And as the protests against racial injustice continue, a lot of people are looking for ways to follow and boost Black business owners, artists and creators. One way to do that is by following people on Instagram.
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Here at L.A. Times Plants, we love “plantfluencers” — people whose Instagram feeds and Stories are abundantly verdant. Here are some of our favorite Black plantfluencers, plant stylists, floral artists, enthusiasts, experts, and garden store owners to follow on Instagram.
Ten months ago, Tommy Engström quit his job in ad sales, packed up his Chicago apartment and drove to Los Angeles.
@unknownsucculents
James in San Leandro, Calif., posts plant sales, care tips, and occasionally succulent-themed raps. Learn more about him in his website bio at unknownsucculents.com.
@botanicalblackgirl
Plant enthusiast Stephanie currently lives in Alabama but is originally from St. Louis. She originated the hashtags #BotanicalBlackGirl and #BlackHandsGreenThumb.
View this post on Instagram
Hey y’all ?? I’m Stephanie, and my hair has major shrinkage on one side in this photo ??♀️. Anywho, I’m seeing lots of new followers and since I rarely show my face I figured I’d pop in, say what’s up and introduce myself. . So yeaaa, I’m Stephanie. A Saint Louis native, currently residing in Northern Alabama. Imma 33 year old mom of one teenage human and 85+ plant babies. Currently pulling my hair out in grad school trying to rack up degrees in hopes of getting more moolah ??♀️ (that’s high key problematic, but we can discuss the pitfalls in American higher education systems another day). . If I’m not parenting, showing my plants love, or studying, you can find me in the kitchen baking or pinning way too many Pinterest experiments that won’t actually be completed. ? . Now—PLANTS! Like many others, the intrigue of plants has always been prevalent but for me it certainly got kicked up a notch when I purchased my first home and wanted to fill up my space with more life. This of course was exacerbated due to COVID-19 with my online spending habits at an all time high ??♀️… but hey, it could be something worse, right?! . I’m always learning but I know a lil something something. If you have any questions or would like to collab, feel free to DM me. . . . . . . . #botanicalblackgirl #blackhandsgreenthumb #fyeassplants #blackgirlswithgardens #selfcare #blackwithplants #blackplanters #plantsmakepeoplehappy #greenthumb #plantlover #plantgang #discovertheplantcommunity #crazyplantpeople #plantstagram #urbanjungle #livingwithplants #indoorgarden #houseplantclub #moreismoredecor #plantinterior #foliage #instaplants #plantmagic #blackgirlsgardening #officialplantfever #melanatedandplanted #blackpeoplewithplants #noirplantclub #houseofplantlovers #coolassblackwoman
A post shared by S T E P H A N I E ?✊?? (@botanicalblackgirl) on
@terracottahotties
Atlanta native and “your favorite Plant Auntie” Katura posts plant care, tips and advice for indoor gardeners.
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Since I haven’t truly done an “official” introduction & there are a lot of new beautiful faces that have joined my plant community, I figured what better time than now, to tell you a little bit about myself! My name is Katura (Ka-TORE-UH), I’m an Atlanta native, a photographer over here ?? @k.atura & I have a passion for plants! I purchased my first plant in 2018, a fiddle leaf fig named Harold, who you’ve probably already seen on my feed! Since then, my plant family has grown to 28 plant babies! I also offer plant rehab, for struggling plants and currently have 7 recovering plants that I’m nurturing back to health, for a few close friends! I started this page with the intent to provide plant care advice, share my struggles and successes with my plant babies and to meet other plarent’s around the world. In the short time of starting Terra Cotta Hotties, I’ve connected with some of the most amazing people, I’ve been welcomed with a tremendous amount of love & I am truly thankful for each & every one of you! Please don’t be shy! I love connecting with you all & can’t wait to share all my plant love! Plant questions? Send me a DM or leave a comment below!! . Here’s to my new Terra Cotta Hottie Family! ???? . #terracottapots #terracottahotties #plantauntie #indoorplants #plants #plantrehab #indoorplants #plantsofinstagram #indoorhouseplants #blackgirlsgardening #blackgirlswhogarden #fyeassplants #urbanjungle #plantenthusiast #plantlife #iloveplants #plantlife #crazyplantpeople #noirplantclub
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@logansgardens
Jimmy Williams started Logan’s Gardens almost two decades ago in Silver Lake. Today, Jimmy and his son Logan run the nursery and landscaping business and sell plants at the Santa Monica Farmers Market and the Hollywood Farmers Market.
Jimmy Williams and his son Logan are black owners of a popular Silver Lake nursery that sells organic vegetable plants and builds gardens for the rich and famous, but that didn’t stop the police from pulling them over in their work van one day, saying, ‘We’ve had several robberies in the area.’
