Plant Care

A mixture of foliage in front of a wooden frame that includes an asparagus fern.

Teachings

Do Houseplants Improve Mental Health?

Houseplants do more than just beautify a space—they can play a vital role in enhancing mental well-being. Scientific studies suggest that plants can reduce stress, improve concentration, and promote emotional health. In this blog, we explore the science behind how houseplants positively affect our mood and overall mental state.

A garden with a paved path lined with a triad of ground cover plants including ferns, and large acer trees hanging over the path with dropped leaves below.

Gardening Stories

How Gardens Have Evolved Over Centuries

In this blog, we explore how gardens have evolved over the centuries, and how they continue to shape our landscapes today.

Our Story

Sowvital & C.Atherley: A London Cuttings Workshop in Connaught Village

An early summer evening. A table set for propagation. Ten guests gathered in Connaught Village to explore the quiet ritual of taking cuttings. In partnership with C.Atherley, Sowvital hosted an intimate workshop rooted in care, collaboration, and the slow art of growing well.

Rows of terracotta pots with sprouted seedlings in a greenhouse with potted plants surrounding.

Gardening Stories

Ancient Gardening Techniques

Discover how ancient gardening techniques, like biological pest control and cooperative planting, are being revived today.

Someone using a Sowvital watering can to water their house plants in front of a tv.

Teachings

How To Water Houseplants While Away

Going on holiday can be stressful for plant parents, but with the right preparation, your houseplants can stay healthy and hydrated while you're away. Follow this blog to keep your plants thriving during your absence.

Interviews

Avant Gardener Profile: Cath Kidston

Meet Cath Kidston, designer, shopkeeper, and lifelong champion of considered, joyful living. From her West London home to her country greenhouse, she brings a tactile, nostalgic approach to gardening rooted in scent, memory, and play. With a love of pelargoniums and a design philosophy that treats green as the true neutral, Cath shares how instinct, restraint, and a sense of wonder shape both her spaces and her creative journey.

A monstera leaf in the sun covered in water droplets.

Teachings

How to Care for a Monstera

The Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss cheese plant, is a popular houseplant known for its large, fenestrated leaves and tropical vibes. Proper care ensures that this plant thrives and develops those signature holes in its leaves.

An orange tree with an abundance of ripe oranges.

Teachings

Growing Citrus Trees Outdoors

Learn how to successfully grow citrus trees outdoors in the UK with tips on varieties, planting, care, and seasonal maintenance.

A beautiful garden with a pond, shrubs, flowering plants and large trees.

Gardening Stories

The Etymology of Gardening

Delve into the fascinating history of "gardening," uncovering its origins, evolution, and how language reflects the timeless significance of gardens across cultures.

Three butterflies on and around a salvia flower.

Gardening Stories

Plants for Bees and Butterflies

From planting fruit trees to UK native wildflowers, this blog has everything you need to know to attract pollinators to your garden.

Teachings

Common Gardening Mistakes

Discover 10 common outdoor gardening mistakes and how to avoid them. Tips on watering, soil health, plant placement, and more for a thriving garden.

A patio scene with climbing plants, trellises, potted shrubs, and garden table and chairs with terracotta potted flowers atop.

Gardening Stories

Small Garden Ideas

Transform your small outdoor area into a lush garden with these space-saving tips for container gardening, vertical gardening, and low-maintenance plants.

A view of plants on a rooftop with a background of skyscrapers.

Gardening Stories

Urban Rooftop Gardens

Discover how urban rooftop gardens promote sustainability, reduce pollution, and enhance well-being in city living spaces.

Potted spider plants on top of a mantle piece.

Teachings

How To Care For a Spiderplant

Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are popular for their vibrant foliage, easy care, and natural air-purifying properties. They are great for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts.

Our Story

Embracing a Legacy: Our Journey with Lane Crawford

In the ever-evolving world of fashion, there are few names that resonate with the same depth and distinction as Lane Crawford. With a history that spans over 170 years, Lane Crawford is more than just a luxury department store—it’s an institution, a cultural touchstone, and a curator of craftsmanship and innovation. Today, we’re proud to share that our collection is now available in select Lane Crawford stores, marking an exciting new chapter in our brand’s journey.

