The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant




The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant


We all know the stereotype: plant parent, crazy cat lady, insert your preferred harmless eccentricity here. Well, I never thought I’d be the plant person. Give me a bouquet of flowers any day, but a living, breathing thing that relied on me for survival? No thanks, I kill succulents just by looking at them.

How One Little Plant Changed Everything

Then came Herbert. Yes, I named my plant. Don’t judge. He was a birthday gift from my best friend, a sprightly little peace lily in a charmingly chipped pot. My friend, an actual plant whisperer, swore Herbert was low-maintenance. “Just water him when the soil is dry,” she said. “He practically thrives on neglect!” Famous last words.

Herbert seemed content, even perky. Then came the drooping. The yellowing leaves. The distinct feeling that I, a fully grown adult, was failing to keep a houseplant alive. Turns out, “neglect” is a relative term. Who knew plants needed sunlight, too? (Don’t judge me, I’m a work in progress.)

Lesson #1: Faking It ‘Til You Make It With Plant Care

Desperate to save Herbert (and my pride), I turned to the internet, that vast repository of both wisdom and questionable advice. I learned about drainage, fertilizer, and the importance of talking to your plants (don’t worry, I kept it brief). I even downloaded a plant care app, because apparently that’s a thing now.

Slowly but surely, Herbert started to rally. His leaves perked up, regained their vibrant green, and even sprouted a new growth. Was I a natural? Absolutely not. Did I spend an embarrassing amount of time Googling things like “how to tell if my plant needs water” and “can plants get sunburned?” You bet. But I was learning, adapting, and most importantly, keeping Herbert alive.

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