Plant Parenting – An Unexpected Hobby

Sitra Abdosh

When lockdown was announced most of us were finding ways to cope at home and spend the extra time that we thought we’d never have. Whether it was brushing up on cooking skills or finally starting that DIY reno project, many can agree that we found ourselves completing tasks that we would’ve never previously had the time for.

During the summer of 2021, I impulsively decided to bring home a tiny plant, no taller than 20cm. I had no idea how to care for it and was sure it would only live for a few weeks or months before I did something wrong. Little did I know what I was in for.

One year later, I now have 10 more plants in my care. My oldest plant is over a metre tall and thriving. With every new leaf, I felt more confident in my ability to care for plants. Starting with a relatively low care species (Monstera deliciosa – an indoor plant staple) allowed me to study the basics before moving onto high maintenance types. This resulted in a carefully curated collection of plants that I’ve eventually learnt to care for.

You’d be surprised at how much plants can make a difference to any space. The most rewarding aspect of caring for plants is looking back at the growth and seeing how far they have come. At the height of the pandemic, when it seemed like the days were repeating themselves, every new leaf reminded me of the progress that I was making.

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Sitra Abdosh, Contributor

Sitra Abdosh is a recent Bachelor of Science graduate. Her hobbies include unwinding with a good book or movie and cooking. With her spare time you’ll find her painting or drawing her latest project.