@eargardn
Plant stylist, plant consultant and set designer Bri offers virtual plant consultations and posts photos of her “East Atlanta Eden.”
@plantsalonchicago
Nika Vaughan posts photos of the plants and natural skincare products available at her store in Chicago. Her highlights include advice on propagating and sharing her shop’s private collection.
(Photo by @jeremylawsonphotography)
@hiltoncarter
Baltimore plant stylist Hilton Carter wrote the books “Wild Interiors: Beautiful plants in beautiful spaces” and “Wild at Home: How to style and care for beautiful plants”. He also offers classes on propagating plants.
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It’s been so great seeing how many people of all different shades have been using their voices and power to protest in the streets, speak out via their platforms and listen to one another, in a movement for change. We need better. We deserve better! Let’s get it! ✊?? Over the past week many of you have shared my account with your friends and I’m thankful to see so many new faces. While it’s been overwhelming, the amount of positivity and love that has been flowing in my DMs and messages has been breathtaking. So if you’re new, welcome! ?? What you should know about me, if it hasn’t come across, is that I’m really into plants. I mean, I’m REALLY in to plants. But I’m an artist first and foremost and I love talking about how you can bring plants into a space, in creative ways, to change its look and feel. Thats basically what you’re going to get from me here. I’m also YOUNG, BLACK and BEAUTIFUL, so I might have to remind you of that ever so often. ?? If you’re down for that, please enjoy the ride. If you’re not…??♂️ Lastly, its been great seeing all of you that have been joining my virtual propagation classes. It’s a nice break in the day to talk about something many of us are passionate about. Keep growing my friends! Stay safe and of course, stay WILD!
A post shared by Hilton Carter (@hiltoncarter) on
Christopher Griffin has built an Instagram following of more than 180,000 with an infectious smile and community building through plants.
@blackgirlsgardening
Plant consultant Amber in Wilmington, N.C., features photos of her garden and recent acquisitions, along with posts from around Instagram tagged #blackgirlsgardening and #blackgirlswhogarden.
@bloomandplume
Artist and florist Maurice Harris — recently profiled in LA Magazine — also runs Bloom and Plume Coffee in L.A.’s Historic Filipinotown neighborhood.
@birdsandbeesnursery
Plant shop co-owners Caitlin Gaul and Amanda Simard sell plants, pottery, cards and gifts from their nursery in Portland, Ore. They use Instagram to post updates about what they have in stock and photos of their store.
As coronavirus restrictions lift, firms are getting back to business and hoping for your support. Here’s a list.
@bradfordbotanicalco
Atlanta plant dealer Ryann Bradford runs Bradford Botanical & Co., a mobile boutique that sells plants as well as art, music and literature. She also does consultations for home, office, restaurants, weddings and movie and music video sets.
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So I did a thing… (Backstory) For my entire adult life, I’ve struggled with the idea of what the American dream really looked and felt like for me. Ultimately, I knew I wanted to find a life partner, build a legacy, and be successful, but wasn’t quite sure what I was really passionate about. After graduating college I did what most young adults do…fall into the typical corporate 9 to 5 rat race and settle with life being as such. Every interview I went on I would cover up my tattoos, straighten my hair, and throw on a pencil skirt to appear more feminine. I even chose to not wear my wedding ring during interviews just to avoid being asked about my “husband” since most people assumed I would be married to a man or to avoid being asked if I had kids. I was crazy as hell for thinking I needed to do all of this for a job that I wouldn’t give two shits about. Being black AND a woman I felt the cards were already stacked against me so I would need to water myself down just to get my foot in the door. In the end, these major corporations didn’t give a damn about my need to support my family so here I am now, currently laid off due to COVID with nothing but time on my hands to take a deep dive into my first business @bradfordbotanicalco. A business that I can truthfully say I’m passionate about…the kind that makes MY soul happy! Super excited to share my vision of the business over the next few months and how I plan to specifically create positive change and spread joy within the black community…all while being the tattooed, queer black woman and full-time mom that I’m proud to be. ✨
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@soulsistaplants
Cincinnati plant consultant and stylist Lucrecer is “on a mission to help my friends not kill their plants.”
Garden Marcus shares gardening tips and wise words from his garden in Houston. He lives by the motto “kindness, patience and positivity.”
@lillithplantshop
Starsha runs pop-up plant sales and workshops around Washington, D.C.
@roots_sf
Plant store owner Michelle runs Roots, which offers unique and rare houseplants from its location in San Francisco’s Mission District.
@blackboyplants
A plant stylist and consultant bringing Black boys into the conversation about plants, gardening and wellness in new ways. Recently featured in Curious Tribe’s “100 Influential Black Voices.”
