We’ve all been there. You’re strolling through the grocery store, minding your own business, when suddenly—BAM!—you lock eyes with the most perfect peace lily in the floral department. It’s love at first sight. You just have to give it a home.
Plant Parent Dreams vs. Reality
That’s how I ended up with Herbert. Yes, I named my plant. Don’t judge. I had dreams of becoming a legendary plant parent. My Instagram would be overflowing with lush greenery. My friends would shower me with compliments like, “Wow, you have such a green thumb!” and “Teach me your ways, oh wise plant whisperer!”
Reality, however, was less “green goddess” and more “plant Grim Reaper.” Herbert, my poor peace lily, began its slow descent into a sad, droopy mess. I tried everything: watering on a schedule, neglecting to water on a schedule (you know, for consistency), singing to it (don’t ask). Nothing worked. Herbert remained stubbornly un-Instagrammable.
So, I did. I stopped overthinking it. I watered when the soil felt dry, I gave him some indirect sunlight, and I resisted the urge to constantly fuss over him. And guess what? Herbert perked up! He even sprouted a new leaf, which I took as a sign of forgiveness for my previous overzealous parenting.
Lesson #2: The Resilience of Plants (and People)
Herbert taught me another valuable lesson: resilience. This little plant endured weeks of my well-intentioned but ultimately misguided attempts at care. He bounced back from the brink of plant-death. If Herbert could survive my inconsistent watering and off-key singing, I could handle anything life threw my way, right?