Phototropism
There’s not a single person on Earth who would call me a green thumb. I’ve never been able to keep a plant alive for more than a week, and that includes succulents.
Maybe it was fate that brought me to try gardening in 2020 of all years. As I was struggling to see through my foggy glasses and making sure my mask was secure in Trader Joe's, I saw a beautiful plant out of the corner of my eye that would be the perfect addition to my coffee table. I left the store optimistic that this plant would be different— I had more time to spend at home, so that obviously meant it would receive optimal care. I was ready for the task at hand.
I’m not alone. Since the beginning of the year, plant influencers across the world have seen a sudden increase in engagement and followers. Gardening app "GrowIt!" has reported a ten-fold increase in online engagement since the pandemic. Need help learning the plant mom basics? Just hire a plant stylist on retainer for a couple thousand dollars. Some folks are willingly paying $5,000 for a houseplant. There are over 4 million posts on Instagram hash-tagged #PlantsOfInstagram.
There’s no exact way to predict exactly why plant care is taking off for so many of us. For me, noticing changes in plants helps, at least, keep track of time. I’m not always sure what day of the week it is (or month, honestly) but I do know there are three inches of roots coming out of a plant clipping that weren’t there before. Maybe it’s because providing love and care and attention to our plants inspires us to do the same for ourselves in a time where any sense of normality has slipped from our hands. (Hello, new skincare routine.)
My plant collection has grown to over 20 plants—including plants that have thrived in ways I couldn’t imagine and those that haven’t been as lucky. I’ve spent countless hours finding a new community online in other gardeners. If you asked me, I could probably tell you your gardening zone. And I have a plant playlist.
Becoming a “plant mom” has taught me a lot of things, but most importantly it has given me the comfort that plants (much like us right now) are stuck in one place just trying to deal with the environment that life gives them. Sound familiar?
Unlike plants, most of us aren’t used to feeling stuck in one place. Through the beauty of evolution, plants have developed a number of strategies to capture the maximum amount of sunlight through their leaves— regardless of their current position. The scientific name is Phototropism.
With no visible end in sight, it’s hard to step back and envision all of the ways we’ve mirrored our beloved plants and adapted this year. So, let’s pause.
Take a moment to recognize how remarkable your human self is and find delight in the things you’ve changed so that you can find light where it might not have existed before.