I know that I have taken you through some of my plant collection previously, but I figured that I should show you my growing collection, and talk a bit more about why I keep plants.
You can watch my vlog below and take a peek at my plants, then scroll down for some further musings.
How I Got Started, and Where I’m At Now
When I get into something, I go deep and try to learn as much as I can and try to solve problems by myself. When I started running, I read up about technique, training methodologies, and all that.
With plants I read up about things like how often to water, what kind of soil to use, how much fertilizer to add, what kind of sunlight is best. I use a moisture probe to make sure I’m only watering my plants when they need it rather than risking overwatering them. Making my own potting mix is cheaper than buying pre-made bags, so I do that. I’ve even gotten to the point where I have a temperature and humidity sensor so that I know if conditions are optimal for my plants. I truly have geeked out about plants.
I converted my balcony into a garden space sometime from May to July of last year. While we already had two plants, they were medicinal/herbal plants and I didn’t take care of them beyond putting them in larger pots and watering them. My houseplant journey really started when somebody sent me some cuttings of pothos, which is a vining plant.
For the most part I think that I’ve succeeded, although to be honest I’ve killed my fair share of plants. What I have are actually low-maintenance plants, because I try to make sure that whatever hobbies I do they add to my life rather than take over my life. (Some plants like being left alone better than being handled all the time.)
Why I Keep Houseplants
There are so many benefits to keeping plants. For instance just looking at the color green has been proven in studies to reduce stress in people. Especially given the situation in the world around us I think we all need to reduce levels of stress.
At the same time, just like when I got my dog and started taking care of him, there’s just part of me that likes taking care of living creatures and hoping that they will also thrive under that care.
I don’t sell plants, so I don’t really get any monetary benefit out of keeping them — but there are things that are important in the world that don’t necessarily lead to making money.
Plants have also made me philosophical and give me unexpected life lessons. For instance, when I pruned a vine, suddenly it shot out new leaves everywhere. I think it’s the same with people: you have to let go of some things to experience growth in other places in your life.
I think the biggest thing that I can take out of being someone who takes care of plants is that it brings me into the present moment: just giving the plants what they need at this point and letting the future take care of itself.
