAMS / SLEEP – Heimia, Calea, Poppies, Datura & Brugmansia…
• SCENTS – Jasmines, Gingers, Night-scented plants… FREE
• UNUSUAL CULINARY HERBS
• STIMULATING PLANTS
  Khat, Kratom, Yerba Mate, Coffee, Chocolate… Growing and using the stimulant plants that grow well in Vallarta. Sampling. FREE
• PLANT SEX – (Plant propagation methods). All you ever wanted to know about the down and dirty side of plant reproduction. FREE