'Garden Fairy' Anya Lautenbach: 'I propagated 95% of the plants in my garden'

Vikki Elias

February 20, 2025 at 12:45 p.m.·3 min read

woman in garden holding flowers — A quick chat with...Anya Lautenbach dorling Kindersley/Britt Willoughby-dyer

Anya Lautenbach, a gardener, digital creator and author, talks to House Beautiful about the joys of growing seedlings, propagating 95 per cent of her garden, and her 'superpower'.

As a child, I loved growing things. I was born in Poland and was inspired by my mum and grandparents, who were passionate about nature, wildlife and plants. They grew everything and taught me how to be resourceful and not to waste anything. Aged 12, I was obsessed with propagating and still am.

In my teens, I worked as an au pair in Berlin and later settled for a while in the Scottish Highlands. I missed Poland, but nurturing herbs on my windowsills helped me feel positive. I'm a self-taught gardener and propagating 95 per cent of the plants in my Buckinghamshire garden has given me a huge sense of achievement.

woman crouching in flower bed tending plants — Anya’s love of gardening was inspired at a young age by her family who loved nature The Money-Saving Gardener

A few years ago, I was diagnosed with ADHD. I call it my 'superpower' and because of it, I'm extremely sensitive to scent – the highly perfumed borders in my garden are filled with honeysuckle, 'Matucana' sweet peas and Phlox paniculata, as well as lilac and roses, which remind me of my homeland.

Nature has always been such a comfort to me during difficult times in my life. Spending time outside in the garden is so grounding, especially when you're coping with grief and change. I'm a big believer in supporting mental health through gardening – there's so much out there to feed your soul.

garden pots containing blue flowers — Due to her love of and sensitivity to scent, Anya has packed her garden with fragrant flowers such as these delicate pastel blue Grape hyacinths Dorling Kindersley The Money Saving Gardener Year

The videos and reels that I make in my garage for YouTube and my social media accounts are the result of the experience I've gathered over 35 years. My aim is to show that anyone and everyone can get involved in gardening and enjoy the rewards it brings.

There's something quite magical about nurturing a seedling and seeing it grow into a plant. In my garden, the mature lavender hedge is one of the most scented varieties and is cultivated from 80 tiny cuttings. My latest book has month-by-month advice on what to grow, budget tips and a brilliant propagation chart, as well as mindful moments to enjoy.

I've taught them the importance of reusing and repurposing and taking care of the environment. When spring arrives, I often think about how many moths and butterflies have survived in the hollow plant stems over winter.

The garden is a rich source of materials too. Grass cuttings can be repurposed as mulch, and nettles, with their nitrogen-absorbing roots, produce incredible fertiliser. Pick them and place them in a bucket of water for three to four weeks, stirring occasionally. Molehills make great soil for containers, and pruned branches are ideal plant supports. My garden really is a playground for the senses, where I can relax and get creative.

The Money-Saving Garden Year (Dorling Kindersley) by Anya is out now. Follow her @anya_thegarden_fairy

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