Daphne

I’ve always had a few plants to care for around the house. The aesthetic was just something I always found appealing. I’ve always believed that they were “fresh air machines”. I’d hear my mom say that all the time when I was growing up. In 2019, they became so much more to me. I moved to Michigan full time while my husband, Clint, stayed behind in Chicago to finish his final year before retirement. So there I was, just me, my two dogs Jax and Gunnar, and a few house plants creating a new life in Michigan.

Then my son’s now fiancé Stephanie gave me my first monstera plant. I couldn’t believe how well she grew in the sun of the lakeside windows. From there I learned how to propagate it, thus beginning the sisterhood of the traveling plants, as we lovingly like to call it. New monsteras made their way to family all across the country and it has created a new kind of bond with those people. The addiction to nurturing and caring for my plants became all too real. Inspiration struck and I contacted my friend and owner of Evergreen Plant Co in Greenville, IL, Janie to get the dirt on the ins and outs of the plant business.

Stephanie

In 2018 my parents decided to move to Kansas City, MO. My father’s health was rapidly declining at the time and would be better taken care of in his new home with my sister and family. I was left in my childhood home to finish cleaning it out and find storage for the years of memories. Similar to Daphne, it was just me, my golden retriever Blink, and a handful of house plants my mom left behind. I was dedicated to keeping them alive as it helped me feel a connection to them from across the country. After a few succulent and cactus additions, I quickly learned the therapeutic powers of plant care.

Fast forward a couple of years and moves later, I went from 15 small house plants to 60+ house plants of all sizes and varieties. I’ve always suffered from anxiety and depression and can attest to the mental health benefits of plant care. The connection with nature, working with the soil, and creating life has done wonders for my inner peace. The propagation and sharing of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Plant monstera leaves has created such a wonderful bond with my family and future in-laws. The wonder of plant care has been a one of a kind healing adventure for me and it has only just begun.