Third Ward Blooms is, at first glance, a flower and plant shop. But step inside and it quickly becomes clear that it is also an art space, a cultural hub, and an expression of whimsy—just like its owner, Brittany Mayfield.
Known lovingly as the “Foliage Faerie,” Mayfield infuses her shop with the same magical energy she sees in The Spiderwick Chronicles, the movie she says best symbolizes her essence.
From the Fo-Fo to the Tre
Though she was born and raised in Acres Homes on Houston’s North Side, Mayfield proudly honors the community that shaped her adulthood through her business name.
“The name Third Ward Blooms came about because, as I tell people, I didn’t grow up as a child in Third Ward,” said Mayfield. “But, I feel like the Third Ward streets made me.”
Her transformation began when she moved into the Project Row Houses Young Mothers Residential Program.
“When I moved into the Young Mothers residential program, I was rapidly changing my life,” she recalls. “It was a little bit impulsive, but being here in Third Ward, I feel like I’ve developed so much and grown so much as a mother, a friend. I’ve cultivated much community here in Third Ward.
“So, Third Ward Blooms is more like this entire neighborhood—experiencing how it helped me and how I want to help it through beautifying, collaborating with other artists, and sharing my wealth of information and knowledge about plants and flowers.”
Road to entrepreneurship
Growing up in the “Fo-Fo” (Acres Homes), Mayfield imagined a completely different path for herself.
“At eight years old, I thought that I was going to be a theater kid dancing and singing by way to Broadway,” she says.
But, as they say, life happened. The shift from Booker T. Washington High School to Westfield was significant, but not nearly as transformative as her move to Project Row Houses in 2019–2020. It was there that plants first rooted themselves deeply into Mayfield’s life.
“My house was decorated beautifully with plants and flowers,” she says. “That turned into me doing a pop-up at a market, propagating all my plants. And I had a garden in the back where I grew eggplants, peppers, watermelons, squash, herbs, and all the things. And I sold these things at the market, and I sold out. I made so much money in a small amount of time, I was like, ‘Oh, this could be a thing.’”
When COVID hit, that “thing” became a lifeline. Plant businesses were deemed essential, and Mayfield began selling plants right off her front porch. That grassroots model blossomed into today’s brick-and-mortar location at 2304 Stuart St., across from the historic Eldorado Ballroom.
Source of joy
For Mayfield, the joy of her work is in sharing nature with people who fear they’ll never keep a plant alive.
“I love talking to people who say, ‘Oh, I don’t have a green thumb,’” she says.
To help build confidence, she created her “Plants with Ease” collection.
“That plant collection is like plants you absolutely cannot kill unless you extremely neglect them,” shared Mayfield.
But behind the humor is a deeper message.
“Plants are living, breathing, sentient beings,” she says. “So, I like for people to take care of them and not kill them.”
Joy cultivator
In turn, customers like Nuari Le Blanc give Mayfield and her shop the same joy she gives them.
“Third Ward Blooms is a step into the garden of the mind. It’s full of beauty,” said Le Blanc. “And if you would like to go in a different world within the neighborhood, it’s definitely a place to see.”
Entrepreneurial challenges
Like many small business owners, Mayfield is learning to navigate the rhythms of retail. She says one challenge is balancing expectations around projected sales. But the learning curve is broader than finances.
“Right now, I’m pretty much learning the culture of my business, the clientele, and what people want and need with the business. That’s the most challenging,” Mayfield shared.
Then there’s the practical side: Keeping flowers fresh.
“Keeping the flowers alive… that’s another challenge. So, now I’m doing more custom orders instead of holding the plants in store.”
Message to her younger self
Having weathered hardship and emerged rooted and radiant, Mayfield has heartfelt words for the younger Brittany.
“Girl, all that stuff you were crying about, it got you to right where you are. The things that I thought that I didn’t want to live anymore; all of those challenges, I’ve overcome them by the grace of God, my family, my close friends. I am truly supported. You are truly supported, Brittany. You are never alone. And you are very loved and cherished and adored.”
Looking ahead
Third Ward Blooms currently operates in an incubator space that Mayfield will have for three years. After that, she plans to expand into a location with an outdoor area.
“I am a nature enthusiast. I’m really into bird watching, native plants and flowers and things,” said Mayfield. “So, I would love to still have a space where I can cultivate all of those things and farm my own flowers.”
Ultimately, she has a bold goal.
“I want to be the wholesaler. It’s not a woman-dominated space, and you don’t see Black women in that space, as well,” she said.
But suppose the “Foliage Faerie’s” dynamic growth already achieved is any indication. In that case, Mayfield will eventually bring the same whimsical, magical energy to a space that would greatly benefit from her presence.
