Why subscribe to A Houseplant Journal?
A Houseplant Journal is a newsletter on caring for 120+ houseplants and uncovering the historical, social + environmental stories behind them.
In it I share my adventures and experiments in caring for my collection of houseplants, as well as essays on the history of houseplants, houseplants and environmental imperialism, interviews with experts and collectors about sustainability and more on inviting a little bit of nature into our homes.
Houseplants give me joy.
I love observing them, seeing how they react to different circumstances. I love that moment in the early Spring when the light changes and the plants seem to know it before I do. And, similarly, in early Autumn, when they adapt their water needs before I even realise that the light has changed.
I love learning about houseplants. I love experimenting with the best place to put them, with how often to water them. They sometimes puzzle me. They surprise me and delight me with new leaves and the occasional flower.
As much as I love looking at pictures of perfectly manicured plants, this is not the reality of my houseplant life. And as well as sharing favourites, strategies and stories, in A Houseplant Journal I’ll also be sharing about the imperfections. In short, about the reality of caring for houseplants.
If you share this passion for and curiosity about houseplants, A Houseplant Journal is the place for you.
Freelance or small business owner?
If you don’t only love houseplants, but also work freelance or in your own small business, my other Substack Female Owned is just the thing for you. Female Owned is about small business without the hustle, and offers strategy and community for small business owners who want to run their business away from the (productivity/hustle call/24/7) norm.
What you can expect from A Houseplant Journal
By subscribing you’ll never miss a single edition of the newsletter. And, you’ll be part of a community around houseplant lovers that I want to build right here on Substack.
I’d love for you to join me.
A Houseplant Journal appears roughly every two weeks, with posts on:
my best tips on caring for plants
answering your questions on houseplants (such as, is it okay to cut off my plant’s ugly leaves?)
how to observe your plants (and love them even more)
threads around your favourite houseplants, caring for houseplants and more.
Who am I?
Hi, I’m Astrid.
I’m a houseplant-collecting, tea-drinking, book-reading small business mentor with a PhD in English Lit.
I’m a self-taught houseplant collector currently caring for 120+ houseplants. I’m naturally curious, and tend to get slightly obsessive about the things I’m interested in. Over the past six years, I’ve learned loads about houseplants, through trial-and-error (RIP the plants I lost), by doing experiments and talking to experts.
When I’m not observing, watering, pruning or generally enjoying my plants, I work as a small business mentor. I have a part-time job in higher education, where I get paid to read books and then talk about them for hours.
I love writing and always have. A Houseplant Journal is my way of combining the best of two worlds.
