Christopher Griffin never imagined growing up to be known as the Plant Kween, but his connection to nature began long before he was born. Griffin’s grandmother grew up on a farm in Clayton, Georgia, owned by his great-grandmother. Her deep appreciation for that land shaped her life. After migrating to Philadelphia, where she raised her family as a single mother, she found solace in plants and passed that love of nurturing them to her children and grandchildren. Griffin recalls how she curated her own garden as a source of joy, drawing from her roots on the farm. From an early age, he became her eager student and developed a love for nature. However, it wasn’t until 2015 that he purchased his first plant—seeking refuge in a world that often felt chaotic and overwhelming. Today, that initial purchase has grown into a lush nursery of over 200 plants in his Brooklyn apartment.

While caring for plants involves a journey of trial and error, Griffin wouldn’t trade it for the peace it brings him. “I enjoy a routine, and my plants provide me with a wonderful sense of accountability,” he shared in an interview. “They rely on me to care for them, which gives me a sense of control, stability, and responsibility. As someone who navigates anxiety, those are invaluable things to have agency over within my home.”

Griffin’s plants also offer a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of New York City. “In a city like New York, there are green spaces, but they’re not always accessible,” he explained. “To wake up surrounded by nature is calming. There’s research showing that plants reduce stress and help us focus. For me, as someone who holds intersectional identities, every time I step outside, I face waves trying to erase me, drown me, or wash me away. I’ve created a home that feels like calm waters—a place where I can float, exist, and prepare for the next day.”

Plant care requires patience, which might seem daunting to someone with anxiety, but Griffin sees beauty in the process. “Give yourself grace because the rewards are immense,” he advises. “We learn more from our failures than our successes. In gardening, there aren’t real failures—it’s all about trial and error, curiosity, and experimentation. That’s a great philosophy for life. For Black people especially, gardening can be a profound metaphor. Sometimes we plant seeds whose fruits we may never see, but future generations will. Plants remind us to hydrate, nourish ourselves, seek sunlight, and give ourselves room to grow. Even when a beloved plant dies, the lessons remain, helping me do better next time.”

Beyond gardening, Griffin has cultivated a life filled with joy and boundaries to minimize stress. “My family brings me joy. We’re small and have faced a lot of loss, but they’re my foundation. I also have a chosen family of long-time friends who support and nurture me. And then there’s me—I’m a party all on my own,” he says. “I love solo traveling because I enjoy my own company, a lesson I had to learn. I also love biking and finding new ways to experience joy.”

Griffin’s passion for plants and joy inspired him to share it with the world, not just on social media but also in a book. In the summer of 2020, HarperCollins approached him to write a guide. The result was You Grow, Gurl!: Plant Kween’s Guide to Growing Your Garden, a labor of love.

“I wrote it in four months and photographed it during that same time,” Griffin recalled. “It was a beautiful process, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Writing every day gave me focus. It’s incredible to have something tangible that captures those memories and also serves as a resource for others. The book is full of stories—about my grandmother, encounters with fellow plant parents, and more. It includes meditation and breathing exercises, playlists, and practical advice on how plants can aid in healing, especially for Black people.”

You Grow, Gurl! is available for purchase, and you can follow Griffin on Instagram @PlantKween.