Just Relaxed Blog

Tag: plant advice

  • Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer (and Why You Should Join the Club)

    Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer (and Why You Should Join the Club)





    From Black Thumb to Proud Plant Parent

    Let’s be honest, I wasn’t always a friend to foliage. In fact, I was notorious for my ability to turn even the most resilient succulents into mushy, brown casualties. My past attempts at plant parenthood resembled a graveyard of good intentions, filled with drooping leaves and wilting dreams. But something changed recently. Maybe it was the pandemic, maybe it was a quarter-life crisis, or maybe (just maybe) it was the allure of those adorable miniature cacti on Instagram. Whatever the reason, I decided to give plant parenthood another try. And let me tell you, I’m never going back.

    Therapy Grows on Trees (Well, Not Literally): The Mental Benefits of Plant Parenthood

    Turns out, taking care of something other than myself (and my ever-growing to-do list) was surprisingly therapeutic. The simple act of watering, misting, and rotating my leafy companions became a mindful ritual, a welcome respite from the digital chaos of everyday life.

    There’s something incredibly grounding about getting your hands dirty, feeling the cool soil, and witnessing firsthand the quiet miracle of growth. Plus, unlike my tendency to overthink every aspect of my own life, plants are refreshingly straightforward. They thrive on consistency and honesty, rewarding my efforts with vibrant colors and new leaves.

    A bright and airy living room filled with a variety of thriving indoor plants.
  • Is My Houseplant Judging My Life Choices? (The Evidence is Compelling)

    Is My Houseplant 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, two days into a questionable Netflix binge, when you catch a glimpse of your once-thriving houseplant. Its leaves are drooping, it’s practically begging for water, and you can’t shake the feeling that it’s…judging you.

    My Fiddle Leaf Fig’s Dramatic Intervention

    My journey into the oddly specific paranoia of houseplant judgment began with Ferdinand, my majestic (or so I thought) fiddle leaf fig. He was the crown jewel of my living room, a symbol of my foray into responsible adulthood. Then came the fateful day I forgot to water him. For two weeks.

    I returned from a weekend getaway to find Ferdinand looking less like a majestic jungle king and more like a wilted salad. As I scrambled for the watering can, I swear he sighed dramatically. Okay, maybe not, but the judgmental aura was palpable. That’s when it hit me: Ferdinand was judging my life choices, and honestly, who could blame him?

    water dish for a day? Expect a dramatic fainting episode, complete with theatrically drooping leaves. Dare to move her an inch to the left, away from her preferred sunbeam? She’ll sulk for a week, her growth stunted as if to say, “I see your blatant disregard for my carefully calibrated lighting needs.”

    And don’t even get me started on the time I accidentally overfertilized. Let’s just say Petunia’s silent treatment lasted a solid month. Clearly, I am not living up to her standards of plant parenthood.

    Even Succulents Give the Side-Eye

    You’d think succulents, with their reputation for resilience, would be above such judgment. You’d be wrong. My collection of succulents, affectionately dubbed “The Jury,” have perfected the art of the side-eye.

    One particularly judgmental echeveria, whom I’ve named Gladys, seems to disapprove of my entire existence. Did I leave the blinds open too long, subjecting her to a few extra minutes of sunlight? Gladys will let me know with a withering stare. Did I dare to water her on a Tuesday instead of a Wednesday, like the rule-abiding plant parent I pretend to be? Her disapproval radiates through the room.