"Simple things work well for me - water, sunlight and love. I do talk to my plants and I swear it makes a difference"
- Kelly Stewart, Marly Grower
Numerous studies have shown that gardening and connecting with nature is beneficial for your health. Adding plants to a room can increase productivity, creativity, and energy, almost overnight.
A strong believer in the positive powers of flora is Kelly Stewart - Marly grower, digital entrepreneur, yoga teacher, wife, mother, and green(ish) thumb.
In fact, Kelly ranks her houseplants as highly as other essentials like good food and fresh air in terms of positive impact on her wellbeing.
We sat down with the Midwesterner to learn more about her growing passion for gardening, how to embrace change, and the best restaurants in Iowa.
Check out the full conversation below 👇
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Hey Kelly, great to meet you! Could you start by providing a mini bio on yourself and your background?
Of course. My name is Kelly Stewart. I’m an entrepreneur, empty nester, and hot yoga teacher living in Iowa with my husband and two dogs. The older I get, the more wellness means to me - organic food, clean air, water and nature.
What do plants, nature and gardening mean to you?
I’ll be honest, I’m no green thumb…
I DO, however, love having plants in my home as they make it a healthier environment. And I love planting my outdoor pots each spring and then replanting them in the fall. It feeds my creative side and is so relaxing to me.
What's your favorite thing to grow inside your home or in the garden?
I have a beautiful rubber plant that is out of control at the moment, to the point it’s going to need to move to its own large Marly planter! It started as a clipping from a friend’s plant and has grown like crazy.
Do you have any unusual tips or tricks for keeping your plants healthy?
Simple things work well for me - water, sunlight and love. I do talk to my plants and I swear it makes a difference.
Are there any home or garden accessories/tools/products that you would recommend to our community, and why? (other than Marly!)
Great organic potting soil.
How has your Marly planter helped you on your gardening journey?
I absolutely love my Marly planter. I love how easy it makes having plants in my home. Especially when I travel. I don’t have to worry about having someone come over to water them.
What are you listening to or watching right now?
My latest favorite acoustic artist is Leif Vollebeck. He’s an incredible songwriter. I use his music in my classes all the time.
Which bar, restaurant, park, or public space do you always recommend someone make a visit to? Domestic or international!
Because most people wouldn’t think of Des Moines, Iowa as being a super cool place, I’m going to talk it up in hopes I’ll change some minds.
It’s a great small city with a vibrant art scene, is incredibly livable, has a fabulous farmer’s market in the summer, the famous Iowa State Fair (really, everyone should experience it at least once), and really good restaurants. My favorites are Fresko, St. Kilda and Centro in downtown.
What are you working on this year? Are there any projects you'd like us to give a shoutout to?
This year I’m working on embracing and leaning into change. I’ve worked hard at facing change with not just a positive attitude, but a curiosity and a welcoming.
I’ve had some unexpected and unwelcome change recently, so I committed to fully leaning into it instead of being angry and you know what?! It turned out so much better than I could have imagined!
That's a great way of looking at things, and almost a little plant-like...embracing changes in the environment and striving to grow whatever the circumstances.
I agree!
Thank you Kelly, we appreciate your time and insight!
No problem!
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Kelly Stewart is a digital entrepreneur and yoga teacher based in Des Moines, IA.
At home, Kelly grows using Marly's Smaller Indigo Self-Watering Planter plus legs (as pictured in the images above).
Are you ready to explore the positive power of plants yourself? Check out our deep-dive on Dopamine Decor to see how the natural world can elevate your style and your mood.
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