Having a philosophy when it comes to plant parenthood may seem silly, but in my opinion, it's necessary!

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I assume that most of us who take on this hobby do it because, first and foremost, seeing plants in your space makes you happy. Specifically, seeing "healthy" plants makes you happy. And while this is completely acceptable, it's not realistic if this is your expectation 100% of the time.

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Yes, plants are beautiful and amazing and magical and all the good things under the sun, but at the end of the day, they are living things. To assume that they will stay perfectly green, without flaws and as perfect as the day you brought it home, is setting yourself up for disappointment. This unrealistic expectation of what a plant "should" always look like, and hyper-focusing on what you're doing "wrong", takes away from the essence and joy of being a real plant parent. It takes away from the opportunity to become a better plant parent as you navigate through the nitty gritty.

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Being a plant parent means that you watch them grow, you understand their individual needs, and when they’re not doing well, you nurse them back to life. But being a plant parent also means you accept that sometimes you can’t, and you know when it’s time to throw in the towel.

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All of this is part of the ride.

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Try to shift your perspective and remember that an aging plant is not your failure to keep it alive. An aging plant is a reminder that you have kept it alive. Go into this adventure with the mentality that it is a unique opportunity to experience, nurture and embrace life in all stages of its natural cycle. Love it when it is at its greenest up until the moment when it's ready to go. With this mindset, you can actually enjoy all the amazing stuff in between. It's the best part! Don't miss it.