What if the fewer the plants, the bigger the impact? Right now my house is a construction zone, and my plants are on their own. I have an eight-week-old baby, a '70s house we gutted mid-pregnancy, and a carpeted garage. So yes, a few plants have died. But something else is happening too! My taste is changing. I'm letting go of a lot of little plants, and I want one big beautiful plant for my bathroom instead. In fact, my friend Samantha Hermann of @houseplusplant and I are both in a transitional season of life. She’s moving into a house she designed around her plants... and cutting her collection from 300 to about 100. Here's what she taught me. Let's dive in!
In this episode, we learn:
- [01:42] Grab a mini course for whatever your plants need right now with the Growing Joy Academy!
- [02:57] Welcome back, Samantha of @houseplusplant
- [04:05] How much did her plants influence her home design aesthetic?
- [06:07] Instagram vs. reality: where do plant people actually keep their plants?
- [07:36] Cutting her collection from 300 plants down to 100 (intentional vs. collector)
- [10:11] Why she's only keeping big statement plants now
- [12:03] The guilt of letting a plant go
- [15:23] Manukora Honey
- [19:22] What is she most excited about in the new house?
- [22:20] Renovating a 1970s house while I’m pregnant!
- [24:33] Collecting pieces with a story instead of getting them off Amazon
- [25:29] What are some plant styling rules for a calm home?
- [28:21] Treating a statement plant as art!
- [30:19] What makes a plant grouping actually work?
- [32:33] Does the rule of threes work for plants?
- [33:54] Why there's always a hoya in her groupings
- [36:49] Blooming houseplants that don't get enough credit!
- [37:49] The custom window shelves she's sad to take down
- [40:00] How to build grow lights into your house (outlets, dimmers, timers, and hiding cords)
- [42:16] Why spreading plants throughout your home makes you enjoy them more
- [45:20] What makes her book House + Plant different and QR codes to her DIYs
- [47:28] Pre-orders, the October 6th release, and where to find Samantha!
Mentioned in our conversation:
For Samantha's amazing tips on how to do more with fewer plants,
check out the full show notes and blog here!
Follow Samantha:
Website
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Facebook
Thank you to our episode sponsor:
Manukora
Go to manukora.com/bloom to get up to 31% off the starter kit that includes their 850+ Manukora honey jar, 5 honey travel sticks, a wooden spoon, and a guidebook, PLUS $25 worth of free gifts!
Follow Maria and Growing Joy:
Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung
Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)
Support Growing Joy with Maria by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!
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