LIFESTYLE

Lifestyle & Culture From Across The African Diaspora

Issue No. 10, Home Decor Jeanine Hays Issue No. 10, Home Decor Jeanine Hays

West African Roots: A Closer Look At The Origins Of The Fiddle Leaf Fig

For most of us, it was around 2010 that today’s trendiest houseplant came onto the scene. The ficus lyrata, better known as the fiddle leaf fig started a revolution, quickly replacing the old, outdated palm tree of virtually every home and office of the 1990s. While the fiddle leaf fig has enjoyed soaring popularity over the past decade — even getting recognized by The New York Times as the go-to plant of top interior designers — its history is much longer and deeper than that. In fact, this stylishly modern plant is millions of years old and traces its roots to West Africa, specifically modern day Cameroon and Sierra Leone.

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Wellness, Issue No. 4 Jeanine Hays Wellness, Issue No. 4 Jeanine Hays

Plant Life: How Plants Can Aid In Your Wellness Routine

Whether you’re looking to be an expert home gardener growing your own salads and herbs, or just a capable plant parent able to keep things green for as long as possible, the world of plants has become one of the biggest home trends of 2020. Sustainable, affordable, and with big benefits for health and wellness, plant life is attracting a growing number of homeowners — especially millennials — who are looking to breathe new life into their spaces. And with so many of us only able to watch the seasons change through our windows, who wouldn’t love to bring a bit of the outdoors in? Growing along with the trend, a whole new crop of brands have sprung up, ready to help you not only find the perfect plants for your home, but care for them as well. We sat down with Evann E. Webb, the woman who runs social media for the Detroit-based brand Bloomscape to discuss all things plants and wellness.

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