Igor Josifovic - Plant Tribe: Living Happily Ever After with Plants

Editor: Shawna Mullen
Designer: Heesang Lee
Production Manager: Denise LaCongo

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019939902

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4041-1
eISBN: 978-1-68335-876-3

Text copyright 2020 Igor Josifovic and Judith de Graaff
Photographs copyright 2020 Jules Villbrandt

Cover 2020 Abrams

Published in 2020 by Abrams, an imprint of ABRAMS.
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

Abrams books are available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for premiums and promotions as well as fundraising or educational use. Special editions can also be created to specification. For details, contact specialsales@abramsbooks.com or the address below.

Abrams is a registered trademark of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

ABRAMS The Art of Books
195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007
abramsbooks.com

chapter 1
love your plants

chapter 2
good energy with plants

chapter 3
happiness with plants

chapter 4
well-being with plants

chapter 5
get creative with plants

chapter 6
room-by-room plant guide

Love is the essence of life. It drives us, challenges us, makes life beautifuland sometimes transforms it into a roller-coaster ride, complete with ups and downs and crazy loops. Through it all, love is what keeps us going and shapes us. Love also demands that we nurture it: It is based on giving and receiving. And all this rings true for our love for plants as well as people.

As you flip through this book, read the chapters, and look at the photos, keep in mind: Love is the spirit of this book. Plant Tribe is a book filled with love, good vibes, happiness, and creativity. It invites you on a journey of discovery and experimentation, soul-searching and nurturing, and into a shared and deep affection for plants.

Books and articles about how to keep your houseplants healthy and thriving abound, but we aimed to bring a little more to our readers: We wanted to offer perspectiveand to celebrate how much plants bring to the lives of all who welcome them into their homes. With that mission in mind, we traveled the worldvisiting inspiring people, talking to them about their bond with plants, and hearing stories that made us laugh out loud and moved us to tears.

We discovered that plants play a key role in well-being, positive energy, happiness, love, and creativity. Join us, and travel through each chapter of this book, in the company of the Plant Tribe, a global movement of plant lovers. Since this book has found its way into your hands, you are now part of the tribe, too. Our shared love of plants unites us from every corner of the world.

Plants teach us one important lesson: Life changes with the seasons. Every moment has a reason, and every low will eventually pass. Embrace your love of plants as you embrace life, which is all around us, buzzing, blooming, and thriving. Welcome to the Plant Tribe, friend!

Igor Josifovic & Judith de Graaff
@urbanjungleblogurbanjunglebloggers.com

The faces of a happy, global Plant Tribe.

chapter 1
LOVE YOUR PLANTS

There is one key element for happy and thriving plants, superseding even light, water, or soil. It is love. Everything starts and ends with love. It is the alpha and omega of any relationshipthe relationship with your partner, your family, yourself, or your plants. Love is the principle that will guide you in your life with plants.

Its in our human nature to nourish the world around us with love. Whatever is devoid of love will wither, wilt, and, eventually, die. But to be able to give love, we need to love and care for ourselves. Understanding the importance of love and self-care is essential, no matter what our actions or intentions.

Its easy to get off track: We love this home, we love this trip, we love this shirtsocial media can make the list of things we desire almost endless. It can even make the lives of others seem much better than our own. Yes, on Instagram even the plants of another person can seem so much nicer, so much healthier than our own! But what we see is a distorted image, presented to us in perfect bite-size portions on our ever-buzzing smartphones.

So this chapter is here as a gentle reminder: To love fully and sincerely, you must first love yourself. Once you succeed, you can share the nourishing power of love with other living thingsincluding your plants.

Plants need light, water, soilbut they also need our presence.

1.1
love, self-care, and plants

Your level of love and self-care is as crucial to your relationship with houseplants as it is to the other parts of your life. It will enhance your emotional bond with your plants and mark the beginning of a long and thriving green relationship.

Take a few minutes to work through the following four points in order to heighten your understanding of self-care, love, and emotional bonding with your plants.

AWARENESS

Become aware of yourself and your entire being. Take note of your senses, your body, and your mind. Close your eyes and take a moment to be aware of who you are and where you are. Feel your surroundings with your fingertips. Once you feel centered and present, focus on your plants. Which was the last plant you acquired? Why did you choose it? Which plant is currently not happy? Are you aware of your plants and your plants needs? Sometimes we forget our plants and they become mere decorative elements in our homes. But they are more than decor. They are living beings and deserve our full awarenessat least when were at home, surrounded by them.

Try this:

• Count, in your head, the number of plants you have at home (you can count in dozens, if that helps).
• Recall the last plant you parted with.
• Remember the last surprise you received from one of your plants.

APPRECIATION

Humans and plants have the same roots. We all come from nature. This natural bond ties us together as a family (in a way that can never be achieved with objects) and deserves our full appreciation. You may wish to direct your appreciation toward nature as a whole or to plants in their natural habitats and in your own homethe urban jungle you created.