plant kween Archives

decorating with plants plant kween holding a plant

Interior decorating: Fun for some, overwhelming for others. Once you have the basics down — Color palette? Check. Layered textures? Check. Patterns and prints? Check. A mix of high/low, and vintage/modern furniture pieces? Check. — then it’s time to invite your friends over and get the party started. Right? Not just yet. The missing element that can truly create a living space is actually, well, living. And we’re not talking about pets.

There’s an art, and plenty of science, to decorating with plants. It’s not just about filling a corner with a palm in a pot. We asked an expert, Brooklyn-based “plantfluencer” Christopher Griffin (they/them) — also known as Plant Kween, lover of plants, fashion, and wellness — to guide us through the process and share some very loose rules for how to enliven your space with these living, breathing, beautiful creatures.

Why decorate with plants?

“It’s important to see the process of bringing plants into a home as more than simply decorating,” Griffin says. “Yes, they’re good for our mental health,” they point out, but “plants also provide us the opportunity to reconnect with nature and ourselves, especially in urban environments, and especially if you don’t have access to green areas where you live.” Plus, research has shown that plants are natural air purifiers, so they literally can help clean the air around us.

‘Decorating’ is a limiting word. This is a bigger process than that. You’re bringing nature into your home. Be curious and willing to learn.

Christopher griffin, aka plant kween

Griffin’s first plant was a marble queen pothos, which they purchased from their local hardware store when they felt their new apartment was missing something. Some 230 specimens later, they have built a 400K following on Instagram based on the idea that plants really do bring life into your home — even if you live alone.

And just as we can express ourselves through decorating, we can also use plants to showcase our style and personalities. “Our gardens can be extensions of our ‘inner gardens,'” Griffin says. “They can be a pathway to self-care.”

How to choose the right plant, room by room

First, understand that you can’t just ask what the plants can do for your space but instead what your space can do for your plants. “Think of the plant first,” Griffin says. That means considering humidity level, temperature, the type of light a room gets (natural or artificial), among other factors. “Then research each plant and match their natural habitat to your environment as much as possible.”

For example, a ZZ plant is light flexible, so it can be placed in many different locations in your space. Orchids are epiphytic, meaning they grow not in the ground but on other plants, and, therefore, can be mounted or even planted outside on the branches of trees. An aloe vera plant is pretty hardy and resilient, so if you’ve got a bad track record with plants, this one might be for you. “You want the plant to stay alive instead of going to that little botanical garden in the sky,” Griffin says.

decorating with plants plant kween posing with plants

They also suggest looking at the function of a room. For example, a bathroom, where hot showers happen daily, tends to have lots of humidity. Which plants thrive in this environment? Air plants, bromeliads, and ferns. “I like to make a little jungle in there,” they say. Or try a mini kitchen garden of herbs that you can pluck from when you’re cooking. In a bedroom, “think of some of NASA’s top-ranking, air-purifying plants so you can breathe in the most delicious oxygen during the night, like snake plants.” In other words, “play matchmaker” with plants and the form and function of a space.

Plants in (unexpected) situ

When it comes to placing plants around your home, don’t be afraid to stray from the norm. Griffin has a utility cart to wheel their plants in front of a sunny window. A bar cart is another idea. “In big cities, where space is a commodity, you may want to go vertical.” To that end, Griffin installed shelves in their Brooklyn apartment, so a lot of plants are on the walls. “They’re my living, breathing pieces of artwork shining all their lushness,” they say. “Bromeliads, air plants, staghorn ferns…you can literally hang them from a wall.”

They also suggest hanging plants from the ceiling or growing a vine along a wall, such as a pothos, spider plant, or philodendron, or letting ivy grow inside from outdoors.

Once you’ve placed your plants, then adjust. “Take some time to see how the plant likes its new space and then decide if you need to make any changes, like getting a humidifier or a grow light, or changing the placement.”

Texture is an element of interior plant design

Another factor to consider is what you want the feel of a space to be. If you’re going for softness, then blooming plants ought to be high on your list. A more spare, arid vibe should lead you to desert euphorbia, cacti, and succulents, Griffin says.

Griffin also suggests playing with plants of varying textures to create a totally original setup. Rules, after all, are meant to be broken. “It’s fun to mix and match plants that don’t usually grow together,” they say. “I kind of mix them all together to create an eclectic bunch of my ‘green gurls.'”

decorating with plants plant kween holding a snake plant in each hand

Consider plants of varying heights

Part optical illusion, part practicality, height does matter when decorating with plants. “I’m really short, so a lot of plants seem really tall to me,” jokes Griffin, who says the tallest plant they have is about 5 feet 8 inches tall.

