Hidden Gems: Meet Lauren White of Lauren and Plants

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren White.

Hi Lauren, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was a Deaf Education teacher for 14 years, and teaching was a huge part of my life. Over the last several years, I went through some profound loss and life changes that caused me to slow down and reconnect with what truly brought me peace and joy. During that time, I found myself drawn to plants and the sense of calm and grounding they bring into a space.

What started as just a few plants in my home quickly turned into a real passion. I began learning more about different plants, how they grow, and how thoughtfully placing them in a space can completely transform the feeling of a room.

I started my Instagram page, @laurenandplants, simply to share my plant journey and connect with other plant lovers. Over time people began reaching out asking for help styling plants in their homes, repotting their collections, and creating plant-filled spaces. What started as something fun slowly turned into a business.

Eventually, I realized this was something I wanted to give my whole heart to. I made the decision to step away from education and pursue Lauren and Plants full time. It was a big leap, but one that felt deeply aligned with the life I was creating for myself.

Today I run Lauren and Plants, an interior plant design studio based in Fort Worth where I help bring life into homes and businesses through simple and mindful interior plant design, maintenance, and terrarium workshops. Plants have had such a positive impact on my life, and now I feel grateful to help others experience that same warmth, calm, and connection in their spaces.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building a business from scratch in a niche industry has definitely not been easy. The first year especially has been a season of extreme growth, both professionally and personally. What started as helping a few people style plants in their homes has quickly grown into working with clients across the Dallas-Fort Worth area on plant design, maintenance, and workshops. When you start your own business, you quickly realize that you are responsible for everything. From learning how to price your work and manage projects to the physical labor of installations, there is a lot to figure out along the way.

There have been moments of uncertainty where I questioned whether I was doing things the right way, but those challenges have also pushed me to grow. Owning a business takes tenacity, grit, and the willingness to keep showing up even when things feel overwhelming. It also requires a lot of physical work, especially in the world of plant design where installs can be long and demanding days.

One thing that has made a huge difference for me is the community I’ve built along the way. I have been incredibly fortunate to have mentors, other business owners, and fellow plant lovers who have shared advice and encouragement when I needed it most.

Looking back, the challenges have actually been some of the most important parts of the journey. They have helped shape not only my business, but also who I am as a person. Even with the ups and downs, choosing to pursue Lauren and Plants has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I wouldn’t go back and change it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Lauren and Plants is an interior plant design studio based in Fort Worth, focused on simple and mindful interior plant design. I help bring life and warmth into homes and businesses through thoughtful plant styling, sourcing, installations, maintenance, and terrarium workshops.

What I love most about this work is helping people see how plants can completely transform a space. Plants soften a room, bring a sense of calm, and create an environment that feels alive and welcoming. Many people love the idea of having plants but feel overwhelmed about where to start, so I enjoy guiding them through the process and helping them create something that feels natural and beautiful in their space.

The “simple and mindful” philosophy is really at the heart of Lauren and Plants. My goal is never to overwhelm a space, but to thoughtfully introduce plants in a way that feels intentional, balanced, and easy to care for. Every project is approached with care and attention, and I truly want each client to feel supported throughout the process. Whether it’s a single statement plant or a larger installation, I want the experience to feel collaborative, thoughtful, and enjoyable from start to finish.

One thing that sets Lauren and Plants apart is the level of care I bring to my clients and their spaces. I genuinely want people to feel taken care of and confident in bringing plants into their environments. There is mindfulness behind every design decision, every installation, and every interaction, because creating a beautiful space should also be a positive and meaningful experience.

In addition to interior plant design, I also host terrarium workshops where people can come together, get creative, and learn more about plants in a relaxed and welcoming environment. These workshops are one of my favorite parts of the business because they allow people to slow down, connect with nature, and create something meaningful with their hands.

What I am most proud of is building a brand that feels welcoming, approachable, and rooted in genuine connection. Plants can sometimes feel intimidating to people, and I love helping others realize that anyone can enjoy them with the right guidance and design. At the end of the day, my goal is to help people create spaces that feel warm, grounded, and connected to nature.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
One piece of advice I would give to anyone starting out is to approach entrepreneurship with a learner’s mindset. There is no way to know everything when you are building something from the ground up, especially if it’s your first time running a business. You will constantly be learning, adapting, and figuring things out along the way.

Running a business on your own means wearing a lot of different hats, and there will absolutely be challenges. There will be moments where things feel overwhelming or uncertain, and that’s a very normal part of the process. One of the most important things I’ve learned is to extend the same patience and kindness to yourself that you would offer to someone else. Give yourself the space to grow, make mistakes, and learn as you go.

When I stepped away from my career in education to pursue Lauren and Plants, there were definitely hard days. There were moments of doubt, long days of physical work, and times when the weight of building something from scratch felt overwhelming. But I never doubted my ability to succeed. Growth comes with growing pains, and I’ve come to see those moments as part of the beauty of the journey.

Most importantly, don’t give up on yourself or the vision you’re working toward. Building something meaningful takes time, and there will be challenges along the way, but if you keep showing up and keep choosing your dream, it’s incredibly rewarding to see what you can create.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://laurenandplants.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenandplants/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurenandplants1
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenandplants/
• Other: https://www.laurenandplants.com/workshops