Our Story

A Brief History of Selfridges: London’s Original Concept Store

In May 2025, we joined the ranks of pioneering brands stocked at Selfridges. A place where history, innovation, and design collide. But to truly understand why that matters, let’s rewind to 1909...

A young strawberry plant in a pot with unripe strawberries.

Gardening Stories

The Role of Gardens in Sustainable Living

Learn how gardens support sustainable living by conserving resources, growing local food, and fostering biodiversity for a healthier planet.

Rows of cabbage and leafy greens in soil.

Gardening Stories

Growing Giant Vegetables

Learn how to grow giant vegetables with expert tips on soil, varieties, and watering. Plus, discover world record holders and sustainable gardening practices.

A close up of a single lemon on a lemon tree.

Teachings

Growing an Indoor Lemon Tree

Discover how to grow a thriving indoor lemon tree! Get expert tips on care, sunlight, watering, and harvesting fresh, homegrown lemons.

Teachings

How To Make Flowers Last Longer

A bouquet of fresh flowers can instantly brighten up any space, but their beauty is fleeting if not properly cared for. By following these simple steps, you can significantly extend the life of your cut flowers and enjoy them for days, if not weeks, longer.

Sowvital's cut flower elixir between glasses of water with cut flowers within.

Teachings

The Sowvital Cut Flower Elixir

Extend the life of your cut flowers with Sowvital’s Cut Flower Elixir. Nourish stems and suppress bacteria for longer-lasting, fresher blooms in every vase.

Teachings

Growing Big Leaf Houseplants

Large-leaf houseplants add striking beauty to any home, but their health relies on proper care. To maintain vibrant, green leaves, it’s important to provide the right amount of light, water, nutrients, and pest control. In this blog, we’ll explore essential tips for keeping your big leaf houseplants healthy and thriving all year long.

Teachings

How Do You Propagate a Houseplant?

Learn effective techniques for propagating your favourite plants, including stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, division, root cuttings, and grafting.

Houseplant Care Routine

Creating a plant care routine is essential for keeping your houseplants healthy and thriving. For those new to indoor gardening, establishing a consistent care schedule can seem daunting. However, with a few simple steps, you can develop a routine that ensures your plants receive the right amount of water, light, and nutrients they need. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the process of setting up a plant care routine and highlight how incorporating specific care products can enhance your plants' health and vitality.

Someone sprays their plants leaves with a leaf cleaner, the Aqua Leaf Cleanser, in their home.

Teachings

How To Clean Houseplant Leaves

Dust, pests, and environmental pollutants can accumulate on the leaves, hindering photosynthesis and inviting unwanted infestations. Regular cleaning is the key to maintaining vibrant, healthy plants.

Interviews

Avant Gardener Profile: Annelies Deleu

Meet Annelies Deleu, a 33-year-old creative professional living in the Belgian countryside near Ghent. She runs a branding studio and offers creative coaching for entrepreneurs. Her journey began in digital design, leading to a master's in strategic communications and eventually her own agency. With a deep-rooted love for nature, she transformed her garden into a vibrant space that feeds both her home and creativity. Inspired by modern horticulturists, she values patience and observation, integrating these lessons into her life and work. Her favourite motto, "Curiosity can transform a discussion into a conversation," guides her approach to meaningful exchanges.

Interviews

Avant Gardener Profile: Rollo Skinner

Meet Rollo Skinner, a visionary in floral and botanical design based in London, whose creations grace the likes of Gucci, Acqua Di Parma, and Brioni. With a profound connection to nature and a journey sparked by a quest for expressive freedom, Rollo's highly technical yet whimsical designs reflect his exploration of mental health through the lens of nature. Inspired by the ancient forests of his childhood, Rollo's work emphasises sustainability and celebrates the living beauty of plants, offering joyful manifestations of complex inner thoughts.

