images: @plantsonpink
In the unlikely event you hadn't noticed, the insanely popular Instagram account @plantsonpink is taking over the world.. What sparked this phenomenon? Founder Lotte van Balen explains the evolution of a concept so simple yet so wildly popular that we all can't live without: plants, on pink. #itsplantporn
IPP:HOW DID @PLANTSONPINK START?
LvB: I'm Lotte van Baalen, 29 and I was born and raised in Utrecht, the Netherlands. I was brought up with a lot of art and culturally attuned edcuation both in- and after school, being the child of two artists and raised in a very liberal neighborhood. Art was always all around me. I studied fine arts, children studies and english language and culture but in my core I have always considered myself an artist at first.
I had been fascinated by the combination of green and pink for a while. One day I rode my bike past a pink wall with some green in front of it when it suddenly hit me: @PlantsOnPink.
ipp: what do you love the most about the instagram account?
LvB: What I love the most about running @PlantsOnPink is that I can make people aware of the beauty that surrounds us. Not only online, but also offline. @PlantsOnPink are everywhere. You just have to see it! The fact that it's a positive platform where people can be featured, and to see that people are actually inspired by my project is so fulfilling. For me it's all about the human connection in ways of co-creation, literally all around the world.
IPP: WHAT IS YOUR GOAL WITH @PLANTSONPINK?
LvB: My goal is to have fun, keep sharing pictures, to see my platform grow, work on amazing collaborations, to create and inspire.
IPP: WHERE DO YOU GET BOTANICAL INSPIRATION?
LvB: I get botanical inspiration on my travels. Last summer I went to Marrakech where I was surrounded by amazing plants and succulents. There are a lot of beautiful plants in my house as well and I love to visit various botanical gardens. I also find a lot of inspiration online, I'm a very fanatic Pinterester.
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IPP: WHAT IS YOUR SPIRIT PLANT AND WHY?
My spirit plant is defenitely the aloë vera. They grow in tropical climates but can also grow successfully indoors as a potted plant. The aloë vera is very strong and beautiful, but is just as sensitive and soothing. It doesn't need much to survive, it grows colourful flowers and it's cultivated for culinary and medicinal uses; you can eat the gel, drink the juice and put it's soothing lotion on your skin.
