Brought together in 2013 by a common love for houseplants, Igor and Judith turned their shared passion into Urban Jungle Bloggers, a monthly blog series that soon attracted dozens of bloggers who formed a global community of plant lovers. Their first book, ‘URBAN JUNGLE, living and styling with plants’, which was published in 2016, drew from this growing green community, presenting a compilation of DIY tips, styling ideas and handy plant information.

PLANT TRIBE, Igor and Judith’s second book, sheds light not only on what we can do for our plants, but crucially, what our plants can do for us. “The mere presence of plants seems to exert a magic force over human beings”, the book suggests. “Plants engage our minds, refresh our bodies and spirits.” Much more than just a gardening and decorating guide (although there are plenty of practical and inspiring tips), the book focuses instead on how plants can boost well-being and creativity, delving into topics such as horticultural therapy, slow living with plants and how plants drive businesses.

Divided into six chapters, the book explores the benefits of living with plants – namely: love, good energy, happiness, well-being and creativity – as well as offers a practical room-by-room guide with tips about which plants are ideal for which rooms. Far from theorizing about the positive impact plants have on our lives, the book is filled with personal stories and testimonials, inviting the reader to become part of the Urban Jungle Bloggers’ “plant tribe”. In order to document these stories, the authors visited 17 plant-filled homes around the world, from the USA, to Brazil, to Europe, getting to know their occupants and their lush abodes, both of which are evocatively showcased through photographs by Berlin based Jules Villbrandt.

From the begonia-filled sunroom of Julie’s cottage in a small village in Rhode Island, to the cactus room in Olive’s suburban house in Texas, the 42-square-metres apartment-turned-urban-jungle of Toy in Sao Paulo, and Juliette’s “plant shelfies” (plants installed in randomly spaced shelves) in Fontenay-sur-Bois in France, the pages of PLANT TRIBE showcase a diverse selection of people, homes and plants, which are nevertheless united by the good vibes they evoke.

For Lucas in Sao Paulo, having grown up in the countryside of Brazil, adding plants to his home, which he shares with his boyfriend Renato and dog Nuno, was a way to reconnect with his family and roots. For Alina, a Russian painter living in New York with her husband Artem and two cats Usha and Sofie, plants are a source of inspiration, while for Tish who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her husband Matt, three children and dog Lemon, her recreational interest in plants led to a thriving business. Stories such as these not only demonstrate the positive impact and lasting imprint that plants can have on our lives, but also invite readers on a journey of discovery and experimentation.

With additional tips such as how to live successfully with pets and plants, how to share your plant happiness with others and how to help your plants survive while you’re away on vacation, PLANT TRIBE is the definitive compendium of the thriving world of house plants as well as an illustrative affirmation of green love and positive vibes.