Teachings

Best Nutrients for Houseplants

To keep houseplants thriving, providing the right nutrients is essential. Plants require a combination of macronutrients and micronutrients to support their health and growth. Understanding these needs can help you choose the best fertiliser for your indoor garden. In this blog, we shall delve into essential macro and micronutrients offering scientific explanations of their importance, also advising on fertiliser choice and how to spot nutritional deficiencies.

Teachings

Companion Planting Houseplants

Companion planting, a practice long utilised in traditional agriculture, involves growing different plants together to create mutually beneficial relationships. This method, while commonly associated with outdoor gardening, can also be adapted for houseplants, offering numerous benefits for those cultivating indoor greenery. In this blog, we'll explore the various advantages of companion planting and how it can enhance your indoor plant collection.

Interviews

Avant Gardener Profile: Ludwig Bull

Meet Ludwig Bull, a lawyer and CEO, finding solace in nature amidst his tech-oriented work life. Originally from Saxony, Germany, he values Eccleston Square's lush garden and community spirit — intrigued by the square's unique dynamics, despite its private nature.

Gardening Stories

Arranging Indoor Plants

Creating the perfect indoor plant display involves more than just placing plants around your home. It’s about curating a visually appealing and harmonious arrangement that enhances your living space while ensuring the health and longevity of your plants. In this blog, we shall explore all the factors to consider when perfecting a plant display, from choosing the right plants, to maintenance and accessibility.

Interviews

Avant Gardener Profile: Nicholas Rogers

Join us as we sat down with Tottenham based craft expert and plant lover Nicholas Rogers back in 2022. An avid ceramicist, Nicholas works with local crafters from around the UK to create bespoke pieces for the contemporary home, the influence of which can be seen throughout her apartment. The symbiotic nature of Nicholas’ two passions is perfectly embodied in the vegetable themed ceramics that line her kitchen shelves.

Teachings

Plants For The Bathroom

Transform your bathroom with plants that thrive in humidity and low light. Discover ideal plants, care tips, and the benefits of a green bathroom oasis!

Teachings

How to Treat Houseplant Pests

Learn effective strategies to treat houseplant pests like fungus gnats, including natural remedies, chemical treatments, and ongoing care tips to maintain a healthy indoor garden.

Interviews

Avant Gardener Profile: Mathieu Baboulène

Meet Mathieu Baboulène, a Parisian in Communication and Marketing, whose urban sanctuary thrives with diverse plants, notably an enchanting araucaria — inspired by Casanova Boutique, whose creativity blooms in plant care. Rooted in patience, this ritual fosters tranquillity, contributing significantly to his well-being.

Interviews

Avant Gardener Profile: Arnold d'Alger

Meet Arnold d’Alger, freelance graphic designer and illustrator with a beautiful plant collection, and founder of bazar d'Alger, an atelier with a focus on upcycling old porcelain and ceramics. Join us as we ask Arnold a little about his journey with plants, creativity, and how bazar d'Alger came to be.

Teachings

Low Maintenance Indoor Plants

Starting an indoor garden can be a rewarding experience, but choosing the right plants is crucial for ensuring success, especially for beginners. Selecting plants that are easy to care for helps build confidence and creates a thriving indoor garden. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best indoor plants for beginners, focusing on those that are resilient, low-maintenance, and forgiving.

Teachings

What Is Photosynthesis?

Light is one of the most crucial factors for plant growth and survival. For houseplant owners, understanding the importance of light and its effects on plant health can help in providing the right conditions for a thriving indoor garden. While sunlight is often considered just an external factor, it plays a central role in many physiological processes that are essential for plant life. In this blog, we will explore the science behind why plants need light, how they harness it for energy, and the implications of insufficient or excessive light exposure.

Interviews

Avant Gardener Profile: Fred Lahache

Meet Fred Lahache, photographer and keen plant enthusiast, with the belief that plants punctuate a space. Literally. Join us as he invites us into his home in the 10th Arrondissement, and discusses how plants punctuate his personal space. Exploring their growth, the spaces in which they expand, and how that suggests an affinity or interest in a particular place in his apartment over another.

