Plant Life: How Plants Can Aid in Your Wellness Routine
Photos by Cyrus Tetteh . Originally published in AphroChic magazine Issue 4, Summer 2020.
Whether you’re looking to be an expert home gardener growing your own salads and herbs, or just a capable plant parent able to keep things green for as long as possible, the world of plants has become one of the biggest home trends of 2020. Sustainable, affordable, and with big benefits for health and wellness, plant life is attracting a growing number of homeowners — especially millennials — who are looking to breathe new life into their spaces. And with so many of us only able to watch the seasons change through our windows, who wouldn’t love to bring a bit of the outdoors in? Growing along with the trend, a whole new crop of brands have sprung up, ready to help you not only find the perfect plants for your home, but care for them as well. We sat down with Evann E. Webb, the woman who runs social media for the Detroit-based brand Bloomscape to discuss all things plants and wellness.
AphroChic: The houseplant industry is thriving right now, especially among millennials. Why do you think that is?
Evann E. Webb: Millennials aren’t settling down or making super heavy commitments at the same ages our parents were. And it’s not because we don’t want to. It’s because a lot of us can’t right now. The economy isn’t set up in a way that makes starting a family or buying a forever home ideal for us at the moment. So many of us have hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans, are still looking for jobs that pay us reasonable salaries, and to put it more plainly — trying to figure things out for ourselves. Buying plants still allows us to make rental spaces feel like home, and gives us the opportunity to care of something other than ourselves — without having to break the bank!
AC: What plants do you have at home and what does your plant care routine look like?
EW: Right now, I have a ZZ Plant, a Bird of Paradise, and two Philodendron Heartleafs. Since I’ve been working from home for the past few months, I’ve been making it a habit to mist my Bird of Paradise and Philodendron Heartleafs every day, and on the weekends I check the plants’ soil to see if they need to be watered. Being cooped up in the house has definitely made me reevaluate my space, and I’ll be ordering some more plants and plant stands soon! I need all the green I can get right now.
AC: The last few months have definitely been challenging with an ongoing pandemic. As we physically distance and spend more time inside, how can caring for plants be part of our self-care routine?
EW: Caring for plants is a meditative practice. It allows you to take a step away from the computer, phone and television and focus on the present. Turning on some relaxing music and taking an hour or two each week to water, trim, mist or re-pot really is soothing.
AC: Part of the difficulty in caring for plants is the level of care that some plants require. How does Bloomscape help those who might be green thumb-challenged pick the right options for their lifestyle?
EW: Some of the easiest plants to care for that we offer are the Bird of Paradise, our Tough Stuff Collection, the Monstera, the Silver Pothos and the Hedgehog Aloe. With each order, we give every customer detailed care instructions. Information can be found right on the care card, and we have a series of blog posts that feature different care tips and educational info from our resident Plant Mom that are always available to read.
AC: Just as different plants require their own levels of care, they can have different roles in the home. What are the best plants that we can have at home with us right now that will help us have a cleaner, healthier environment? Are there some you like best for decorating?
EW: I love how my four little plant babies have transformed my space. It’s so interesting how no matter what your style of decor is, there’s a plant that can help tie everything together. Some of the best plants to have at home are the Sansevieria (it helps to purify the air), the Money Tree, our Fur Friendly Collection (for all the pet parents out there), the Red Pear Plant, and the Bamboo Palm.
AC: So many people we know (including us) who have tried keeping plants in their apartment have horror stories about how hard it is, and guilt over what happened to their little green friends. What are the steps to being good plant parents?
EW: I’m still learning how to be a good plant parent myself. Lol! To me, the first step is practicing patience. Plants are living things, and some of them are quite sensitive. So understanding that, and realizing that you’re not going to see immediate growth overnight, is really important. Also, give yourself some grace. It’s a natural thing to feel sad when your plant journey isn’t going well (I have admittedly killed my fair share of plants), but I’m learning that a lot of this is trial and error. I know now that plants that require a ton of TLC aren’t my thing, so I try to stick to more low-maintenance ones. Learning what works best for you and your everyday schedule or routine will definitely be helpful in the long run.
AC: One last question. With so many companies offering plants right now, what sets Bloomscape apart from other plant brands?
EW: The company’s desire to see its customers succeed as plant parents. When you order a plant from Bloomscape, you get detailed instructions on how to care for it, from what kind of light it needs all the way down to humidity and how often you should fertilize it. Plus, we make it easy for customers to contact us if they need any extra help or advice.
Explore the Aesthetic
