Just Relaxed Blog

Tag: houseplants

  • Is My Houseplant Silently Judging My Life Choices? (The Evidence is Compelling)

    Is My Houseplant Silently Judging My Life Choices? (The Evidence is Compelling)

    Is My Houseplant Judging My Life Choices? (The Evidence is Compelling)

    We’ve all been there. You’re sprawled on the couch, three episodes deep into a true crime documentary marathon, when you suddenly feel a presence. You glance around, expecting to see a nosy neighbor peering through the window, but then you lock eyes with… your houseplant. And in that moment, you just know it’s judging you.

    Does Your Houseplant Give You the Side-Eye?

    Okay, maybe “judging” is a strong word. But I swear, my Monstera Deliciosa, Ferdinand, has perfected the art of the side-eye. It’s especially potent when I’m indulging in my less-than-ideal habits. You know, like attempting (and failing) to make three-course meals from those meal kit services, or letting laundry pile up until it resembles Mount Washmore.

    Ferdinand‘s leaves drooping lower than usual. Coincidence? I think not. He’d heard my cynical commentary and decided love was officially dead.

    My Plant’s Perfect Routine vs. My Chaotic Life

    Another reason for my suspicions? Ferdinand is the epitome of consistency. He thrives on routine, soaking up his weekly watering and basking in the sunlight streaming through my living room window. I, on the other hand, am more of a “fly by the seat of my pants” kind of gal. My sleep schedule is a suggestion, my diet is questionable at best, and my apartment cleaning routine? Let’s just say Ferdinand has witnessed things…

    He’s like the silent, leafy embodiment of all the things I should be doing: drinking enough water, getting eight hours of sleep, maybe even developing a green thumb of my own (a girl can dream, right?).

    Did My Houseplant Just Show Signs of Approval?

    And then there’s the evidence that really solidified my theory. A few weeks ago, after a particularly productive day where I actually, you know, adult-ed, I noticed something amazing. Ferdinand had sprouted a new leaf! It was vibrant green, reaching towards the sunlight like a tiny, triumphant flag.

  • Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer: The Unexpected Joys of Plant Parenthood (and Why You Should Join the Club)

    Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer: The Unexpected Joys of Plant Parenthood (and Why You Should Join the Club)



    Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer: The Unexpected Joys of Plant Parenthood

    From Black Thumb to Proud Plant Parent: My Journey

    Let’s be honest, I used to be a plant killer. I’m talking serial succulent assassin, notorious cactus crusher. If it was green and needed sunlight, I was its worst nightmare. My apartment looked more like a graveyard for leafy victims than a haven for living things.

    Then, something changed. Maybe it was the pandemic, maybe it was a quarter-life crisis, or maybe (just maybe) it was the adorable little ZZ plant I impulsively bought at the grocery store. Whatever the reason, I decided to give this whole plant thing another go. And you know what? I’m obsessed.

    Plants

    Okay, hear me out. Plants have personalities. They just do! My peace lily, for example, is a total drama queen. She wilts at the slightest sign of thirst, basically staging a dramatic fainting scene until I give her a good watering. My spider plant, on the other hand, is the chill friend everyone wishes they had. He just churns out baby spider plants like it’s nobody’s business, always down to share the love (and propagate!).

    Seriously, observing their quirks and growth habits becomes strangely entertaining. It’s like having a bunch of tiny, green roommates who communicate through silent, yet expressive, gestures.

    Unexpected Joy #2: Plant Parenthood: Self-Care in Disguise

    Remember that whole stress-relief thing I mentioned earlier? Turns out, taking care of plants is surprisingly therapeutic. Who needs a meditation app when you can just repot a succulent and get your hands dirty?

    Here’s a quick rundown of the unexpected mental health benefits of being a plant parent:

    • Mindfulness Boost: Watering, pruning, and checking on your plants forces you to slow down and be present in the moment.
    • Sense of Accomplishment: Watching your plant babies thrive under your care? Talk about a confidence boost!
    • Connection to Nature: Even if you live in a concrete jungle, having plants around brings a touch of the outdoors in, which can be incredibly grounding.
  • Is My Houseplant Silently Judging My Life Choices? (The Evidence is Compelling)

    Is My Houseplant Silently Judging My Life Choices? (The Evidence is Compelling)




    Do Houseplants Judge Your Life Choices? (The Evidence)


    When My Fiddle Leaf Fig Nearly Gave Me a Panic Attack

    I swear, it was like something out of a sitcom. There I was, sprawled on the kitchen floor, sobbing over a dating app fail (don’t judge!), when I noticed it. Beatrice, my normally placid fiddle leaf fig, was… drooping. Not just a little thirsty droop, but a full-on, “I’m so disappointed in you, I might just drop all my leaves” kind of droop.

