Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer
Okay, let’s be honest. I haven’t always had the greenest of thumbs. In fact, my thumbs were more of a dusty brown, responsible for the untimely demise of many a poor, innocent houseplant. Succulents, supposedly impossible to kill? Not on my watch! I overwatered them with the best of intentions, drowning their silent screams for help beneath a deluge of tap water.
But something changed recently. Maybe it was the pandemic, maybe it was my impending sense of doom about the state of the world, or maybe (just maybe) it was finally accepting that I needed a little more life in my life – literally. So, I tentatively adopted a small, unassuming snake plant, fully expecting it to meet the same fate as its predecessors.
Benefits of Plants: More Than Just Pretty Green Faces
Sure, plants look beautiful. They add a pop of color, a touch of nature, and a certain je ne sais quoi to any room. But their benefits go way beyond the aesthetic. Did you know that studies have shown that being around plants can actually:
- Reduce stress and anxiety: Yes, really! Something about nurturing another living thing and watching it grow seems to do wonders for our mental wellbeing.
- Improve air quality: Plants are natural air purifiers, filtering out toxins and releasing oxygen. This means cleaner air for you to breathe, which is always a good thing.
- Boost your mood and creativity: Studies have shown that being around plants can actually make us happier and more productive. Who knew that the key to unlocking your inner creative genius was a fiddle-leaf fig?
Plants on Social Media: It’s Not Just You and Me
The best part? I’m not alone in my newfound obsession. Plant parenthood has officially gone mainstream. Forget cat videos, it’s all about #plantsofinstagram and #urbanjungle these days! There’s a whole community of plant lovers out there sharing tips, tricks, and hilarious tales of their own plant parenting adventures (because let’s face it, every plant parent has a story about that one time they accidentally overwatered their cactus).