Meet Izabela Jankus, aka The Plant Junkie, and she’s about to change how you think about decorating with greenery. This Brazilian-born plant enthusiast turned her childhood love of lush tropical foliage into a thriving business in Canada, and she’s sharing her insider secrets for creating a jungle-worthy home. Whether you’re living in a shoebox apartment or trying to spruce up your office, her approach to plant styling is refreshingly practical and seriously inspiring.
From Brazilian Roots to Canadian Jungles
Growing up surrounded by Brazil’s incredible plant life does something to you. For Izabela, those memories of vibrant, tropical greenery weren’t something she could just leave behind when she moved to Canada 16 years ago. Instead of accepting the stark difference in climate and landscape, she decided to bring a piece of home with her—one plant at a time.
What started as personal collecting snowballed into The Plant Junkie, a business dedicated to helping clients transform their homes and offices into green sanctuaries. The mission? Making sure everyone can experience that same joy and connection to nature that defined her childhood, regardless of where they live or how much space they have.
The Plant Shopping Checklist Every Junkie Needs
Before you impulse-buy that Instagram-worthy monstera, Izabela has some non-negotiables when selecting plant babies. First up: visual appeal matters. Your plant should look lush, healthy, and full of life—not sad and droopy like it’s given up on existence.
Second, get your hands dirty (literally). Check that the soil is rich and well-maintained. Then comes the crucial part: inspect those roots. Healthy roots mean a plant that’ll actually thrive in your space instead of becoming a expensive compost experiment.
And here’s the kicker—only shop from businesses you trust. FYI, this isn’t just about getting a good product. Reputable sellers ensure their plants are properly cared for before they even reach your hands, which sets you up for success from day one.
Small Space Solutions That Don’t Sacrifice Style
Living in a cramped apartment doesn’t mean you can’t have your jungle dreams. Izabela’s go-to trick for maximizing limited square footage? Strategic shelf styling.
The Multi-Level Approach
Think vertically, people. On the top shelf, hang trailing plants that cascade downward, creating visual drama without eating up precious floor space. The middle shelves become your opportunity to mix personal treasures with smaller plant varieties, creating vignettes that feel curated rather than cluttered.
Air plants are your secret weapon here. These little guys need minimal care and can nestle between books, photos, and whatever else makes you happy. Izabela even keeps her kids’ books on lower shelves for bedtime stories—proof that functional and beautiful aren’t mutually exclusive concepts.
Furniture That Works Double Duty
When you’re selecting furniture for a plant-filled space, think beyond aesthetics. Sure, it needs to match your vibe, but it should also solve problems. Izabela swears by pieces with hidden storage—those beautiful cabinets that look Instagram-ready but secretly hide all the chaos of daily life (looking at you, kids’ toys).
Guests coming over? Sweep everything into those cabinets, and suddenly your jungle oasis looks like it belongs in a magazine spread rather than a family home. Smart styling is all about making life easier, not harder.
Living Walls: The Ultimate Statement Piece
Want to really commit to the plant lifestyle? Living walls take your green game to the next level. These vertical gardens transform entire walls into breathing, growing art installations that purify your air while looking absolutely stunning.
They’re not just for commercial spaces or fancy restaurants anymore. With the right setup and plant selection, you can create a living wall that becomes the focal point of any room. Just make sure you’ve got the environmental conditions to support it—because nothing says “I tried” quite like a wall of dead plants.
Choosing Plants That Actually Work for Your Life
Here’s where Izabela gets real: forget trends. Seriously. That fiddle leaf fig everyone’s obsessed with? If it doesn’t make your heart sing when you look at it, don’t buy it just because it’s popular.
The Soul Connection Method
When Izabela works with clients, she’s not pushing specific species or following design trends. Instead, she focuses on finding plants that genuinely resonate with each person. The plant should bring you joy and happiness every time you see it. If it doesn’t spark that feeling, keep looking.
This might sound a bit woo-woo, but think about it: you’re committing to keeping this living thing alive. You’ll see it every day. Water it. Prune it. Move it around to find the perfect light. That relationship needs to start with genuine affection, not obligation.
Environment Comes First
Real talk: you can fall madly in love with a sun-loving succulent, but if your apartment gets zero natural light, that relationship is doomed. The number one rule for plant success is matching your plant to your environmental conditions, not the other way around.
Got a dark bathroom? There’s a plant for that. Bright, sunny kitchen? Different plants will thrive there. North-facing bedroom? Yep, specific plants love those conditions too. The good news is there really is a plant for every room—you just need to pick wisely instead of impulsively.
The Plant Junkie Philosophy
IMO, what makes Izabela’s approach so refreshing is the emphasis on personal connection over perfection. She’s not telling you to fill every corner with greenery or follow some rigid design formula. Instead, she encourages thoughtful selection based on two simple criteria: will it thrive here, and does it make you happy?
This philosophy extends to her business model too. Adding plants to clients’ spaces isn’t about showing off botanical knowledge or creating showrooms. It’s about enhancing people’s daily environments in ways that feel natural and bring genuine pleasure.
When you walk into a plant-filled space that’s been designed with intention, you feel it. The air seems fresher. The room feels more alive. Your mood lifts a little. That’s not just aesthetic magic—it’s the result of choosing plants that truly belong in that space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a plant is healthy before buying it?
Check three things: the leaves should look vibrant and lush without brown spots or yellowing, the soil should be moist and rich (not bone dry or moldy), and the roots should appear healthy when you gently check the drainage holes. Avoid plants that look droopy, have lots of dead leaves, or seem stressed.
Can I really have plants in every room of my house?
Absolutely! The trick is matching the right plant to each room’s specific conditions. Low-light bathrooms can support ferns and pothos, while sunny kitchens are perfect for herbs and succulents. Even windowless offices can support snake plants or ZZ plants that tolerate artificial light. There’s genuinely a plant for every space if you choose wisely.
What’s the best way to style plants in a small apartment?
Think vertical with shelving units and hanging plants to maximize floor space. Use furniture with hidden storage to keep clutter at bay while displaying your plants. Mix different plant sizes and types on shelves alongside personal items to create interesting vignettes. The key is making every inch work harder by combining function with beauty.
Should I follow plant trends when decorating?
Not according to The Plant Junkie philosophy! Choose plants that genuinely make you happy and bring you joy when you look at them. Trends come and go, but you’ll be living with and caring for these plants daily. Personal connection matters way more than what’s popular on social media right now.
How do I incorporate my tropical plant love in a cold climate?
Many tropical plants adapt surprisingly well to indoor environments in colder climates. Focus on creating the right indoor conditions with proper humidity, temperature, and light. Group plants together to increase humidity, use grow lights if natural light is limited, and choose hardy tropical varieties that tolerate indoor living. It’s totally possible to create a jungle vibe anywhere.
What should I look for in a plant seller?
Stick with businesses that have good reputations and clearly care for their plants properly. The plants should look healthy and well-maintained, staff should be knowledgeable and helpful, and the business should stand behind their products. A trustworthy seller sets you up for success by providing plants that are already thriving before you take them home.
Bringing the Jungle Home
Whether you’re just starting your plant journey or you’re already well on your way to full Plant Junkie status, the message is clear: decorating with houseplants isn’t about perfection or following rules. It’s about creating spaces that feel alive, joyful, and authentically you.
Izabela’s approach proves that you can honor your background, adapt to new environments, and build something beautiful in the process. So grab that shelf, pick some plants that make your heart happy, and start creating your own jungle—no matter where you live or how much space you’re working with. Your future green sanctuary is waiting.
