Christina Foy’s two-bedroom Arlington apartment is a veritable urban jungle. Hundreds of plants fill the Ikea glass cabinets she’s converted into mini greenhouses. Her shelves and windows are lined with lush ferns, variegated crotons and spiky succulents in knotted macrame holders.
A product designer by day, Foy says she’s using her side hustle, Plants & What Knot, to help others bond with nature.
It all started after her partner’s death three years ago, when she began selling plants as a fundraiser in his memory. “It was a way for me to stay connected with him,” she shares, “and to create something good out of something that was so terrible.”
During that time, Foy also picked up macrame, a hobby that eased her anxiety and allowed her to create cozy holders for her greenery.
Catering to plant novices, Foy specializes in easy care plant species—such as various kinds of pothos ($8-$28) and air plants resembling little “jellyfish” in knotted holders ($12 and up). Each purchase comes with simple care instructions and growth tips.
“It’s about pairing the right plant and person—knowing if you are hands-on or want something low maintenance,” she says. “I try to help people understand how to listen to their plant, because your plant will tell you what it wants.”
Her product line also includes macrame accessories ranging from mini-disco balls ($12) to intricate geometric plant holders affixed to driftwood ($28 and up).
“Watching people grow as plant parents is so cool,” she says. “I love when people return to my stand to tell me how their plant baby is doing now.”
Shop her wares online and at various pop-up markets in the DMV.