life,” you think, picturing yourself, a modern-day plant whisperer, radiating serenity and maybe even sporting a stylishly macrame’d plant hanger or two.
Green Dreams, Brown Thumb Reality
This, my friends, is exactly how I ended up with Herbert. He was a majestic peace lily, at least in the garden center he was. Back home, nestled in my carefully chosen ceramic pot, Herbert seemed less “zen master” and more “worried hostage.” My journey from aspiring plant parent to reluctant plant undertaker had begun.
Lesson Two: Pay Attention to the Subtle Cues
As I (slowly) became better acquainted with Herbert’s needs, I started noticing the subtle ways he communicated. Droopy leaves? He was thirsty. Leaves turning yellow? Too much sun. A dramatic fainting episode? Okay, I still haven’t figured out what that was about, but the point is, I was learning to read the signs. Just like with people, sometimes the most important messages aren’t the loudest, but the quiet, consistent cues we often overlook.