Suzie Meyer, owner of Nature Nook, peeks though the leaves of a large Monstera plant in her home garden on April 20, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
A Signal Hill woman is striving to save millennials from becoming plant killers.
Five years ago Suzie Meyers was struggling to keep her Elephant Ear plant alive, then she read some advice online to replant the sad-looking bulb in some rich soil and hope for the best. She was shocked and delighted weeks later to see that the plant she was ready to give up on had started sprouting bright green leaves, or its namesake “ears.”
Through her new business Nature Nook, Meyers wants to help others grow the same affinity for plants and experience the benefits of an earthly oasis.
Meyers’ Elephant Ear now towers over her with healthy, sturdy leaves that are bigger than her face. It’s one of hundreds of plants, herbs and flowers she has in her backyard—in addition to 50 houseplants she keeps indoors. She hopes to help others create lush green spaces in their home and become successful plant parents themselves.
Left, Suzie Meyer, owner of Nature Nook, inspects some of the wooden pallets she was able to reclaim that will be turned into planters at her home on April 20, 2023. Right, Meyer poses for a portrait with a reclaimed wood pallet turned succulent planter in her home garden. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, plant popularity soared as people searched for ways to spend their time indoors. According to Garden Center magazine, houseplant sales jumped 18% in U.S. and Canada garden centers. Their study found that 66% of U.S. homes have at least one houseplant.
But a OnePoll study found that while 70% of millennials now consider themselves “plant parents,” most of them also consider themselves “plant murderers” and struggle to keep their green friends alive. That’s where Nature Nook comes in.
Meyers began her journey when one of her friends was having issues taking care of her houseplant and was about to give up. Through advice and encouragement, Meyers was able to help her friend revive the plant. She lacks any formal training; Meyers taught herself by reading gardening articles, watching videos and scrolling though tutorials.
For years now, Meyers has been donating cuttings of plants to her friends—plant babies, if you will—to help them grow both their knowledge and gardens.
“I think that’s the fun part about being a gardener, is figuring it out yourself.”
Suzie Meyer, owner and founder of Nature Nook
If someone is just beginning their plant parent journey, Meyers will begin with a phone call to discuss goals and levels of experience, do a walkthrough of their home to survey the space and environmental factors then provide a price estimate within a given budget. Once an idea is settled, Meyers will take to Photoshop to experiment with designs and various plants and then present it to the client, who will have the final say on which plants they want to adopt.
“My goal is to expand our image of popular plants, so we can explore all mother nature has to offer,” her website states.
Suzie Meyer, owner of Nature Nook, runs a finger down the inside stem of a banana leaf in her home garden on April 20, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
“When I see a space, I just like to think about all the different plants I think would look cool there,” Meyers said. She shows her clients the gamut of plants that can be obtained online and at local nurseries.
For those who have already found success keeping their plants alive, but want to expand their collection or need someone to care for their plants while they’re out of town, Meyers offers weekly or bi-weekly plant-care services.
Nature Nook also will provide clients with guidelines on how to care for specific plants, since each variety has specific needs.
Earlier this year, Meyers was feeling creatively uninspired in her work-from-home job and had to return to her roots, quite literally. By spending time in her outdoor garden and arranging then rearranging her plants so they looked “just so,” Meyers felt more at peace. She wanted to share this feeling with others.
It’s not just that Meyers loves her plant babies, though she lets out an occasional scream of excitement when a succulent or flower blooms for the first time. Multiple studies have shown that being surrounded by greenery and nature can have positive physical and psychological effects on people.
Suzie Meyer, owner of Nature Nook, adjusts some plants in a hanging planter in her home garden on April 20, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
According to the National Library of Medicine, exposure to natural elements have been associated with a decrease in blood pressure, depression, anxiety and stress and an increase in attention and focus.
Multiple health institutes in Europe have experimented in “horticulture therapy” to aid their patient’s recovery.
Meyers’ next step is to bring these benefits to stores around Long Beach. She wants to work with businesses to design green spaces for employees and customers to enjoy.
“I feel like I’m really good at making a space feel good, and that’s kind of where I want to build my future,” Meyers said. “I just really like making a space that feels comfy and so that’s kind of where I see myself in the future, is doing more interior decorating with not only plants.”
To book a consultation or request plant-care services from Nature Nook, visit the website and click the contact button or email naturenooklbc@gmail.com.
