Laura turns passion for plants into a growing business
AWOMAN who loves plants has turned her hobby into her day job.
Dr Laura Jenkins, from Swansea, has always loved plants, and currently keeps more than 100 in her apartment.
A year ago she started a blog, and soon found herself offering advice to people all over the world – and is now a plant stylist.
Plant styling is essentially interior design - but with plants. When she’s working, Laura considers things including the space involved, lighting, temperature – and decides which plants will beautify the room best.
It’s an unusual skill, one which Laura says she is best suited to with her photographer’s eye.
The 31-year-old said she was recently asked to style the conservatory of the National Trust’s stunning Newton House, at Dinefwr Park.
Laura said: “The manager of the house asked someone she knew to style the conservatory. I was asked to install and style plants for the room, which is really gorgeous. It’s on the second floor and overlooks the grounds, so there is quite a view.
“This is the first project I’ve ever done like this. Normally I just run my blog and Instagram account, but I’d love to do more of this sort of styling.
“I think a lot of businesses, like restaurants or offices, could really benefit from the greenery.
“I finished my doctorate in art and philosophy and figured I’d go on to do academia. I’m a really creative person though, and despite loving research I knew I had to do more.”
“I started my blog a year ago on how to care for houseplants, and other tips and advice, and then decided to start the Instagram account. I’m photography trained so it was perhaps easier for me to do that than it may be for others.
“Very quickly I gained a following, and now I have over 18,000 followers. I get messages from all over the world, everyone has questions, or wants to share their photos of their gorgeous plants.
“A few of us decided to get together and create a website called Houseplant Swap, where we can send our plants to each other. Of course we’re based in the UK because you can’t ship plants overseas. Users from all over the world can join and swap plants in their native countries.”
Laura believes her success so far is down to Instagram, rather than her website.
“I think Instagram is key, I’m not a natural social media user, so it took some getting used to. But because I’m a photographer it was a natural step.
“I posted a couple photos in the early days, and they really took off. I realised that people were actually interested.
“Then I started getting more and more traffic to the website through Instagram.
“People think that houseplants are a millennial’s trend, with the popularity of cacti and succulents, but that isn’t the case, houseplants come in all forms, and they are for everyone.”
“Even botanical prints are very fashionable, but they aren’t the same as the real lush jungle plants.
“My top tip to people looking to keep a houseplant is to know your space. You have to look at where you want to keep the plant and then decide on which one will suit the light. Not all plants can live in shade, or direct sunlight so do your research.
“It’s easier than you think to keep plants, aloe vera is a very easy example, but it does depend on the plant. It’s important to pick a plant that suits your lifestyle.”
Laura’s home is full of around 160 plants - which she says can feel like having a pet!
“I’ve got about 130 plants at home, and 30 more out on my balcony.
“When I go away for more than a week I do have to get people to come over and water them, it’s like having a pet because I do worry about them.
“To people who aren’t into plants, it is very weird, but there’s something so qualitative and calming about nurturing your plants. It’s a really healthy process to care for them. It’s very good for your mental health.
“It’s a wonderful process looking after them, and I fully believe that looking after plants really improves your quality of life.”