More Plant-Based: How Ivy Detergent and a Radish Can Change Your Life

Sometimes the algorithm leads you exactly where you need to be. For example, I recently stumbled upon Plantaardiger's Instagram account , and it's a must-follow! A DIY laundry detergent made from ivy leaves immediately caught my eye, but what I found was much more than a handy trick. Plantaardiger is the digital domain of Natascha, a woman with a green thumb, an even greener heart, and a mission to let everyone experience how simple and enriching a plant-based lifestyle can be.

What began with a few Albert Heijn vegetable garden pots on a balcony has grown into a lush greenhouse in Kortenhoef, her own business, and a vibrant community of tens of thousands of followers. Under the name "Plantaardiger," Natascha shares her daily adventures with nature: from sowing to harvesting, from foraging to workshops. And all with one clear message: you don't have to be an expert to get started. Nature will take care of the rest, if you just dare to sow.

We asked her questions about green insights, misconceptions about gardening and why no one really has a green thumb.

What's the most unexpected thing you've learned from working with plants?

That nature is your greatest teacher. It teaches you patience, that you can't force anything. Lessons from nature have made me look at things completely differently.

What does your ultimate "plant-based day" look like, from waking up to going to bed?

Very different. On sunny days, I'm mostly working in the vegetable garden, weeding and harvesting. I'm also often creating content, which takes up a lot of my time. On rainy days, I work on my laptop, write e-books or articles, and do administrative tasks. I spend most of my time on Instagram and answering vegetable garden questions. I spend about 10 hours a day on that.

What's the biggest misconception people have about gardening or plant-based living?

Well, it's difficult, and it isn't. It has to do with where you focus your attention. Everything new takes some getting used to, but nothing is impossible.

You give workshops and foraging walks: what moment from each session really stuck with you?

I think it's the most beautiful thing there is to share that people are truly impressed by the power of plants.

Looking back on your journey from depression to plant-based living, what "green" insight has changed you the most?

Not a specific insight, but rather the bigger picture. It's all about balance. In the soil, in time, but also in life. There's no light without darkness, for example. The garden helps me ground myself and be less preoccupied. Just be. A garden doesn't judge ;)

What would you say to someone who thinks, “But I really don’t have green fingers”?

That's impossible! I've never cared about plants my whole life, and even cacti still die at home. It depends on how much effort you put into it.

If you've never grown anything before, what's the best place to start?

With something you really want to grow. But don't do too much at once, so you focus on a few plants and then expand. Or, for example, radishes because they're quick to harvest.

You also write e-books, what are they about?

My e-books are about natural gardening, working with nature, learning to sow without pesticides and in an animal-friendly way (which I find very important!) (all about seeds and their differences, when to sow, etc.), foraging, and vegetable gardening for beginners.

Whether you dream of your own vegetable garden, want to discover a sustainable lifestyle, or simply want to try something new, Plantaardiger is the perfect starting point. Natascha shows that it's not about perfect plants or complicated schedules, but about love, attention, and a little courage. Start small, learn as you go, and above all: enjoy the process.

Want to know more? Check out Plantaardiger.nl or follow her on Instagram . And who knows, you might soon be harvesting your own radishes with the greatest joy!