PLANT POP-UP AT LENTILS AND LATHER
Plant Collective is a small independent business based in West Didsbury with a strong focus on the positivity that plants can bring to homes and businesses.
You might have noticed the fresh foliage in the Lentils and Lather shop window, this is because Plant Collective is currently holding a pop-up within our store for you to take in the greenery and perhaps pick up a new plant alongside your pasta and porcini.
We spoke with Abi Hughes, who runs Plant Collective, to find out a bit more about what her project is all about and what her ambition is moving forward:
“I started Plant Collective 6 months ago with a vision to share the love I have for plants with others and improve homes, workspaces, bars and shops. Plants and interior design go hand-in-hand and I also provide a plant installation service as well as plant hire for events. I want to help others to green up their space and experience the many benefits of plants.
“I’m a self-confessed plant addict and lover of all things green and really feel like plants have had a positive impact on my own wellbeing...so much so that they’re an essential part of my daily self-care routine. My last count was 64 plants in my small apartment!
Currently, I have pop-ups at Cocoa Cabana in Ancoats as well as Lentils and Lather. My most recent plant installations were at The Button Warehouse in Macclesfield and Wild and Wild in Congleton, where I was fortunate to be able to transform both places into an urban oasis. My first plant hire was for a soft launch at a new workspace ArbetaMcr who asked me to ‘green up’ the whole building. My aim is to expand and grow my project so that more people can experience the power of plants and to share the plant love.
Mankind’s connection with plants is primal - we need them to meet our basic human needs of breathing and eating as well as a broad range of positive effects. Humans have an innate desire to be connected with nature. My current personal favourites include the asparagus fern, calethea and string of hearts...although my preferences change frequently!
Plants are known to have a calming and relaxing effect as well as making people feel happy and well-placed plants can create a chilled and restful ambience. Plants such as the pinstripe calethea, staghorn fern, the asparagus fern, the prayer plant and Swiss cheese plant are known for this.
Plants are renowned for being great air purifiers, which is much needed for city-living. Also, better air quality helps improve sleep after a busy day. The dragon plant, spider plant, English ivy, flamingo flower, snake plant and many others are all good examples of air-purifiers. Plants to help you get a good night’s sleep include lavender, scented jasmine, areca palm, money tree, pitcher plant.
Plants can improve your wellbeing and help to reduce stress and anxiety in a world that can seem hectic at times. The wax flower, creating a zen garden, terrariums, mistletoe cactus are all said to help reduce stress, however, in my experience all plants can bring joy and happiness.
You can improve your focus and productivity with plants, so they’re ideal for study environments and workspaces. Small plants can be used on desks such as a cactus or succulent and larger plants such as the ZZ plant and fiddle-leaf fig can add that calm feel.
Plants are also beautiful, elegant and stylish and can easily transform any space into an urban jungle, creating a chilled and on-point vibe.”
Abi’s Plant Collective is currently a semi-permanent fixture at 50 Burton Road, Manchester, so if you fancy a new plant to freshen up your house pop-in for a browse.
Follow Abi on Intsagram at: @plantcollective_
