When it comes to the term "influencer," first thoughts usually surround fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. You rarely hear of the success of other categories, but Christopher Griffin is changing that narrative. Griffin, AKA Plant Kween, is an Brooklyn-based Black, queer, non-binary influencer and the author of "You Grow, Gurl!". She is taking over the fashion and holistic spaces, sharing her never-ending love for nature, self-care tips, and building community.
"As I've dived into the world of horticulture and explored the rich diversity of lushness that exists [on the planet], it has definitely motivated me to be more playful and expansive with how I want to show up in the world."
While her popular Instagram account is only seven years old, her passion for plants runs deep. It all started when she was growing up, spending time with her grandmother, who she describes as the original plant queen. "When I was about six years old, my grandmother and I would take day trips out to her favorite nurseries in Philadelphia," Griffin tells POPSUGAR. "I became fascinated by the idea that we could take a small piece of the jungle home with us, nourish it, and watch it grow. Whenever I was visiting her green oasis of a home, she'd remind me to water the green gurls I'd picked out. She was nurturing the nurturer she saw in me."
Nearly half a million followers later, Plant Kween is one of our generation's most respected plant connoisseurs and continues to spread joy through a recent collaboration with distinguished hospitality brand Kimpton Hotels of IHG Hotels & Resorts' luxury & lifestyle portfolio. For their new Kimpton Plant Pals program that allows guests to have a plant directly delivered to their rooms during stays, she's carefully curated a unique selection of regionally sourced plants for all to enjoy. "Some of the options include a prickly pear cactus in San Francisco, English Ivy at European Kimpton locations and pothos in the Asia Pacific region," Griffin says. "This program emphasizes plants native to each hotel's region, with a subtle educational component. It allows folks a moment to dive into what eco-conscious gardening could look like for them, while enjoying the lushness in their hotel room."
Griffin also makes the connection between plants and fashion, sharing that Mother Nature is the best style muse. "Plants are wondrous, resilient, beautiful and inspiring green lil creatures," she says. "As I've dived into the world of horticulture and explored the rich diversity of lushness that exists [on the planet], it has definitely motivated me to be more playful and expansive with how I want to show up in the world."
On her journey to being the next "Black queer non-binary David Attenborough" as she puts it, Griffin still manages to make time for what's even more important than being a plant parent - herself. Below, she gives us a peek into her daily schedule, collaborating with Kimpton, and the future of Plant Kween.