Rising Stars: Meet Victoria Bernhardt of Muskegon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Bernhardt.

Hi Victoria, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My love for nature has always been prevalent since the beginning. Some of my first memories are from gardening with my mom at our home in Glenside. I was constantly outside, whether playing at McGraft Park or swimming in Lake Michigan.
In college, there was a point when I realized that my health did not feel balanced and was not at its best. One day, feeling a bit melancholy looking around a store, I saw this poor little Aloe plant on clearance. I told the aloe, “I can save you. I’ll take your weak leaves and make them strong again.” I mended this plant and brought it back to health; while doing so, I felt that caring for my new plant assisted with the balance in returning to my body. My “Plant Passion” grew from there.
I found peace in taking care of houseplants in my dorm room. I started a collection, and by the time COVID hit, I had about 70 houseplants. My whole apartment looked like a greenhouse! I isolated myself with my plants during that time. I studied them. I tried new tricks to propagate new plants. I found comfort in gifting my plants to friends or family members and in return they gave me their sick plants to heal. I loved it!
A friend had mentioned that I had a real “Green Thumb,” not just a passion for this work, and that I could probably make a business out of it. From that moment on, I couldn’t stop thinking about this idea of “Little Miss Green Thumb”. I applied for a Chalet on Western Avenue and sold plants potted in thrifted containers to promote a sustainable mindset. Customers dropped off plants for me to “rehab” and expressed gratitude for a plant professional giving them care advice. I started hosting “Planting Parties” for family birthdays, celebrations, or team bonding experiences. These Planting Parties include care tips and provide an outlet for people to get out of their headspace, connect with nature and each other!
Now, you can find Little Miss Green Thumb’s plant shop inside The Corner building (280 W. Muskegon Ave). I love to book Planting Parties and conduct plant rehabs. You can even build your own plant! You can bring in unused containers to plant in or your own plant and pot it in a sustainably sourced container here. You are welcome to join for one of the monthly plant swaps! This allows everyone in the community the chance to connect and share their love of all things green. I’ve even grown into having a growing list of gardens I visit and care for. I’m so incredibly blessed to bloom where I’ve been planted.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There’s always going to be challenges with any new endeavor. We have to step out of our comfort zone to find where the growth is happening.
Before I had the space in The Corner, I would travel to do “Plant Pop-ups” to get my brand out there. This was a one-woman show, loading my car with as many plant creations as possible! I would frequently drive to Grand Rapids or Grand Haven, constantly loading and unloading plants. Every weekend, rain or snow, I would be at a new location or coffee shop- I even went in a blizzard once or twice! In winter, I would risk the plants getting too cold or damaged on the drive. Plants would spill over in my car or get dropped and broken right there in front of me. I’ll still do Plant Pop-ups from time to time, but now I’m more careful about transporting plants.
I would say, my biggest struggle now is informing people of where they can find me! The Corner is such an amazing space and right off of 3rd street. Anyone can come to my little slice of plant heaven.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Little Miss Green Thumb is a one-stop plant shop. I specialize in cultivating a personalized experience with houseplants in thrifted pots and containers. Anyone can buy a plant from my store, do a build-your-own, or get help for their sick plant. Whether it’s repotting or trimming back a plant, I’m Muskegon’s crazy plant lady. You’ve heard of plant shops, but I think I may be the only one in West Michigan where you can drop off your plant or schedule a home visit for a plant rehabilitation service.
I’m most proud of my Planting Parties. These parties are a great way to teach others the importance of caring for nature and connecting it to mental health. People often forget that even smelling dirt can produce serotonin – the happy chemical that boosts your mood. The color green tricks the brain into thinking it’s in nature and calms your body. For a healthy household, there should be a plant every 10 square ft for fresh oxygen that is released from plants! I like to joke that I save plants, but in reality, they save us!

What matters most to you? Why?
The connections I make with people matter the most. Whether they buy their first or their 30th plant- the joy on their face is truly special. I’ll run into customers downtown and ask for updates on their plant babies. “There’s a new leaf!” They exclaim! After a home visit repotting a plant. Sometimes, I’ll get a message the next day saying, “My plants are so happy after your visit. I can’t explain it, but I can tell!”
Their excitement is like they’re seeing magic right before their eyes. When you think you aren’t capable of doing anything in life, yet in the corner of the room you see your plant with new growth, you find a new pride and confidence in the day. Yes, plants make people happy. I want to make sure I can assist people in finding that happiness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://little-miss-green-thumb.square.site/
• Instagram: greenthumb.mkg
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlemissgreenthumb