My Life in Plants | Zena Alkayat of Bloom
Meet Zena of Bloom
I’m catching up with inspiring people whose lives are filled with plants, flowers and tangled garden paths. From gardeners & growers to florists, herbalists, natural dyers & houseplant whisperers. I’m talking to those kindred spirits who’ve made plants a part of their everyday rhythm. I ask about their stories, the things we can all learn from plants and the small rituals that keep them grounded.
For this very first edition of My Life in Plants I’m so excited to welcome Zena, the founder & editor of the gardening and nature brand Bloom. Founded in 2018, it began as a much loved quarterly magazine and has evolved to become an indie media brand, publishing house & must read newsletter…
Tell us a little about yourself—who you are, what you do, and how plants became part of your life…
Plants became part of my life by complete accident. I bought a house with a garden and, bam, it kicked off a journey I’m still on 10 years later. I found the task of ‘gardening’ the garden to be overwhelming, confusing and a bit white, male and stale – so I set about to make it easier for myself, and then, through Bloom, easier for everyone else. I started off creating magazines, then books, and now curated plant collections, personalised planting plans and monthly newsletters with advice and ideas. Just to be clear, the advice comes from experts – I’m still learning!
What’s one thing plants have taught you that you try to carry into everyday life?
I feel like plants teach me lessons on a daily basis, from obvious things like patience and letting go of perfection, to more oblique or philosophical ideas – the lessons keep on coming! I guess one stand out thing I try to take with me in everyday life is that we’re stronger together. Community, the power of the collective and the strength we can feel as a unit is something we’re in danger of losing, and it’s worth remembering it’s a primal part of who we are.
Do you have an everyday plant care or self-care ritual that you’d like to share?
I can’t say self-care is something I’m particularly good at. Sometimes it’s helpful to have other things to look after – a garden and houseplants being a great example. That nagging sense of duty can make tasks like watering the garden feel like a chore, especially when you’re lost in an overwhelming to-do-list cycle. But I’ve found I can start the task begrudgingly and end it feeling revived, more peaceful and better able to go about my day. So I guess enforced self-care works for me!
If you could save just one plant in an ark for the future, what would it be and why?
That’s a tough one. Future generations will probably want something useful, but how about something to lift the heart? Like a beautifully scented salvia. Maybe Salvia × jamensis ‘Nachtvlinder’ or Salvia × sylvestris Schneehügel.
Can you share a recent moment that reminded you why you love what you do?
Well, retiring Bloom magazine in 2024 was the hardest thing I’ve had to do professionally. It was a true labour of love for many years. But I’m determined to carry on with my mission to simplify the complex world of gardening. And it’s been great to reimagine what that looks like with my new business partner Charlotte. I got the same buzz I used to get from the magazine when we sent out our first newsletter in June 2025. I’m an introvert by nature, but there’s something magic about sharing stories and learnings with like-minded people.
Any advice for someone just beginning their own life in plants?
Don’t be too hard on yourself or expect to know everything all at once. Professional gardeners train for many years for a reason, and people have spent a lifetime learning through practise, so cut yourself some slack. If you see a plant you like in someone’s garden, ask for a cutting or to dig up a little bit of rooted plant – try it back at home and see how it goes. You’ll soon end up knowing what you love and what works in your garden.
"Don’t be too hard on yourself or expect to know everything all at once. Professional gardeners train for many years for a reason, and people have spent a lifetime learning through practise, so cut yourself some slack."
Bloom brings gardening, nature inspiration and advice to a modern audience. Earlier this year saw the newsletters 'Bloom Loves' & 'Bloom Asks' go live, with personalised garden plans & curated plant collections to follow soon. It’s innovative & exciting, find out more here & follow Zena & Charlotte on Instagram here @bloomgardens_
Does your world / work revolve around plants? To be featured in My Life in Plants email me at katy@bohemiaandflower.co.uk with a short bio about yourself...