Creativity Over Coffee: Maryann Gibbons (Plantsandponytails)

It’s time for a fresh installment of Creativity Over Coffee, an interview series where I chat with my creative friends.

Today we’re chatting with my friend Maryann Gibbons founder of Plantsandponytails. I first met Maryann when I visited her shop earlier this winter and fell head over heels for all the plants she has inside. Our chat took place way before COVID-19 outbreak here in the States. Due to the outbreak P+P’s physical location is closed to the public, but Maryann has loads of plants in stock and is adding more and more every day to her online shop. She also has curated these great plant packs. They’re offering shipping via UPS or direct delivery to your door (if you live within 25 miles of Hanover, MA). They offer plant sitting and are going to do more plant favors.

This is the sweet little plant I got at her shop –

Here’s Maryann:

Hi Maryann, I so enjoyed meeting you and visiting your shop. I’m loving my little plant. Can you tell my readers more about PlantsAndPonytails?

Maryann – I wanted to create a space that allows those who are plant curious to start connecting with plants again. I’m also excited to be a part of curing plant blindness. It’s a real thing. Essentially most of us walk through the world without actually “seeing” plants. I know because I was plant blind once too, and then it’s like a switch goes off. You start noticing them at restaurants, nail salons, malls and on TV.

Houseplants in homes are not commonplace anymore. They were prevalent for decades and then in the 2000’s they sort of just dropped off. I think it’s so strange. Our shop presents plants with pride and in a welcoming space. We hope it makes people just want to have them in their lives. More often than not, people leave the shop with a potted plant, the actual name of the plant and care suggestions

I absolutely love the name and your logo. How did you come up with it?

Maryann – I worked as a licensed social worker for the state for 10 years in child protection. Among my stressful job, houseplant tending became an escape. I created an Instagram account called plantsandponytails that highlighted my new plants and my daughters ponytails. When I decided to make a business selling plants at farmers markets I kept the name. My original logo wasn’t nearly as awesome as it was $10 auto generated from squarespace. I sought out local brand developer JaneMade for my new logo which is super clever having a plant and a ponytail combined.

Do you have a favorite plant?

Maryann – Sansevieria ‘Moonshine’ because it’s tough and hardy, but has a softer greener shade that just makes me feel good to look at.

On your site you say, “We aim to help you cultivate a deeper relationship with yourself and the world around you, one houseplant at a time.” How do you do this?

Maryann – Through the years I developed a happiness scale in life directly related to how much I could do in a day. When I tend to my plants I don’t think about anything else. Whether my kids were sick and I barely slept, or other life stresses are thrown my way, I found that I simply zone out when caring for my plants.

Similar to the desired effect of sitting meditation, plant tending can take you to a calm place inside. When you get acquainted with a houseplant, you see how they develop new leaves, buds and flowers. When we stop and pay attention it can bring us so much joy. I started with a pothos from Ikea 7 years ago and the happiness that one plant brought me in my first year made me get over 80 more in a year. It can be quite addictive, but certainly not harmful. The other day my Christmas cactus bloomed for the first time and it matched my daughter reaching the backboard in basketball for the first time.

When do you feel most creative or happy?

Maryann – I feel the most creative and happy when I’m creating content that I’m proud of and not thinking if other people would approve of it.

Who or what inspires you?

Maryann – I know it’s cliche, but my kids do. It doesn’t take them going on a vacation planned out for 9 months, or finally getting that purse on sale to be happy. They get so excited for free fruit at the grocery store and the smell of pancakes. They remind me that we have so much abundance all around us and they are the daily reminder that inspires me to see the good in the daily grind and not perseverate on what I lack.

Do you have any tips for my readers on caring for houseplants. Some people don’t have green thumbs.

Maryann – Plants are beautiful. Plants can be a natural element in home decor. With that said, if you are seeking a plant for a specific place then study the natural light in that area. Can you read a book in that area without turning a light on at 4pm? Is it sunny all year except in July all the shrubs come in and the window actually doesn’t let much light in?

As humans we strongly over estimate light intensity in our spaces. Similar to animals, our eyes adjust to see more light. Plants cannot adapt themselves to get more light in a space if there is not enough. To ensure that the plant you select will thrive I suggest that either you shop for a specific plant, or a specific space. If you are dying for a Fiddle Leaf Fig you will need ensure you have a space with consistent bright light, void of drafts and not against a heating vent. You also need to have the lifestyle that allows you to water it about every 7-10 days. If you just really want that little cactus you saw at the shop then go for it! Ensure it’s given the most possible view of the sun you can give it as it requires direct sun to thrive.

I know your business started on Instagram and you made the leap to opening a brick and mortar store. What challenges have you faced along the way?

Maryann – Challenges have been refraining from buying every single cool plant and tree that I want to have in the shop. We do not have the natural light and/or humidity to support that kind of stock. We do not want to compromise on the quality of plants we are providing to our customers. That is why we installed the greenhouse. Many people are plant curious and new to owning plants so we want to start them off with healthy plants. We will order any plant or tree upon request. We are about to do a big order from our Florida nurseries we are excited about.

Additionally, it’s challenging to prioritize all that needs to be done in a day. From promotions/social media, sourcing buying, paying bills, payroll to new boxes arriving at the shop there isn’t enough time in a day. We prioritize customer service and the plants being cared for above all else.

What advice would you give someone who wants to follow in your footsteps or who would like to open a small business?

Maryann – Great timing with this question. Elburne and P+P just created a day just for someone who has great ideas, maybe even in the thick of starting a business. It’s on 6/2 and called Root Your Brand. There is a great lineup of speakers. It’s a mix of mindfulness exercises and legitimate business intel from key local players. I knew that I was learning so much through all of this that I wanted to be able to connect people with resources going down a similar path for their soul’s purpose. (That’s the kind of social work I actually miss!)

Growing up I was a huge follower of INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO. At the end of the program, they would ask the interviewee these questions:

What is your favorite word? Cultivate
What is your least favorite word? Hmm nothing is jumping out at me.
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? music
What turns you off? Country music
What is your favorite curse word? Honestly I’m trying to refrain. My kids are little parrots.
What sound or noise do you love? Birds in the AM
What sound or noise do you hate? When no one knows whose car alarm is going off
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? A restaurant that only serves nachos
What profession would you not like to do? My old job as a social worker for abused and neglected children- it’s so hard, undervalued, dangerous and made me have an unkind lens of the world.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Welcome! No one cares what you did or who you are. You are loved.

A huge thank you to Maryann for sharing her love for plants and more about Plantsandponytails. I love how she’s making plants accessible to all.

Be sure to follow along with Maryann:

Website * Instagram * Facebook

If you’d like more Creativity Over Coffee you can read the full series here

* Photos courtesy of Maryann Gibbons. Profile photograph by Alexis Paquette.