Unlocking Potential #20: Q&A With Maya Cole

Unlocking Potential is back, and this one is for anyone who’s ever apologized to a dying pothos. Maya—the plant whisperer who’s helped keep the greenery at Garth’s Brew Bar alive—has a way of making plant care feel less like a mysterious talent and more like a learnable relationship. Her answers are equal parts practical (a foolproof watering trick), generous (permission to stop saying you “don’t have a green thumb”), and quietly hopeful: people care about plants more than we think…we just have to notice.

Let’s dive in.

Q: You’ve helped bring life to the space at Garth’s Brew Bar with plants—what’s one “small” change you made (or always make) that most people wouldn’t think matters, but it’s the difference between plants thriving vs. barely surviving?

Just like I drink a large glass of water before my next round of beer, pay attention to your indoor plant’s hydration!

One foolproof method: pick up your plant and its pot when it’s dry. Got it? Remember how light it feels? Now water your plant thoroughly. Let the water drain for several minutes. Stick your finger in the soil up to your second knuckle of your index finger. Feel damp or still dry? If dry, repeat like above. If damp, pick plant and pot up again. Feel the weight difference? In general, you can water when the plant is right in the sweet spot of those two weights.

Q: What’s a belief you used to have about gardening—something you were sure was true—that you’ve changed your mind about after volunteering around Madison? What changed it?

I always thought that most people didn’t notice plants or care about our botanical neighbors. Boy was I wrong. Plants bring out the best in us – we smile more; we notice when their leaves droop; we get excited when they flower; they make us downright hoppy (couldn’t resist.)

I’ve worked in several cafes, on the grounds of Epic, at Olbrich’s Conservatory and over 30 private homes. Everyone I have met, from baristas to coffee drinkers to horticulturalists to folks who do not describe themselves as gardeners respond positively to the plant life around us. It is all a matter of noticing.

Q: If you could give a busy Madison person one constraint for the next 30 days to become a noticeably better plant parent (a rule, ritual, or boundary), what would it be?

For the next 30 days, your constraint is to refrain from saying to yourself, “I’m not good with plants,” or “I don’t have a green thumb,” or “I don’t know anything…”

Then, for five minutes in the morning once a week (while you’re waiting for coffee to brew) create a ritual. Spend time with your plant. Be curious. Touch it. Put it in a window or set it on your nightstand. Notice all the different aspects of its form. You don’t have to be a perfect plant parent. Just do your best. And ask questions – see below. People love talking about plants.

Q: Beverage check (since I own Garth’s Brew Bar…gotta ask): after a day of volunteering / getting your hands in dirt, what’s your go-to drink—at Garth’s or anywhere else?

I’m always thrilled when Garth’s brings in a special beer for Women’s History Month. It’s so cool to support women brewers and this time it’s from Half Acre Beer Company. Foam Fairy – a Pale Ale. Gotta Love It. We could all use some garden fairies this Spring.

From Maya: If you still have questions, hand them to Garth’s Brew Bar beertender and leave me a way to contact you. I will do my best in April to answer your one planty question!

Stay Positive & Can I See Your Thumb Again?