Published Works by Gynelle Leon
A celebration of two beautifully crafted plant books that blend expert knowledge with visual storytelling. From PRICK, a modern take on cacti and succulents, to PLANT, a stylish guide to houseplants, these volumes reflect a deep love of plants and design. Every page is shaped by hands-on research, exploratory home interviews, and Gynelle’s distinctive photographic eye, resulting in books that are as informative as they are visually compelling.
PRICK: Cacti and Succulents – Choosing, Styling, Caring
Amazon Bestseller | Published by Octopus, Hachette 2017
PRICK is more than just a plant book; it’s a modern take on cacti and succulents in a category dominated mainly by books dating back to the 1970s. It became an Amazon Bestseller for three months and has since been translated into six languages, helping to reignite global interest in these resilient and sculptural plants. It helped spark a new wave of enthusiasm for cacti and succulents globally.
I wrote and photographed every page of PRICK, drawing inspiration from research I carried out at the RHS Library and the homes of plant lovers I interviewed and documented. This book was the foundation for a movement, showcasing plants in a fresh, stylish context and highlighting their place in our modern homes and culture.
PLANT: House Plants – Choosing, Styling, Caring
Published by Octopus, Hachette 2021
PLANT is a follow-up to PRICK, expanding the conversation to include leafy foliage, trailing vines, and tropical greens. It’s a modern guide for selecting, styling, and nurturing houseplants, designed to be both inspiring and practical.
Again, I handled both the writing and photography, capturing the vibrancy and diversity of houseplants in real homes and stylish spaces. I know firsthand how demanding writing a book can be and what an incredible international marketing tool it becomes when done right. Both PRICK and PLANT have cemented my reputation for blending botanical expertise with cultural storytelling, shaped by my distinctive photographic eye, artistic curiosity and an intuitive sense of what resonates in today’s visual landscape.