Taller plants make a space feel smaller, and smaller plants have the opposite effect. “To make my space feel bigger, I go with shorter plants. If I had a larger space with higher ceilings, I would have higher plants,” Griffin says.

If you’re in the latter camp, a baby rubber plant might be a good choice. If the former, and you have high ceilings, a fiddle leaf fig — which can reach 10 feet in height — might be the perfect complement to your space.

Coordinating plants and decorating styles

Does the plant style need to match your décor? “Honestly, that’s the beauty of plants: You can dress them up and place them to fit any kind of home décor or ambience you are going for,” Griffin says. He cites the show “Golden Girls” (though he insists every plant on the set was fake), saying the monstera plant in their residence “fit the Florida vibe.” But that same species looks amazing in Griffin’s friend’s Brooklyn apartment that is decked out in a classic vintage maximalist style. “Plants are very flexible when it comes to the ambience and décor in our homes.” Griffin says.

Placement is another example of plants’ versatility. Try a money tree in front of a wall painted in a solid bold color for one look, or camouflaged with a leafy green jungle wallpaper behind it for a different feeling. “Just like the Pokémon character Ditto, plants can be whatever you want them to be,” Griffin says.

“’Decorating’ is a limiting word,” Griffin says. “This is a bigger process than that. You’re bringing nature into your home. Be curious and willing to learn.”

Plant Kween’s decorating picks

There’s a whole world of plants to choose from when it comes to decorating your home or apartment. Here are a few of Griffin’s favorites.

decorating with plants Marble Queen Pothos Plant — Marble Queen Pothos Plant

decorating with plants zz plant — ZZ Plant

decorating with plants Baby Rubber Plant Peperomia — *Baby Rubber Plant*

plant kween interview with pk with plant

Growing up in Philadelphia, Christopher Griffin (they/them) learned about the power and beauty of nature from their great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother — all of whom passed their love of horticulture on to them. Today, Griffin, aka Plant Kween, has more than 370K followers on Instagram, where they post updates about plant tours, shopping excursions, and tips on garden care and cultivation. The account is a window into the life of Plant Kween, who uses nature enthusiastically and daily to learn about and nurture themselves, and ultimately grow.

We caught up with Griffin to learn about their sprawling plant collection, why it’s important for queer and trans people of color to connect with nature, and tips on waking up the plant parent in all of us.

Why is nature essential to human well-being?

From the air we breathe to the food we eat, we would not be here without plants. It’s important people understand that. Also, with the way technology has uprooted us — all puns intended — it has taken us away from the basic simple beauties that nature puts before us. Bringing nature into your home is a lovely way to reconnect with that simple beauty.

How should we care for nature inside our homes and workspaces?

Do the proper research and look up the natural habitats of the plants you bring home. Are they used to growing on trees or in the shade? Try to mimic that scene for the plant, such as humidity and sunlight. Also, make sure the plant has proper room to spread its roots. They need room. And practice patience, trust in yourself, and in the plant as well.

Have you ever had a hard time with a particular plant?

I went through many fiddle-leaf figs (ficus lyrata); she’s known to be a very moody queen in the plant world, but I don’t consider her moody. She’s a queen that knows what she likes, and if you’re not going to give it to her, she’ll drop her leaves. I struggled with that plant; I kept moving her around, and she didn’t like it. She couldn’t establish herself. Many of mine are in the little botanical garden in the sky.

Plants remind us of the different ways we need to care for ourselves. We need room to grow, water, sunlight, air — I incorporate those elements into my every day.

Plant Kween

What are some tips for becoming a great plant parent?

Have a sense of curiosity. You’re caring for something living and breathing that has a history. Be curious; learn about that plant, but also learn about yourself.

For me, I over water — that’s how I kill most of my plants. I realized I’m an over-nurturer; I learned too much of a good thing can be a bad thing, so I had to adjust.

You’ve killed plants? Don’t you have a green thumb?

I don’t believe in the green thumb myth — it’s an anxiety-provoking phrase. People feel you must have these “skills” to take care of plants. That’s not true. You just have to allow yourself to learn.

plant kween interview with pk holding calathea

plant kween interview with pk standing with plants on a table

What advice do you have for someone who is feeling stressed about caring for a particular plant?

It’s a natural feeling to have; some plants are just difficult to care for.

