Turns out, keeping a plant alive is a bit more involved than I initially thought (who knew?). Suddenly, I was Googling things like “How much sunlight does a cactus need?” and “What is perlite?” I learned about drainage, humidity, and the mysterious world of fertilizers. It was like going on a series of awkward first dates, trying to understand the needs and desires of this silent, leafy being.

But here’s the thing: I started to enjoy it. There was something oddly satisfying about figuring out the perfect watering schedule for Harold or noticing a new spike emerge. It was like cracking a code, except the reward was a living, breathing organism (well, breathing might be a stretch, but you get the idea).

Celebrating the Small Wins: Plant Parenthood Milestones

Being a plant parent is all about celebrating the small stuff. Here are a few personal highlights that made me feel like I was finally winning at this whole adulting thing:

• The day Harold finally flowered: It was a single, tiny bloom, but I swear, I almost cried. I immediately sent a picture to everyone I knew, like a proud parent showing off their kid’s finger painting.
• Successfully propagating my first succulent: Turns out, you can grow a whole new plant from just a leaf! It felt like actual magic, and now I have baby succulents popping up everywhere.
• Keeping a peace lily alive for more than six months: For someone who used to kill cacti, this felt like a major accomplishment. Take that, plant demons of my past!