    Now, I know what you’re thinking: “It’s a plant! It doesn’t judge!” But hear me out. This wasn’t just a one-time thing. Beatrice and I, we’ve got history. A long, leafy, slightly passive-aggressive history.

    Beatrice remembers. How do I know? Let’s just say the new leaf she sprouted that week was a particularly sickly shade of yellow. Coincidence? I think not.

    Look, I’m not saying she’s got a direct line to my conscience (though I wouldn’t put it past her), but the timing is always impeccable. Big deadline at work? Beatrice starts shedding leaves like they’re going out of style. Successfully navigated a tricky social situation? Boom! New growth everywhere, practically glowing with pride.

    Can a Peace Lily Sense a Clean Apartment?

    And it’s not just Beatrice. Oh no, my friend, the judgment is strong with all my plant children. Take Percy, my peace lily. For months, he was this sad, droopy mess. I’m talking barely clinging to life, giving me serious “Weekend at Bernie’s” vibes.

    Then, what can only be described as a miracle occurred. I finally cleaned my apartment. Like, really cleaned it. And Percy? Well, let’s just say he’s never looked more alive. He’s practically throwing new blooms at me, like, “See Susan, this is what happens when you’re not a complete disaster!”

  • The Unexpected Joys of Being a Plant Parent (and Why You Should Join the Club)

    The Unexpected Joys of Being a Plant Parent (and Why You Should Join the Club)




    The Unexpected Joys of Being a Plant Parent (and Why You Should Join the Club)


    From Black Thumb to Proud Plant Parent

    Let’s be honest, I wasn’t always a natural nurturer. In fact, my thumbs were practically charcoal black. I’m talking “forget to water a cactus” levels of neglect. But then, something magical happened. I got a plant as a gift – a spunky little ZZ plant with leaves so shiny, they could reflect the moon. And somehow, against all odds, I kept it alive. Not just alive, but thriving. That’s when I realized: there’s more to this plant parenting thing than meets the eye.

    Story Time: When My Plants Talked Back (Sort Of)

    One morning, I woke up to find my peace lily dramatically drooping. It looked like it had just received some seriously bad news. “Oh no,” I thought, “I’ve killed Phil the Peace Lily!” Turns out, all Phil needed was a tall glass of water. As soon as I quenched his thirst, he perked right back up, leaves reaching for the sky like a grateful toddler. It was a powerful lesson: Plants communicate! And they’re not subtle about it. Learning their language (droopy leaves, yellowing tips, new growth spurts) is half the fun – and panic-inducing, at times. But hey, who needs a therapist when you can analyze your fern’s mood swings?

  • Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer (and Why You Should Totally Join My Green Thumb Club)

    Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer (and Why You Should Totally Join My Green Thumb Club)

    From Black Thumb to Proud Plant Parent

    Let’s be real, folks. A few years ago, if you told me I’d be the proud parent of a thriving jungle of indoor plants, I would’ve laughed (and then probably accidentally killed a cactus with too much love). I was the queen of the black thumb, notorious for turning even the most resilient succulents into mushy, brown messes.

    But then, something magical happened. It started innocently enough, with a humble little snake plant named Steve. To my utter shock, Steve not only survived my care but actually seemed to thrive. That’s when I realized: maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t destined for a life of plant homicide.

  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant

    My Brown Thumb Gets Greener

    Let’s be honest, I’m about as far from a “plant person” as you can get. My idea of plant care used to be giving it a hopeful glance every few days and hoping for the best (spoiler alert: it rarely worked). So, when my well-intentioned friend gifted me a peace lily for my birthday, I accepted it with a mix of gratitude and terror.

    “Don’t worry,” my friend chirped, “Peace lilies are practically indestructible!” Famous last words.

