About Us
At Word & Plant, we believe in the power of plants to heal, inspire, and connect. Our name is rooted in an ancient adage: “First the word, then the plant, lastly the knife.” This wisdom from Asclepias of Thessaly, a healer from circa 1,000 BC, reflects our guiding philosophy:
First the word: Understanding, intention, and humble inquiry.
Then the plant: Reasoned action, growth, and healing.
Lastly the knife: Letting go of what no longer serves, making space for renewal.
Rooted in Community
Word & Plant is about more than plants; it’s about people and relationships. Helping folks reconnect with nature and with themselves is at the heart of all that we do. From hosting school garden projects and therapeutic horticulture initiatives that focus on imperfection, understanding, and self-acceptance, we’re dedicated to providing a haven for people to understand the natural world and their place in it.
An Actual Haven
As of April 2025, Word & Plant’s Garden Haven and Farm is a real place in Pittsboro, NC! We’re busy transforming our little diamond-in-the-rough 3.5 acre property into a place to host visitors for workshops, specialty plant sales, and events!
Our vibrant teaching and therapeutic gardens will center on edible, medicinal, and dye plants (with most being native to the Southeastern US) so visitors can meet the plants in their lush ecosystems and learn through immersion.
I’m Deena Class, the founder of Word & Plant and the person behind every project we undertake. My journey with plants began over 25 years ago as an herbalist and skincare formulator, crafting skincare items and other natural remedies and teaching others how to work with plants for health and wellness. My work organically grew into gardening, therapeutic horticulture, and ethnobotanical education, where I teach topics like natural dyeing, soapmaking, and the cultural stories of plants. I love working with people of all ages from kindergarten through the twilight years.
Living and working in seven countries across four continents has shaped my perspective on the rich and diverse ways people connect with plants. These experiences, paired with my expertise in native plants, aromatic herbs, medicinal plants, dye plants, edible landscapes, and sustainable gardening, fuel my passion for creating spaces that are functional, beautiful, and meaningful.
