#PlantTherapy

Technology plays a massive part in our lives.

Everywhere we go, we’re immersed in our phones or computers. Wearable fitness trackers mean we’re always connected to technology. Google Home is listening to all our interactions. The list goes on.

For those of us working in an office, there’s often a commute where we flick through our phones, then it’s a day of looking at our desktops, and an evening of unwinding in front of Netflix or social media.

It’s no wonder people become fatigued and decide to do a social media #detox or aim to cut down on their screen time.

Technology has enriched our lives, without question — we can find out virtually anything we want within seconds, order food to our door, and speak to our gadgets from across the room. It’s sped up so many processes and simplified what was once complicated. It’s brought us together and allowed us to communicate with those on the other side of the world, even if we don’t speak the same language.

But.

Sometimes, it can get a bit much.

We need some time off from the beeps, lights, clicks and scrolling.

And it’s not always possible for us to go for a hike in a mountainous wilderness, or swimming through a freshwater lake.

And I think that’s part of the reason why house plants have become all the rage in the past few years. As we look for a way to escape from the blue light of our screens, plants provide the perfect answer. They’re small (well, some of them are), easy to care for (again, some of them are), and they grow when we nurture them (yes, I know… again, some of them do).

Plants are unpredictable and imperfect. They often have flaws, or parts missing, or quirks. Or, they’re just bizarre-looking specimens that we’ve never seen before. I find plants I’ve never seen before all the time as I’m browsing Instagram, which is saying something, because I’m on there looking at plants A LOT (I mean, I could tell you exactly how much time I spend doing this because it says so in Screen Time, but I won’t).

In my eyes, it’s these unexpected and unpredictable characteristics that make plants fascinating and enjoyable to care for.

For example — sometimes, when I inspect my Monstera Deliciosa, I find a new leaf, tightly rolled up and soon to unfurl into a glossy green slice of foliage. I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment and childlike glee. “Hey!” I think, “I’ve kept this thing alive and look what it’s doing now!” It’s always a surprise for me that my plants are still growing, and for me, a new leaf is a bit like a gift.

However, as any plant owner will know, sometimes things go wrong.

Have you ever killed a plant because you didn’t water it enough? Or have you ever killed a plant because you overwatered it? I know I’ve done both.

And what about seeing a plant die and having no idea why? Same.

That’s because plants are products of their environment, too. Your home may be too humid, or not humid enough. Or the windowsill your Pothos is perched on could get too much sun. Perhaps the corner where your Spider Plant hangs is too drafty.

The point I’m making is that there are so many factors that go into it, and while we can control many of them, sometimes things just go wrong, because plants are living things and they respond to their surroundings.

When we’re using a computer or a phone, we know what we’re getting. Input in equals feedback out. But when you’re caring for bits of foliage, that’s not the case. You can do your best to care for your plants, and they may thrive or they may not. Somehow, the knowledge that you don’t have complete control over the destiny of your green buddies is therapeutic (or maybe it frustrates you, I don’t know) — you do what you can, and the rest is up to them.

Unlike our digital world, there is no instant gratification with plants. They take time to grow and become established, and they require patience. Some plants, like the Monstera Deliciosa, need to be a certain size and reach a certain stage before they show their mature leaf forms. The mature leaves are what gives this plant it’s iconic status. They’re punctured by fenestrations, or windows, which are thought to help the plant’s lower leaves receive sunlight in its naturally shady habitat.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of watching a plant flourish under your care. If you’ve recorded its progress with photos, it’s satisfying to compare and see how far it’s come — and know that you were responsible for that. Although truth be told, sometimes they may thrive when you take a neglectful approach, too…

You can’t fake or cheat your way to a healthy plant. You may buy a big, beautiful specimen and place it lovingly in a corner of your home, but unless it gets what it needs, it will deteriorate. Likewise, if you bring home a tiny baby, it won’t grow into the glorious plant you dream of without patience, care and ideal conditions.

I believe that it’s this nurturing relationship we have with our plants that is the perfect antidote to the demands of a technological world. They teach us to be patient and that things aren’t always black and white. Nature sometimes takes its own course, despite our best efforts.

And that’s okay. Because sometimes we need to take a break in the comfort of our own homes, and plants give us the ability to be transported to a tropical forest in Panama, or a mountain range in China, without leaving our apartments.

And that is a beautiful thing. We are lucky to have them in our lives.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a dying Peace Lily on my balcony that I need to tend to.