    Lesson 1: Learning to Let Go (and Water Less)

    My peace lily, which I creatively named Lily, thrived for about five minutes before taking a nosedive. Leaves drooped, turned an alarming shade of yellow, and I’m pretty sure I heard it sigh dramatically once or twice. I tried everything – watering it more, watering it less, singing to it (don’t judge). Nothing worked.

    Finally, I admitted defeat and consulted the internet. Turns out, I was being a helicopter plant parent, hovering and fussing way too much. Lily, much like a stubborn toddler, just needed some space to do its thing. So, I took a deep breath, backed off on the constant watering, and… she perked right up.

    It was a valuable lesson in letting go, trusting the process, and maybe not projecting my own anxieties onto a poor, defenseless houseplant.

    Lesson 2: The Unexpected Resilience of a Peace Lily

    Just when Lily and I found our groove, disaster struck. I left for a weekend trip and, in a move that can only be described as peak “me,” completely forgot to ask anyone to water her. I returned to a scene of utter devastation. Lily was beyond droopy, practically a pile of wilted leaves in a pot. I was ready to hold a plant funeral.

    But then, a glimmer of hope. A single, defiant green shoot emerged from the seemingly lifeless stems. Against all odds, Lily was making a comeback. I nurtured her back to health (this time with the help of a handy watering reminder app), and she rewarded me with more lush growth than ever before.

  • Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer (and Why You Should Totally Join My Green Thumb Club)

    Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer (and Why You Should Totally Join My Green Thumb Club)





    From Black Thumb to Proud Plant Parent

    Let’s be real, folks. I used to be the Queen of Cactus Carnage. Seriously, I could kill a succulent with a single glance. My thumbs weren’t just black, they were shrouded in a mysterious, plant-wilting aura. But then, something magical happened. I adopted a sad little fern from the clearance rack at the grocery store, figuring I had nothing to lose. To my utter shock, that fern not only survived, it thrived! And thus began my unexpected journey into the wonderful, wacky world of plant parenthood.

    Plant Therapy!

    Remember those adult coloring books everyone went crazy for? Yeah, well, plant parenting is like that, but a thousand times better. There’s something incredibly therapeutic about digging your hands in the soil, pruning away dead leaves, and giving your leafy companions a good shower. It’s like meditation, but with more chlorophyll. And the best part? Plants don’t judge your messy bun or mismatched pajamas.

    Plus, watching your plants flourish is incredibly rewarding. Every new leaf, every bloom, is a tiny victory dance against my former plant-killing self. It’s proof that I can, in fact, keep something alive besides myself (most days, at least).

    Benefits of Indoor Plants: From Home Decor to Health Boosters

    Forget those expensive throw pillows and scented candles. Nothing livens up a room like a vibrant monstera or a cascading string of pearls. Plants add instant personality and a touch of nature to any space, without breaking the bank. Plus, they’re the ultimate conversation starters. Forget awkward small talk, just tell me about your favorite houseplant and let’s be friends!

    Here are a few bonus perks of decorating with plants:

    • They purify the air, so you can breathe easy knowing your home is an oxygen oasis.
    • They can boost your mood and creativity. Studies have shown that being around plants can reduce stress and improve focus.
    • They’re low-maintenance pets. No walks in the rain, no litter boxes to clean, just pure, leafy goodness.
  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant




    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant


    From Black Thumb to Budding Botanist: My Houseplant Journey

    Let’s be honest, my history with plants was more akin to a crime scene than a flourishing garden. I’d pick up a perfectly healthy fern, only to have it wither faster than my hopes of ever understanding cryptocurrency. But then, something changed. Maybe it was a moment of temporary insanity, or perhaps a desperate plea to add some life (literally) to my apartment, but I adopted a little ZZ plant I affectionately named Ferdinand.

    Ferdinand, I assumed, would be just like the rest – destined for that big plant shop in the sky. Yet, to my utter shock, he thrived. In fact, he did more than thrive, he flourished! Under my, shall we say, “unconventional” care, he grew like a weed (a very aesthetically pleasing weed, I might add). That’s when I realized Ferdinand was trying to tell me something. This wasn’t just about keeping a plant alive; this was about life lessons, whispered through rustling leaves and stubborn roots.

