I sat down (over email, video chat, and WhatsApp) with my dear friend Karina. Known for her exciting, holistic approach to plants and nature, Karina just opened her first store dedicated to sharing her way of plant care. We had a great conversation about the multi-spoked intersections of houseplants, nature, self-care, and mindfulness. And also her new store 😉 Read more below!

Adam: Okay, so this seems like an obvious place to start, and usually the first question I ask, but can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into growing plants?

Karina: About 20 years ago I found myself spinning out of control trying to "keep up" and living from one task to the next. I didn't like feeling so out of touch with what was real, living an authentic and genuine existence, and yearned to learn how to live in the present moment. I began noticing details in nature whenever I went for walks in the neighborhood (now known as 'the art of noticing' but what I referred to as 'Natural World Therapy'). And then I began to notice details in my garden with the kids and would get lost for hours simply interacting with plant life, digging my hands into the soil, feeling completely relaxed and inspired. That eventually translated into how I interacted with houseplants as my collection grew and I began sharing that feeling on social media, with friends and family and in the kid's schools where I volunteered in their growing gardens and classrooms.

Adam: You are known for quite a few things, including your Marimo balls and plant tonics. Moreover, it is your general holistic approach and vibe that makes Sacred Elements what it is. How do you think your personality has shaped your approach to plants and what elements 🤓 do you hope to pass on to the community at large?

Karina: Aww, well thank you for the sweet compliment. I'm honored that it translates! I think I'm able to authentically translate the way I feel when interacting with the natural world, that feeling of wonder and awe and appreciation for life's intricate details that travels throughout the vibe of SE (Sacred Elements) and onto the community at large. My hope has always been to be a vehicle for spreading this healing awareness made possible through reconnecting with our houseplants, gardens, and all of nature, the ripple effect.

Adam: Are there things you would change about your plant journey if you had to start over?

Karina: I wish I would've paid more attention to the importance of good, healthy soil and plant and pest care products earlier in my plant parenting journey to grow in a more holistic, natural way. Otherwise, I wouldn't change a thing! Making mistakes has allowed for learning and sharing. And hands-on experience is the way I have always learned best!

Adam: You are a woman of many passions. What are you captivated by at the moment?

Karina: At the moment, I'm captivated by the very recent opening of our first brick-and-mortar here in Portland, Oregon. Being near 100% virtual for the past decade while SE grew from a tiny passion project to a full-fledged brand has been a rollercoaster and I've realized how much I value connecting with people IRL. I'm excited to get classes and monthly bazaars up and running in our new space to feature other makers and artists too!

Adam: What has been your biggest struggle as a plant grower?

Karina: I used to say pests were the biggest struggle as a grower, especially thrips! But then I learned how to grow using our tonics and now that stress has been replaced with giving plants time to heal and come back stronger with consistent care. Shifting to a softer, less reactive approach and enjoying what I call sacred plant care rituals (i.e. showering plants with Sacred Leaf Tonic or creating a foamy soil drench with Sacred Soil Tonic) feels restorative for me and my plants soak up the goodness too.

Adam: And lastly, what is the ONE piece of advice, knowledge, or inspiration would you wish every grower would know?

Karina: Slow down to notice what is surrounding you in our natural world. There's magic in those moments and they teach you how to be a better plant parent too!