The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant




The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant


We’ve all been there. Scrolling through Instagram, you’re bombarded by images of perfect homes with even more perfect houseplants. Lush, green, and vibrant, they practically scream, “Look how put-together my life is!” So, naturally, you decide to hop on the bandwagon and bring home a leafy friend of your own.

My Adventures in Plant Parenthood Begin

Let’s just say my journey into the world of plant parenthood did not start smoothly. I’m talking more “Weekend at Bernie’s” than “Secret Garden.” My first victim? A poor, unsuspecting peace lily, christened Phil. I had grand visions of Phil thriving in my care, purifying my air and generally elevating my home aesthetic. Instead, I managed to overwater him within a week, turning his once-perky leaves into something resembling soggy lettuce. Poor Phil.

life: a resilient snake plant named Stella.

Lesson #2: Growth Happens on Its Own Time (and Sometimes Not at All)

Now, Stella was a whole different ball game. This girl was tough, thriving on neglect and generally laughing in the face of my beginner gardening skills. But as the weeks turned into months, I noticed something. Stella, my steadfast companion, wasn’t really… growing. I mean, she was alive, sure, but new growth? Forget about it.

It was then I had a mini-epiphany. Here I was, obsessing over every new leaf, every subtle change, expecting Stella to sprout like a Chia Pet on fast-forward. And in the process, I was missing the point. Just like us humans, plants grow at their own pace. Some days we’re killing it, other days we’re just trying to survive. The important thing is to keep showing up, offering care and support, even when the results aren’t immediately visible.

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