the plant story

I bought a plant at the beginning of the year. I was in a new apartment. At a new store. In my (fairly) new city. So I thought I should commemorate all these new beginnings- by buying a plant. 

I did what any other person who wants to buy a plant does. I googled “nearest plant nurseries” and chose the one with the best ratings. I drove 10 minutes down the street to Mickey Hargitay Plants in West Hollywood and began my mission. I mindlessly traced down aisles pretending like I knew exactly what I was looking for, when I spotted something beautiful: a floor plant that was less than 30 bucks. When I dragged this wonder up to the register, the cashier remarked how great my choice was. 

“This one is pretty low maintenance.”

Amazing. The one tip he gave me was to let the new plant adjust to its new environment before repotting it. Perfect! I could wait until my next paycheck to buy soil and a pot. 

I did what I was told. I kept the plant in its original pot and only watered if the soil was looking a little dry. After a while the plant started to look a bit droopy, with two of the leaves turning completely. I fear the plant got a little too acclimated to its new space. So it felt like the appropriate time for a potential repotting. 

So I did what any person who wants to repot a plant would do. I drove to my local Target to buy a pot and soil. I returned home to my garden (balcony) and transferred the plant to its new home. It now had the space to properly grow. 

Over the course of the next few months the plant thrived. I had a set routine to ensure it would stay in its best condition. I cleaned the leaves when they looked dusty. Watered the soil when it got dry. Enlisted my roommate for help when I went out of town. I did everything right. The plant was perfect. 

Until a few days ago. 

My mom was in town for a few days and, as the lovely daughter I am, I hosted her. I proudly showed her how my diligence turned the tiny plant into a fortified staple in my room. While I was at work, my mom texted me that she saw some ants in my room. Weird. I hadn’t noticed. 

A few days later I noticed these weren’t ants but gnats. Now those closest to me know I have trauma surrounding gnats. A different story for a different day. These gnats were coming from the plant. I was perplexed. I’ve had this plant for months and never saw a single gnat. Why now were they appearing? 

So I did what any other concerned plant guardian would do. I googled “why are there gnats suddenly around my plant?” I won’t bore you with the details. To make a long story short these gnats were harmless. But they were annoying me. Everywhere I turned there they were bothering me. I did everything to get rid of them. I bought the sticky pad. Set out a vinegar + sugar concoction. Put cinnamon in the soil to dry it out. They wouldn’t go away. I had to get rid of the source. So I relocated the plant to the garden (my balcony). There the gnats could leave me the fuck alone. 

But the plant was acclimated to my space. 

After a long day at work, I returned home to the plant beginning to wither from the Los Angeles heat. I broke down in tears. For months I did everything right. And because of a split second decision, all of that hard work went to shit. I tried to move it back in but the plant was still riddled with gnats. What now? I called my mom to break the news. She told me I can always get a new plant, one that wouldn’t become infested with gnats. But I didn’t want a new plant. I worked hard to keep this one alive.

I wiped its leaves. Watered the dry soil. And went to bed. 

To my surprise, the next morning the plant looked as if it was back to its normal self. I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe it can readjust to this new space. However, in a few short hours it began to wither again. I felt like I was out of options. I could just continue to water it over and over again just to keep it alive. But this plant isn’t meant to be in direct sunlight. 

It can’t thrive in this environment. 

Maybe this was a metaphor. Or maybe I just wanted to tell a mundane story about my beloved plant.

With luv,

KK