I would encourage them to reassess. Maybe that plant is just not the plant for your space, or maybe it was not going to survive no matter what you did. I have over 225 plants, but I’m not going to even count how many plants I’ve had that trial-and-error moment with.

If a plant is stressing you out, give it away. Give it to a person who is equipped with better space or more time. I’ve given tons of plants away. I check on them, and they’re all doing great.

Research shows that talking to your plants helps them grow. Do you talk to your plants. If so, what kinds of conversations do you have with them?

Yes, I do talk to my plants sometimes, but it’s more for me than for my plants, like a motivational talk. “You are growing, girls!” It’s a reminder that I can keep growing, too; I’m like a medium having a conversation with myself.

They say the same thing about playing music for your plants. Research suggests there are soundwaves that impact the cellular interaction of the plants, which may help them grow. The more probable thing is a person speaking or playing music is providing top-level care for their plants.

Do your plants talk back? Or communicate with you?

All the time. [People] are basically houseplants with complex emotions, so a lot of things plants go through, we go through, too. Sometimes our plants get stagnant, and they stop growing — same with us. We all need room to grow. Sometimes plants need to let go of yellowing leaves and concentrate their energy elsewhere, like us. My plants speak to me, and it’s important for me to listen.

What do your plants say to you?

They tell me when they need water — that’s when they wilt. Certain plants are literally screaming at me: “Girl, I need a drink!” I investigate what are the better ways I can care for this plant, and then I do it.

How is your love for plants related to fashion or your lifestyle?

I am a person who is really inspired by the different leaf shapes of particular plants, so sometimes I use that for fashion inspiration, like a silhouette I want to wear. But on a deeper level, when you’re caring for plants in your home, there’s an appreciation for what the earth is providing. I’ve changed some of my own behaviors around sustainability and how I can be better for the planet, because I understand how fragile nature can be.

How are plants part of a wellness routine?

Studies show plants reduce our level of anxiety and stress. I have been navigating anxiety for most of my life, and plants have provided me with an opportunity to just sit still. Gardening is my meditation, so every day I interact with my plants in a very intentional way.

I’m a routine queen. I love my routine; it helps me feel grounded. Plants remind us of the different ways we need to care for ourselves. We need room to grow, water, sunlight, air — I incorporate those elements into my every day.

How are you and plants creating conversation in the QTPOC (queer and trans people of color) space?

As a Black person, and understanding some of the historical trauma that Black folks have experienced with nature, in times of slavery, it’s a reclaiming and reimagining of what that interaction can look like for me. And as a queer, non-binary person who is constantly reimagining and redefining my place in this world, my plants give me space for rest, rejuvenation, and relaxation. Plus, there’s the need for Black, queer, non-binary joy, and plants are my way to experience joy.

With regard to representation, I remember when I started the PlantKween Instagram account, I didn’t put myself in the picture. Then I started looking around the digital community and realized there can always be more Black, queer, non-binary, and trans folks engaging with horticulture. We deserve representation and visibility in these spaces.

What are some of your favorite plants?

I love succulents, mainly because there are so many different varieties in all parts of the world, which speaks to their resiliency. Another fave is, obviously, the pothos, and, in particular, the variegated version, marble queen pothos, my very first plant. And monstera deliciosa, aka the Swiss cheese plant. I have a 30-year-old one near and dear to my heart, and it has been growing wonderfully.

What are some care tips for the 2023 Plant of the Year, the calathea rattlesnake?

Calatheas are known to be queens that will brown very easily on the tips. So, my number one tip for taking care of them is to make sure they are in a humid place. Calathea are understory plants (plants that grow naturally in low-light conditions); they’re used to those humid, shaded environments. A bathroom, or any room with a humidifier, is a wonderful place for that plant. Be mindful of how you water it, too, as it may need more water than other plants.

You live in Brooklyn, where space is often limited. Do you have any advice on how plant lovers can turn their small spaces into their own personal oasis?

Get creative. I encourage folks to take time with their space. When I moved into mine, I ordered pizza and sat on the floor and mapped out the space, just watched the sun move through the space. It was so peaceful, calm, and meditative.

Get to know your space. Where are the heaters? The AC? The cold drafts? The warm drafts? Is there central air? For smaller spaces, go vertical. I put up all this shelving in my space and applied grow lights where I didn’t have a lot of lighting. I put plants on a utility cart. Get creative, have fun, and don’t stress out. That’s how to reinvigorate the plant parent within you.

Tag: plant kween

How to Decorate With Plants: Plant Kween Shares Their Best Tips