Cover Wonderplants founders Joanne Tengco and Giselle Yujuico tell us about putting plants indoors (Photo: Getty Images)
Wonderplants founders Joanne Tengco and Giselle Yujuico tell us about putting plants indoors (Photo: Getty Images)
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Why is it important to incorporate nature into our homes? Joanne Tengco and Giselle Yujuico of Wonderplants tell us their two cents
Integrating plants into our living spaces isn’t just an aesthetic choice but a more fundamental one to foster nature and sustainability. Wonderplants duo Joanne Tengco and Giselle Yujuico decorate interiors with a variety of greens and emphasise why this not only adds visual appeal but also contributes to physical and mental health. Wonderplants, which started as a passion project, is known for its selection of tall indoor and outdoor plants.
This modest venture eventually grew into a business when Tengco and Yujuico’s mutual friends started asking where they got their plants. “We have been friends since high school and we have always had a love for interiors, for fixing spaces,” the business partners reveal in an interview with Tatler. “In the past, it was really a passion project that took off during the pandemic. We were thinking about how people were confined in their spaces and couldn’t really go outdoors.
Everyone was just looking for things to do in their respective homes.” They both stress the importance of connecting with nature, especially today when the call for sustainability resonates deeply due to growing environmental concerns. And while fake or plastic plants have a certain aesthetic appeal with no need for care, it’s not an eco-friendly option. “By adding a tree or even just a small plant [in the home], people will start to recognise the importance of bringing life into their spaces. They also make your homes more beautiful, and when you think about it, plants really have the capacity to make you happier.”
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Above (Photo: Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)
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Why are plants an integral part of home decoration?
For one, plants make spaces more beautiful, they make a house come alive. They’re the easiest way to change the look of a space. They provide health benefits, the first of which is they clean the air. If you think about fixing a house, plants are not like buying a big piece of furniture or spending on one. You will be surprised what a single plant can do to your home. We also have clients or friends who tell us that coming home from work plants gives them calmness and removes their stress. They’re also integral because they teach you to nurture something, take care of something or treat it.
What advice can you give people who don’t necessarily have the “green thumb”?
There are a lot of plants that don’t require you to have a green thumb. If you’re a first-time plant buyer, we really recommend those that are easy to take care of. Start with the easiest one; there are those that do not really require much care. Taking care of plants is really a learning experience. We have customers whom we guide along the way; they message us anytime and through this, we feel that we’re really part of the growth process of the plants.
More from Tatler: Plant-based sisig? This Filipino food entrepreneur shares why plant-based alternatives are important
Above Wonderplants founders Joanne Tengco and Giselle Yujuico
Wonderplants founders Joanne Tengco and Giselle Yujuico
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Which parts of the house are more appealing when decorated with plants?
If you ask us, it’s really every nook, every area, every space—it could be on top of a table, near your bed, or even by the kitchen entrance. You can fill any empty spot and just watch the plant liven it up.
What are the benefits of live plants versus plastic ones?
Live plants are sustainable; plastic ones are not. Live plants clean the air, more environmentally friendly. They are really part of the whole art of sustainability. Additionally, you can plant live plants outside if you want. You can propagate them and make them multiply.
Where do you source plants?
Both of us have farms. Our respective farmers grow the plants for us and, in return, earn from the business too. We have growers who were already able to buy a piece of land for themselves, so the business must have helped them in a way.
See also: Botanical creations: Rajo Laurel talks about his ‘Hardin’ collection
Above (Photo Getty Images)
(Photo Getty Images)
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Why should we think of more sustainable ways to decorate our spaces?
Sustainability is, basically, for the next generation; by doing our part, we pass this land to our children. Therefore, we must take care of it. On a much smaller scale, sustainability can be bringing live plants into your homes. We think if everybody has that kind of mindset, then it will have a bigger
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
