Written By Zainab Nasir

It all started with a rescued ginseng ficus bonsai tree.

I discovered this small tree hidden in a cabinet at an old job. Lacking all signs of life, the plant was merely a stump with no foliage. The soil was bone dry, and it looked like it had been abandoned for months. After permission from management, I took it upon myself to bring it back to life. With little to no knowledge about plants, I gave this bonsai the bare minimum: water and sunlight. I hydrated it and placed it in an area with direct light during the mornings and bright indirect light throughout the day. 

Amidst the chaos of full-time work and school, I realized I had discovered a new hobby, plants.  Cherishing this plant became intensely fulfilling for me; I found myself inspecting it daily. During my free time, I researched its care needs and found other ways to revive it. My determination was rendered to be fruitful when I discovered teeny tiny signs of new growth after weeks of babying it! With some tender loving care (a little fertilizer) over the next couple of months, the bonsai sprouted miniature branches with bright green new leaves. Expectedly, I was over the moon upon realizing I had a green thumb. 

After resigning from that job in 2016, I adopted the bonsai and took him home with me. My first official plant was this rescued bonsai; it was almost like my baby! I was officially a plant parent. My morning routine became caring for this stump of a plant. Over time, I watched carefully as more new leaves sprouted and many others yellowed and dropped; I pondered upon its varying behavior and was determined to keep it healthy. Soon after, I began to notice the psychological and environmental changes brought about by the addition to my space. The fondness I had for this bonsai calmed me while also being a self-care and therapeutic process. The nurturing routine I had established in the early mornings allowed me to feel centered and lessened my anxiety for the day. Checking for pests, measuring the moisture levels, and a general checkup was an everyday must, all of which had now become an exceptionally significant part of my self-care routine. 

It was no doubt that this unexpected hobby was contributing positively to my mental health. I began my day with feelings of excitement upon finding new growth and often that of satisfaction when it was watering day. The determination I had to keep my bonsai alive made me feel ambitious and hence why I have acquired more and more plants over the next few years. Observing their impact on my well being encouraged me to further invest in more plants and create the perfect urban jungle for myself. 

Now I would say, plants are not just a hobby but a lifestyle for me; to call them a passion of mine is an understatement. Over the past few years, my mental health has gone through many ups and downs, but being a plant enthusiast has significantly contributed to my emotional growth and has truly grounded me. Sticking to my daily scheduled plant check-ups and maintenance keeps me aligned and attentive. Plants are challenging. There are a plethora of things that can go wrong and bring distress to the plant; being knowledgeable on how to love and care for all my plants was an empowering journey. Recognizing all of my succulents, cacti and tropical plants’ needs was no easy feat; staying organized and continuously teaching myself about everything was an exciting part of plant parenthood. Reading, learning, talking with friends and absorbing information from others rendered to be so fulfilling. I am beyond grateful for being able to connect with others and attain help on plant-related matters. The friendships made have also contributed strongly to my mental health; having people to rely on for knowledge is power. Belonging to the plant community makes me feel confident that there are no plant dilemmas that I cannot find the answers to.

Not only have plants permitted me to be a much more of a patient individual, but they have also given me the opportunity to bond with people from all over the world. Learning and growing is the most important part of my plant expedition. The latter keeps my anxiety under reigns because now I can relate to people I didn’t know existed. Others like me have experienced the same love and emotional support that I have with plants. 

Plant parenthood motivates me to be a better person by constantly increasing my knowledge and love for plants. There is so much to grasp and absorb that my mental health stays put and sharp. After years of plant parenthood, my mind is wired to be disciplined. Even on days that my mental health suffers, I know that my plants need me, and thus I need to keep myself in a healthy state. Neglecting my plants and hurting them is never an option for me, hence why I know that even on my worst days, my plants can cheer me up. Life is full of trials and tribulations, but as long as I have my plants, I know I can push through anything and everything.