My Descent into Plant Parenthood (and Chaos)
It all started innocently enough. A cute little succulent here, a vibrant peace lily there. “How hard could it be?” I thought, naively gazing at my burgeoning plant family. Oh, sweet summer child, I was in for a wild ride.
My first victim? A majestic fiddle leaf fig, coveted by many for its Instagram-worthy leaves. I showered it with love (and maybe a little too much water). The result? A dramatic wilting act that would put any Shakespearean tragedy to shame.
Turns out, there’s an unspoken rulebook for plant parents, and the first rule is etched in stone (or maybe potting soil): Do not overwater. Easier said than done, my friends.
I’ve learned the hard way that plants, unlike us drama queens, thrive on neglect. A light touch is key. I even resorted to sticking my finger in the soil (don’t judge) to gauge its moisture level before succumbing to my watering can’s siren song.
But the overwatering saga doesn’t end there. Oh no, I managed to take it a step further. Enter the infamous drainage hole incident. Convinced that my precious monstera needed extra hydration (it didn’t), I left it standing in a pool of water. Root rot, my nemesis, quickly reared its ugly head.
Rule #2: Finding the Right Sunlight for Your Plants
Next on the plant parenthood syllabus: deciphering the enigma of sunlight. Apparently, not all sunlight is created equal. Who knew?
My poor spider plant, bless its heart, endured weeks of scorching afternoon sun on my south-facing windowsill. Cue the crispy edges and dramatic leaf drop. It looked like it had gone through a curling iron malfunction.