Ever since the worldwide lockdown happened, we’ve all been searching for something productive to do while we’re stuck at home. Many of us have taken on new projects or learned something new, which I think is a great response to a very challenging time. This search for something new has inspired us to pick up hobbies and skill sets like baking or cooking, and some of us have been inspired to do outdoor/indoor gardening.
You may notice your social media feeds have been flooded with posts about plants and your friends showing off plants as their “babies”, hence the birth of the terms: “Plant Mom” or “Plant Parent”. If you’re planning on adopting a “baby plant” soon, here are some plant parenting tips that you might find helpful:
Choose The Right Plant
It’s important that you select the right plant that suits you and your home. Like humans, every plant is unique, and they have different needs & reactions to certain things. There are plants that are very low maintenance and don’t require as much TLC. On the other hand, there are also plants that are sensitive and need a little bit more attention than others. Find out details about the plant you want and see if it matches up with your daily routines and lifestyle. It’s good to do some quick research to get to know your new plants better before you bring them home.
Don’t Get Overexcited
Okay, so there’s a tendency to get overly excited about your new babies and you may water them frequently or check their leaves/stems/flowers all the time. You think you’re spoiling your plant by watering them as much as possible. Guys, please DO NOT do this. Give your plants some space to breathe, get settled into a new environment and water them less than you think you should. Make sure that you follow the watering instructions on your plant. If it loses some leaves, it doesn’t mean it’s dying already. I know it can be overwhelming at first but try to relax and just enjoy your new plant. It’s still adapting to a new home, so expect that there will be few changes in the first few days or weeks.
It’s All About The Location
Plants get their energy from sunlight in order to grow. But not all plants require the same amount of sunlight, so you need to know the right place to put them so they can fully develop. Some plants like it hot and sunny, while others like it cooler or moister. If you see that that your plants are not happy where you place them first, move them around. In time, you will be able to get the right spot.
Talk to Your Plants
You’re a Plant Parent now so build a relationship with your plants! There are research studies that show talking to your plants can help them grow faster. You can even go as far as giving them plant baby names. There’s also a study that shows plants respond more to the sound of a female voice than to the sound of a male voice. So, if you’re a plant mom, that’s bonus points for you!
Ask For Guidance And Tips From Other Plant Parents
Since you’re new to this, it’s okay to seek advice and get parenting tips from your friends that are plant parents too. It’s nice to have people in your life that you can share your gardening experiences with. You can exchange tips and DIY hacks that can serve your plant’s needs. You can also learn a lot from reading gardening blogs and watching plant-related videos online.
Gardening Teaches Patience
It’s not easy to be patient but there’s really nothing else we can do as plant parents but to learn how to wait for our plants to grow in their own sweet time. We are here to nurture them and fulfill their needs. Just be the best plant parent you can be, and I promise, one day it will all be worth it.
-Mel