South Australian native plant farmer Justine Reynolds knows a thing or two about growing things from the ground up. What started as a personal pivot in the face of adversity has blossomed into Woodleigh Hills - an award-winning natural wellness brand with more than 92 stockists nationwide. And every step of that journey, from the first handmade balm to today's expanding product range, has been supported by Plasdene packaging.

From Setback to Success

When Justine launched Woodleigh Hills in August 2023, it wasn't the beginning of her passion for natural healing. For years, she ran a massage and intuitive healing practice, helping people improve their wellbeing through hands-on care. But when a health diagnosis forced her to step away from that work, she faced a choice: close the chapter or find a new way to continue helping others.

Drawing on her deep knowledge of Australian native plants, Justine began crafting small batches of healing balms using ingredients grown on her own South Australian farm. “I pivoted and leaned into my knowledge of Australian native plants and how I can provide healing in a different way”. What started as a way to stay connected to her purpose has quickly grown into a thriving business.

Today, Woodleigh Hills offers a range of balms, massage oils, hydrosols, teas, bath salts and lip balms, earning a loyal customer base and a growing presence on retail shelves across Australia.

“Our products are simple, with three ingredients or less in the core range,” says Justine. “We want to showcase the incredible power of the plants we use and provide a natural, chemical-free option for everyday skin and body care.”

Truly Farm to Jar

At a time when many brands outsource production, Woodleigh Hills takes a different approach.

Every stage of the process happens on the farm. Justine and her team grow, harvest, infuse, manufacture and label each product themselves, creating a genuinely farm-to-jar experience. Native plant leaves are harvested on-site, blended with locally sourced extra virgin olive oil and beeswax supplied by a local apiarist whose hives are housed on the property.

The business is just as focused on community as it is on craftsmanship. Justine employs local women, including two young mothers who can bring their children to work, creating a flexible and supportive workplace close to home.

Packaging That Grows With the Business

As Woodleigh Hills expanded, finding reliable packaging became increasingly important. The brand packages its products in amber glass jars and bottles, along with massage oil and hydrosol bottles, all sourced from Plasdene.

“We use amber glass because it protects our natural ingredients from light and UV exposure,” Justine explains. “Glass is also non-reactive, reusable and recyclable, which helps preserve our formulations while aligning with our sustainability values.”

Working with a fellow South Australian business has delivered benefits beyond packaging alone.

“Being local is a huge advantage, particularly when we need stock quickly,” says Justine. “The turnaround times are excellent, and having COD and local pickup options gives us the flexibility to keep production moving. Having access to such a broad product range from one supplier also means we're not constantly managing multiple suppliers as we grow.”

But for Justine, the real value lies in the relationships.

“Everyone I've dealt with at Plasdene has been friendly, helpful and professional. The office team makes ordering easy, and when I collect from the warehouse, the staff are always welcoming. As a growing business, having a supplier I can rely on makes a real difference.”

Recognition for a Growing Brand

Woodleigh Hills has recently been recognised in the prestigious Clean + Conscious Awards, taking home top honours for two standout products: Wilga Gold Family First Aid and Native Apricot Bronze Sensitive Skin. The awards are a testament to Justine's commitment to simple formulations, premium ingredients and products that let nature do the heavy lifting.

Looking Ahead

The brand is preparing to launch a new capsule product, while body wash and hair care ranges are already in development. Looking further ahead, Justine is working towards TGA recognition for the native plants used throughout her formulations - an ambitious but important step in helping elevate the role of Australian native botanicals in modern natural health.

Growing Together

Behind every Woodleigh Hills product is a commitment to quality, consistency and care, values that extend beyond the farm gate to the suppliers Justine chooses to work with.

As the business has grown from a small-scale operation to a nationally stocked brand, Plasdene has remained a trusted packaging partner, providing the reliability, flexibility and local support needed to keep pace with demand. From supplying amber glass packaging that protects the integrity of the formulations to offering fast turnaround times and dependable service, the partnership has helped Woodleigh Hills focus on what it does best: creating natural products powered by Australian native plants.

For Justine, working with Plasdene is about more than packaging. “As a small business, having suppliers you can trust is invaluable,” she says. “Plasdene has consistently delivered great service, quality products and the flexibility we need as we continue to grow. It's a partnership that gives us confidence for the future.”

As Woodleigh Hills expands into new categories and reaches more customers around Australia, it's a partnership we’re proud of, that continues to support the brand's next chapter.

To explore the full Woodleigh Hills range or find a stockist near you, visit woodleighhills.au or follow the brand on Instagram and Facebook.