AphroChic Magazine: Issue No. 4

Wellness
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.
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