About Only Plants

Plants Will Save the World – that’s the vision that drives us at Only Plants. Imagine a world where every meal not only nourishes you but also supports local farmers, sustains the planet, and leverages the power of science to enhance life. This is the world Only Plants is creating.

As part of the global push for sustainability, Only Plants champions solutions that tackle food security, reduce waste, and promote healthier lifestyles.

"From seed to plate, it’s no easy feat,
But Only Plants strives to make it complete."

At Only Plants, we’re not just participants in the sustainability movement—we’re innovators, leading the way in building smarter, more equitable food systems. We bring together cutting-edge science and timeless traditions to create sustainable food solutions that are smarter, healthier, and deeply connected to the planet. Our mission is to create a smart diet that saves time, boosts life energy, and reconnects people with pure, sustainable, and local food.

Fixing a Broken Food System

The global food system is broken. Technology becomes cheaper, yet food grows more expensive and less nutritious—a clear indication that something must change.

Think about this: while food prices rise, its nutritional value declines. What’s on your plate today may be less nourishing than it was a decade ago. We believe that’s unacceptable.

At Only Plants, we’ve developed a Food System Fixing Theory, which emphasizes:

Restoring the balance between food production and nutritional value.

Using technology to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and accessibility.

Shortening food supply chains to connect producers and consumers more directly.

We believe food should be affordable, nourishing, and produced sustainably. This vision drives our work as we aim to repair what’s broken and build a healthier, more equitable food system for everyone.

This vision isn’t just theoretical—it’s backed by rigorous science and practical solutions that drive everything we do.

For the past six years, we’ve been growing microgreens, herbs, and seedlings in our indoor vertical farm in Zagreb. It hasn’t been an easy journey—we’ve navigated through two COVID-19 lockdowns, two devastating earthquakes, and the challenges of launching a business in uncertain times.

Science at the Core

At Only Plants, our foundation is built on the intersection of two PhD research areas—one focused on machine learning and the other on nutritional optimization—forming a unique synergy that drives our innovations.

The first research area focuses on optimizing LED light spectra to enhance the nutritional quality of plants in sustainable indoor vertical farming systems. This research has shown how specific light wavelengths, significantly influence plant metabolism, boosting antioxidant capacity and specialized metabolites (SMs) in plants. By leveraging this knowledge, we cultivate nutrient-dense crops that maximize their health benefits.

The second area explores the application of machine learning to behavioral patterns, particularly information behavior and socio-cognitive characteristics, which can be extended to lifestyle and dietary habits. This research delves into how data can predict user behaviors and preferences, enabling us to design adaptive food systems that respond to individual needs. The result? Personalized dietary solutions that align with health and sustainability goals.

Together, these research areas create the sweet spot where machine learning meets nutrient synergy, forming the scientific foundation for all our innovations.

Our unique blend of precision agriculture and machine learning puts Only Plants at the cutting edge of food innovation, creating products unlike anything else on the market. Together, these two fields create the sweet spot where machine learning meets nutrient synergy, the foundation of all our products and solutions.

This intersection enables us to:

Develop plants with optimized nutritional profiles, from microgreens to other functional foods.

Create adaptive food systems that respond to users’ health and lifestyle needs.

Provide nutrient-rich solutions that tackle insufficient diets and modern nutritional challenges.

Offer B2B partnerships to co-develop plant-based ingredients and customized nutritional solutions.

Collaborate on innovative R&D projects, integrating advanced farming techniques with cutting-edge data science.

Introduce sustainable solutions for both individual consumers and businesses, focusing on health and environmental impact.

Explore new product formats, such as powders, capsules, and ready-to-eat meals, that maximize nutritional efficiency.

This synergy not only shapes our vision for smart sustainable diets but also sets the stage for innovative, life-enhancing food solutions tailored to modern challenges.

From Farmers' Market to Innovation Local Food Hub

What started as selling fresh microgreens at the farmers' market evolved into a unique operation combining vertical farming, food processing, and direct customer engagement. Inspired by my farming grandparents, I initially preserved unsold produce by drying it. In those early days at the farmers' market, every sale was a step toward proving that microgreens could be more than just a garnish—they could be a powerhouse of nutrients.

This effort led to the creation of our first product, Only Plants 01—dried and encapsulated microgreens (affectionately called "đepna salata" or pocket salad). With each step, we’ve learned to “hunt for nutrients,” optimizing every stage from seed to meal. This process laid the foundation for our second product, created through a business-to-business partnership, and positioned us as innovators in nutrient-focused food production.

Each meal served at our buffet tells a story—of sustainable farming, local partnerships, and a commitment to quality that starts with a single seed. From those humble beginnings at the farmers’ market to becoming a hub for innovation in food science, we’ve stayed true to our mission: to create smarter, more sustainable food systems for everyone.

Our Philosophy

At Only Plants, everything we do revolves around five core values:

Pure: Clean, high-quality ingredients with no compromises.
Nutritional: Maximizing the health benefits of every bite.
Practical: Convenient solutions for modern lifestyles.
Local: Supporting local farmers and businesses.
Sustainable: Prioritizing the planet with every decision.

Our message is simple: “Hrvatska hrana za hrvatskog čovjeka, po humanim uvjetima” – Croatian food for Croatian people, made under humane conditions.

Join Us

Whether you’re a sustainability enthusiast, a health-conscious individual, or a forward-thinking business, Only Plants is your partner in building a healthier, more sustainable future. The time to act is now. Together, we can transform how we grow, consume, and think about food—because every small step toward sustainability makes a big difference. By joining us, you’re becoming part of a global movement to redefine how food supports people and the planet. Visit our website to learn more or get involved today.