Growing plants is about more than just making something sprout. It’s a mindful pause from everyday life, a chance to create with your own hands, and a true joy when the first shoots emerge. For the founders of New Botanic—garden designer Nicole Wilson and creatives Hanna Fallenius, Peter Lindgren, and Hannes Kerstell—gardening is both a passion and a way of life. With a blend of design sensibility, curiosity, and hands-on experience, they aim to make growing plants easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

New Botanic was born from a shared love of plants, color, and form—along with a desire to make gardening accessible to all, whether you have a sprawling backyard or just a windowsill. We sat down with Hanna and Nicole to hear more about how it all started, why gardening is so close to their hearts, and which seeds they recommend for a flourishing season.

You all have different backgrounds in design, communication, and gardening—how did you find each other, and when was the idea for New Botanic born?

Our paths crossed through our daughters, who are best friends. We quickly discovered that we shared a passion for gardening—whenever we picked up or dropped off our kids at each other's homes, one of us could always be found with our hands in the soil.

Through our shared love of growing, we started talking about how much joy and relaxation it brings us. We truly believe that more people would benefit from gardening! At the same time, we realized that getting started can be overwhelming—it’s a jungle of seeds and products out there, and it’s not always easy to know what to choose. That’s when we saw an opportunity for a new kind of brand that makes gardening more accessible. That idea became the foundation for New Botanic.

Our vision was to create something completely new in the gardening industry—a concept that feels modern, accessible, and beautiful, with the power to attract new audiences to the category. By combining influences and expertise from the fashion and design world with branding knowledge and our own experience in gardening and landscape design, we develop curated growing collections based on trends, needs, and the realities of urban and home growers. These collections are packaged with a “meal kit” approach—everything you need is included so you can start growing immediately. We hope this lowers the barriers and inspires more people to discover the joy of gardening.

What made you choose to focus specifically on gardening and seeds?

At the core, it’s simply because we love gardening. Watching something grow is fun, rewarding, and relaxing—and the result is both beautiful and delicious. Our biggest motivation is getting more people to experience that feeling.

For beginners looking to start growing this spring, which three plants from your collections (available at Grandpa) would you recommend?

The Cucumber Curtain is the perfect crop for beginners—it gives you a big reward with little effort. Cucumbers can be grown indoors in a pot, making them accessible to everyone, whether you live in an apartment or a house. They grow easily and produce quickly—just 2–3 months after planting the seeds, you’ll be harvesting mini cucumbers right from your windowsill. Plus, they’re stunning! With their climbing vines and lush leaves, they frame your window like a natural curtain.

Tomatoes are another exciting crop to grow. In fact, tomatoes are the most popular plant to grow in Sweden, and it’s easy to see why—nothing beats the taste of a homegrown tomato. However, choosing the right variety can be tricky since there are thousands to choose from. That’s why we created the Tomato Tasting Collection, featuring carefully selected tomatoes that are either highly productive, incredibly flavorful, or uniquely beautiful. We love having a mix of colors and shapes on our plates—enjoying them with all our senses. This collection includes everything you need to get started, along with step-by-step instructions, making it ideal for beginners.

Another great option is nasturtium. This easy-to-grow flower thrives in pots, balcony boxes, or garden beds. It grows quickly and becomes wonderfully lush, blooming continuously throughout the season. Nasturtium is also edible, with a peppery taste similar to arugula—perfect for adding both its leaves and flowers to salads.

Which seeds would you recommend for someone with only a windowsill or a balcony versus someone with a garden?

For apartment dwellers, we recommend the Cucumber Curtain and the potted tomato variety Vilma. Vilma is a compact tomato plant that grows perfectly in a pot indoors or on a balcony. Since tomatoes love warmth, place them in a sunny and sheltered spot to maximize your harvest. Both of these crops also work well for balcony gardening.

What’s the most common mistake beginners make, and how can they avoid it?

One classic beginner mistake is incorrect watering—either too much or too little. If the soil isn’t moist enough, the seeds won’t germinate, but if it’s too wet, they may rot. The key is balance—stick your finger into the soil to check that it’s moist but not soaking. We also recommend watering seedlings from below, allowing the soil to absorb what it needs. Any excess water left on the tray should be poured out to prevent overwatering.

What are you currently growing, and do you have a personal favorite among your seeds?

Oh, that’s a tough question! It’s always a challenge to limit ourselves at the start of the growing season when there are so many dreams to fulfill.

Late March to early April is a great time to plant sweet peas. This beautiful and rewarding flower can be grown in large pots, garden beds, or directly in the ground. Since it’s a climbing plant, it needs a trellis or support to grow on. Sweet peas are incredibly productive—the more you pick, the more they bloom. We have a lovely variety called Spencer Old Times, which we’re especially excited to grow this year.

How would you describe your personal style?

Nicole: I love mixing masculine workwear elements with feminine touches. I often wear wide-leg trousers paired with shirts—comfortable yet stylish.

Hanna: I’d describe my style as classic with a playful twist. I love a great pair of jeans and a well-cut shirt, but I always like to add something colorful or patterned to make it feel more personal. I have a particular weakness for leopard print—I never get tired of it, and luckily, it comes back in fashion now and then!

Finally, your top three favorites at Grandpa right now?

Hanna:

The green set from Nudie. I love matching sets like this—besides looking great, it’s insanely comfortable. I’ll be living in this outfit all spring.

The pink knitted sweater from Brixtol. Such a gorgeous color, especially paired with the green set. Great fit and a lovely thick knit.

The stunning pink coat from Brixtol. I have a winter version of this coat that I’ve practically lived in during the cold months. Now, I want to swap it for this fresh and cheerful spring version. I’m sure I’ll feel happy every time I wear it!

Nicole:

The Brixtol trousers with fringed details—super comfy and stylish.

The floral dress from Munthe—I love floral prints on a dark background. Feminine but not overly romantic.

The blue knitted sweater from Sibin Linnebjerg—the vibrant blue really pops, and it makes me happy!