Teachings

Do ZZ Plants Purify Air?

The ZZ plant is celebrated for its robustness and striking appearance, with its glossy, dark green leaves adding a touch of elegance to any indoor space. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the ZZ plant is also valued for its potential air-purifying properties. This blog delves into the scientific mechanisms by which the ZZ plant contributes to improved indoor air quality.

Interviews

Avant Gardener Profile: Margaux & Tristan

Meet Margaux and Tristan, a pair of freelance creatives residing in the northern reaches of Paris. Often working from their home, incorporating plants into their space was key for maintaining a healthy work environment. Join us as we spend some time talking to them about their space and how their relationship with plants translates into it.

Our Story

In Celebration: The Glasshouse

Meet The Glasshouse, a social enterprise making a profound impact by providing opportunities for women prisoners at the end of their sentences. Their mission aligns closely with our values, and we are honoured to support them as they make their debut at the Chelsea Flower Show this year.

Teachings

Different Types of Fertiliser

Entering the world of plant fertilisers can be a daunting endeavour, especially when you currently have plants under the weather that you believe need a quick fix. Many questions arise the more you search, granular or liquid? Synthetic or organic? What is NPK? But worry no longer, as in this blog, we will answer each question and ensure you find the right plant food for your garden.

Teachings

Growing Nutrient Packed Vegetables

Growing your own vegetables can be incredibly rewarding, but the ultimate goal is to cultivate crops that are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients. To achieve more nutritious vegetables, several factors must be considered, from soil health to harvest timing. In this blog, we will provide the answer to ensure your home-grown produce is as nutritious as possible.

Interviews

Avant Gardener Profile: Toni Dahan

Meet Toni Dahan, the Parisian jewellery designer with a love for large plant specimens and the serenity they can bring. Join us as we talk with him about plants, their place in the home, and how one can find serenity for themselves through the rituals of care involved in keeping plants healthy.

Interviews

Avant Gardener Profile: Fran Lockyer

Meet Fran Lockyer, Textile Designer specialising in textile screens and colouring. Based in London and dabbling across industries such as Fashion, Fine Art, and Interiors, Lockyer gives us an insight into her creative process while exploring her innate connection with greenery, and the climate as a whole.

Teachings

What Type of Soil Should I Use For Houseplants?

Choosing the right soil for your houseplants is crucial for their overall health and vitality. The soil serves as the foundation for your plants, affecting everything from nutrient availability to water drainage. By understanding the specific needs of your houseplants, you can select a soil type that promotes optimal growth and longevity.

Our Story

Sowing Seeds of Creativity: The Seed Packet Artathon

In 2023, Sowvital teamed up with Farrago, a London-based artistic community, to embark on a unique creative journey that blended art and nature. The collaboration resulted in the "Seed Packet Artathon," a vibrant celebration of botanical art that encouraged artists from all walks of life to showcase their talents. Farrago, known for providing creatives with the tools to ignite their careers, co-hosted this competition that invited artists to interpret the evocative phrase, "a seed contains the promise of a thousand forests."

Our Story

Salima Zahi: Porcelain Creations for Sowvital

Discover the artistry of Salima Zahi, a Paris-based ceramist and designer renowned for her unique approach to ceramics. With training from the esteemed Estonian Academy of Arts, Zahi’s work beautifully merges design with craftsmanship, creating objects that transcend mere functionality to become miniature sculptures. Her latest creations for Sowvital, including the porcelain plant pot and the porcelain germination disc, exemplify this blend of artistry and utility.

Interviews

Avant Gardener Profile: Pablo Mesa Capella

Meet Pablo Mesa Capella, an artist whose journey spans across continents and disciplines. Born in Spain in 1982, Pablo now calls Malaga home after many enriching years living and working in Rome. His artistic path began in theatre scenography, where he cultivated a deep understanding of space and contrast. Pablo's work masterfully balances ideas, materials, and symbols, creating a unique dialogue within his art.

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Field Notes

A COLLECTION OF ESSAYS FOR THE BOTANICALLY CURIOUS