And we grow along with our plants…
I am a late bloomer as a gardener. It is one of the few positive effects of the pandemic for me. Realising how uncertain the future is brings the urge to make the most of the present. And, that’s why a keen interest in plants sprung up from nowhere. Now, seeing flowers in my little garden gives me great joy. First it was jasmine, and then the pink ‘9 o’clock flower’ or portulaca that bloomed. Then the hibiscus, bougainvillea, cape jasmine, crossandra, yellow bells, chrysanthemums, periwinkles, the delicate anthurium and the difficult poinsettia. The reluctant peace lily is yet to flower.
I soon began to appreciate the non-flowering plants as well — the aglaonema or ‘lipstick plant’, spider plant, nerve plant or fittonia, crotons, coleus, kalonchoe, rhoeo, areca palm, fern, ZZ plant, the morpanki or Oriental thuja, syngonium, jade, aloe vera and lemon grass. Space is limited in an eight-floor flat but the windows bring in sunlight and ventilation suitable for some plants. The balconies are good for outdoor plants, except that you have to protect them from the fierce Ahmedabad summer heat with shades.
After reading an interesting and amusing book, How Not to Kill Your House Plants — A Beginner’s Guide to Plant Parenting by Trisha Bora, author and editor, I realized the important of the right light, prudent watering and soil conditions for the health growth of individual plants.
Best stress-buster
How does being around plants help us? Dr Seth J. Gillihan, clinical assistant professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, writes in Psychology Today that research has shown that being in a green environment and looking at greenery is linked to better recovery from surgery, less anxiety and depression, and better stress management, among other positive effects.
Dr Gillihan describes two other benefits. First, plants teach us acceptance, he writes. We learn to accept that we do not have complete control over everything, in this case over nature. Second, we develop a ‘growth mindset’ — propounded by psychologist Dr Carol Dweck. Simply put, it is a mindset that causes us to learn from our mistakes and grow, much like the plants under our care.
Gardening has immense physical benefits — it can be a good form of exercise, especially if you have a large plot to cultivate. But the biggest benefits are that it is a stress reliever and happiness creator. Gardening is known to make our body release endorphins — that improve our mood and make us feel happy. Studies have shown that being in green surroundings (the colour green is known to be calming) also reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Planst also provide us with a ‘sense of reward’ — it brings us joy to see new leaves sprout and a flowers bloom.
How can we forget the sense of purpose and self-worth nurturing plants give us? We have found something to care for. People experiencing the empty nest syndrome can easily feel like a parent to their growing plants. This can fill the void that grown-up children have left in your life. We are learning a new skill, which boosts our self-confidence. In addition, plants and nature provide us a break from the electronic age. But most importantly, gardening is an investment in the future. An investment that brings hope.
