Rooted in Healing: How Plants & Therapy Help Us Grow – A Talk with BrownSkin Plant Momma

While preparing to write my own book, Harvesting Joy: A Beginner’s Gardening Guide, I was struck by how few gardening books existed that center the voices of Black women. As someone deeply connected to the legacy of Black women gardeners, plant mamas, and herbalists, I felt called to create space for our stories—stories rooted in joy, healing, and cultural tradition. That calling led me to this beautiful conversation with my sorority sister and longtime friend, Veronica, also known as Brown Skin Plant Mama and about her book, Rosie’s Special Gift.

Tell us how Brown Skin Plant Mama came to be.

Brown Skin Plant Mama started in April of 2020 from my desire to share my love for plants in a creative and anonymous way. I was burnt out from my work and at first, I would only show my hands holding up plants or cuttings. 

I was also grieving the sudden loss of my sister. Plants provided a space for me to release grief and nurture something that helped me feel more whole. Once I started to share more plants and my story of how they helped me through my grief journey, I found many people who resonated. In the plant community I found people who were, like me, using plants to heal. They also wanted to get back to their roots of gardening or finding it as a new hobby. 

Later- I started to show my face on the platform and that is when it clicked. Brown Skin Plant Mama became a platform for healing advocacy and wellness through plants and nature. Plant therapy was and continues to be the focus of my message. 

Was there a particular moment or memory that made you fall in love with plants?

My mother was a master gardener, and as a little girl, I would follow her around our garden, helping to plant vegetable and fruit plants, watering them, and my favorite, harvesting the green tomatoes for us to fry up and eat! 

I didn’t realize that my childhood journey would lead me to where I am right now as a plant therapy educator and children’s book author. I am grateful for the lessons taught to me by my mother. Now, I pay it forward and teach the same to others including my children and other children.

What inspired you to write your plant book for children—and what do you hope readers take away from it?

Initially I was inspired because of the relationship my daughter and I developed. She would help me to water the plants and harvest the vegetables from our backyard garden. Taking care of plants was something that helped my daughter immensely during the time of shuttering in place. I then decided to share that gift with others. 

I gifted her pre-K class with little house plants. It was a way to develop social-emotional skills even while we were separated. As I started writing I realized that the message was synonymous with the experience that I have with my mother growing up. I couldn’t help but notice how much came up from what she taught me as a little girl. Incidentally, the book  became an ancestral-lead story and a dedication to generational teachings from mother to daughter.

How has gardening shaped or even healed parts of your life?

Gardening has given me an opportunity to go back to the simple things. To appreciate the small things in life and how to connect more with what Mother Earth is trying to teach us. 

It also allowed me to pour my heart and soul into the practice of taking care of something else when there were moments that I couldn’t take care of myself. Grief shook my world: I lost my sister unexpectedly in 2018 (and being the one who found her) then later unexpectedly lost my mother in May 2023. 

I know I will never be the same, but having the practice of taking care of plants has saved my life.

What’s one common mistake you see new plant parents make—and how can they fix it?

A common mistake new plant parents make is acquiring plants that are not a good fit for their space: whether it be not having enough light or not having enough space to care for them. Some plant parents also make the mistake of acquiring too many plants at one time. Having too many at once can become overwhelming.

What are three indoor plants you recommend for beginners and why? Keep in mind, I’m a beginner, LOL, fun fact I do outside not inside plants. 

This is one of my favorite things to teach about! My three plants that I tell beginners to acquire are snake plants, African ZZ plants, and pothos. These plants are super resilient and can thrive in many different light conditions. I recommend the ZZ and snake plant because they don’t need to be watered frequently. Once a month is a good watering schedule for these plants. This works for new plant parents who tend to over-love (with water) their plants. 

The pothos is a resilient plant in that it can bounce back if neglected a bit or forgive you for a little too much love. A general rule of thumb for the pothos is every 5-7 days.

What’s your favorite plant in your home right now, and what’s the story behind it?

My favorite plant in my home is my Monstera Thai constellation. This plant was gifted to me by a fellow plant parent in my community. At the time, the plant was going for $200+ for a small 4-6 inch pot. This plant was given to me as a top cutting from the mother plant for $25!!! When my plant friend told me they were giving me a cutting I thought it would be a little thing. The cutting was the size of a mature plant! When I received it, I cried in the middle of the farmers market! I now have two plants from propagating the original I was given. 

How does being a Black woman inform the way you connect with nature, your plants, and your audience?

As a Black woman, it is our (and other Black folks’) absolute birthright to be connected to the Earth and to tend to the land to grow things. It’s a practice that was passed down for generations and was oftentimes the source of survival and income for our families. Our culture was taken advantage of, disrespected, and appropriated for the ways in which we knew how to farm, grow food, and take care of our families and community through the practice of agriculture. 

I treat my plants with care, respect, and appreciation. I recognize the history and count it as a blessing to have them in my presence. When I grow food, I always take a moment to verbally give thanks to the plant and the ancestors. Without the teachings that both provided, where would we be? 

As a Black content creator who happens to love plants and gardening, it’s important for me to show up as my authentic self. I share the truth and historical context in the gardening and plant care space. I am transparent and call out the disparities that exist within the community of BIPOC growers and those who don’t share our identities. (Right on!).

You and I both garden but in different ways—how do you define the difference between being a plant mama and a gardener? Or is it all the same to you? 

I’m gonna bring you over to the other side of houseplants soon, Windy City Peach, so that we can garden the same! Lol. I believe that those who plant outdoors and those that take care of plants indoors are both gardeners in their own right because I look at gardening as the art of growing things. 

No matter which form of gardening resonates with you, the most important aspect is that we are growing physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone who thinks they have a “black thumb”

I hear this a lot. My advice would be that everyone can grow things. You just have to find the right plant for your space and your lifestyle. 

What’s next for Brown Skin Plant Mama? Any projects, products, or dreams you’re excited about?

I am currently working on a book with my daughter about nature exploration due to release in June 2026. And another children’s book about gardening that will be out next spring. 

Where can folks follow you, buy your book, or join your plant-loving community?

You can follow me on IG at @brownskinplantmama @authorveronicahmoore

Visit my website at https://www.veronicahmoore.com/ to purchase an autographed copy of my debut children’s book, Rosie’s Special Gift. 

Stay up to date with my offerings and book me for a plant therapy workshop, author school visit or self publishing coaching! 

Thank you so much Veronica for your time! Let’s Harvest Joy Together!