    Plant

    Ferdinand, you see, is the king of bouncing back. I’m talking forgot-to-water-him-for-three-weeks kind of bouncing back. I’d sheepishly poke at his soil, convinced I’d return to find a pile of wilted sadness. But nope, there he’d be, as perky as ever, silently judging my forgetfulness (I swear he gives me side-eye).

    Turns out, ZZ plants are notoriously low-maintenance. They can handle neglect, low light, and even the occasional accidental drop (don’t judge, I’m clumsy). And that’s when it hit me: resilience isn’t about never facing challenges, it’s about how you handle them. Just like Ferdinand, we all have the inner strength to weather the storms and come out stronger on the other side.

    Lesson #2: Patience, Young Padawan – Embracing the Growth Process

    Now, I’m a bit of an instant gratification kind of gal. I want results, and I want them now. But Ferdinand, in his infinite wisdom, taught me the value of patience. I’d eagerly inspect him every day, convinced I’d missed a growth spurt.

    “Come on, little buddy, grow!” I’d whisper, as if that would magically speed up the process.

    But growth, like most good things in life, takes time. And then, one day, when I least expected it, there it was: a brand new shoot, unfurling towards the light. Ferdinand reminded me that growth isn’t always linear or immediate. Sometimes, the most significant changes happen beneath the surface, slowly but surely, until one day, you wake up and realize how far you’ve come.

  • Is My Houseplant Judging My Life Choices? (I’m Starting to Think So)

    Is My Houseplant Judging My Life Choices? (I’m Starting to Think So)



    We’ve all been there, right? Staring into the abyss of a messy living room at 3 am, questioning every decision that led us to this very moment. But lately, I’ve started to feel like I’m not alone in my existential dread. No, it’s not a roommate (unless you count the pile of laundry in the corner as a roommate). It’s Herbert.

    Herbert, my seemingly innocent ZZ plant, has become the most judgmental houseguest I’ve ever encountered. And trust me, I’ve lived with some real characters.

    When My Houseplant Almost Staged an Intervention

    It all started with a particularly brutal week. Deadlines at work were looming, my dating life resembled a barren wasteland, and the closest I came to a home-cooked meal was microwaving a bag of popcorn (don’t judge, we’ve all been there). It was then that I noticed Herbert looking… different.

  • Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer (and Why You Should Totally Join My Green Cult)

    Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer (and Why You Should Totally Join My Green Cult)

    Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer (And Why You Should Join the Green Side)

    From Black Thumb to Proud Plant Parent: My Story

    Let’s be honest, folks. I used to be a plant assassin. My thumbs were anything but green. More like a death touch, really. I’m talking wilting orchids, drooping succulents, and peace lilies that looked anything but peaceful. My track record with houseplants was about as impressive as a goldfish’s memory.

    But then, something magical happened. Call it boredom, a global pandemic, or maybe just a desire to prove myself wrong, but I adopted a little ZZ plant named Zephyr. And against all odds (and my own history), Zephyr thrived! He even sprouted a new leaf, which, in my book, was basically the equivalent of winning an Olympic medal.

    Plant Parent

    That’s when I realized that being a plant parent came with a whole host of unexpected joys:

    1. Stress Relief Like No Other: Forget bubble baths and meditation apps (okay, maybe not completely). There’s something incredibly therapeutic about digging in the dirt, watering your plants, and watching them grow. It’s like meditation with a side of chlorophyll.
    2. Instant Interior Design Guru: Plants are like nature’s air freshener and decor all rolled into one. They can brighten up even the dullest corner and make your home feel like a tropical paradise (or at least a slightly more oxygenated version of your apartment).
    3. Bragging Rights and Green Thumb Envy: Remember those perfectly curated Instagram feeds with cascading monsteras and vibrant fiddle leaf figs? Yeah, those can be yours! Okay, maybe not overnight, but with a little patience (and a lot of Googling), you too can become the envy of all your plant-loving friends.

    Plant Parenthood: The Real (and Hilarious) Struggles

    Now, let’s get real for a second. Being a plant parent isn’t always easy. There will be times when you overwater, underwater, or completely misinterpret your plant’s desperate cries for help.

    I once spent a whole week trying to diagnose why my beloved snake plant, Slinky, was looking a little pale. Turns out, I’d placed him too close to the window, and he was sunburnt! Cue the guilt trip and a crash course in plant first aid.