My First House Plant
The purchase of my first houseplant was driven by practicality. I had acquired a large, aesthetically pleasing planter and wanted a plant that could withstand dry heat. My condo at that time was designed with air vents surrounding all the windows. My house plant placements were restricted unless I wished to invest in grow lights. I took my new planter to the nursery, and together with the helpful staff, we explored various options. Eventually, it came down to two choices: the ZZ plant and the Snake Plant. The ZZ was beautiful but pricey, and the staff warned of its bulbous roots crowding the pot too quickly. So, I settled on the Snake Plant.
The snake plant I brought home was impressive, to say the least. Standing three feet tall and thriving in a 25-inch pot, I was unaware that this giant was a cluster of over 30 individual plants living harmoniously together. Looking back, I couldn't help but wonder if I had taken the easy way out by choosing a mature plant as a novice plant parent. The nursery staff probably thought I was a fool to spend money on many large mature plants instead of caring for a young plant from the beginning.
My First House Plants
Sitting next to a north-facing window. PS. The grow lights were added on, not for the snake plants, but much later when I started to have other house plants (not shown in this picture)
Care and Misadventures:
True to its reputation, my snake plant seemed unbreakable. Caring for it was a breeze, but with such a large pot, gauging the moisture level became an impossible task. The "two-knuckles test" barely scratched the surface, and my moisture meter couldn't reach the pot's depth. The pot was so large and heavy that I couldn't lift it to check for drainage. I can only say that I water this pot by instinct- My watering can has just below 1 L of capacity, and I’d water this pot once a month with the whole can of water. They seem to like it, and that’s all I can say about that. : P
But did the snake plant stay healthy because of my care, or was it so established that it was impossible to kill off any of its many residents? I guess that is the something I have yet to find out.
The Moving Dilemma:
Life's twists and turns brought a moving day that made me confront a difficult decision: I realized that relocating this colossal pot was out of the question. So, after pondering various options, I listed it on Facebook Marketplace, letting go of not only the pot but also the cherished plants. However, the story never truly ends. Before embarking on this new chapter, I had already taken the time to propagate several cuttings, gifting them to family and friends. And now, in the act of passing on these generations of propagated plants, I will be able to take new cutting from them to grow another one for myself. The power of propagation has allowed me to accept the bittersweet task of parting with most of my house plants. during the moving process.
My First Snake Plant Cutting Propagation
It’s a very slow process, but always delightful to see new leaf emerging, knowing that you’ve done something right to encourage new shoot to come up
They Can Bloom?
Thanks to a friend's Instagram post, I learned these plants can bloom. She shrugged when I asked how she got them to bloom. She didn't know either. After much probing, I found out that she placed her snake plants in front of a south-facing window, something I never considered for these plants since most resources label them as low-light plants. It just goes to show even in the cold white north, it is possible to mimic the growing requirement in their natural habitat. That being said, I don’t think I’d purposely induce blooming in my snake plants. Over the last 2 years of house plants journey, I’ve decided that a “que sera sera” approach works best for my lifestyle and it comes to my house plants.
Indoor Snake Plants in Bloom
Lessons in Aesthetics:
Throughout my house plant journey, I have realized that beyond the allure of uncommon plants, my true passion lies in the beauty of simplicity and the elegance of natural growth. Witnessing plants with clean and upright lines, thriving without the need for support or manipulation, has captivated my heart. Each plant holds its own story, but it is the unassuming and undemanding ones that have left the most indelible marks on my soul. Among them, snake plants hold a special place in my home, serving as a testament to their unwavering charm and unyielding resilience. As I continue on this botanical voyage, I am grateful to have discovered the enchantment that lies in embracing the inherent uniqueness of every plant, allowing their captivating stories to unfold and grace my life with unending beauty.
