How to Care for Your Plants (and What They’ll Teach You About Caring for Yourself)

A love letter to plant parenting, self-care, and growing through what you go through.

From Succulents to Self-Love

What started as a few low-maintenance plants became the unexpected catalyst for my own healing.

I’ve officially been converted to a full-on plant lady. What began with a couple of tiny succulents on my windowsill has now grown into a full-blown apartment jungle. I’m experimenting with herbs, dreaming of adding a tree, and yes—I’ve named a few of them.

But it’s not just about aesthetics. Plant care changed my life.

Plant Care Is Self-Care

How tending to green things helped me learn how to tend to myself.

When I first started buying plants, I wasn’t exactly thriving. I was taking small steps toward a healthier life—eating better, drinking less, watching less TV—but I still had a long way to go. I chose the most forgiving plants (the “hard to kill” kind), partly because I wasn’t sure I could handle more. I worried I’d forget to water them. I worried my low energy would transfer to them.

But something beautiful happened. The act of showing up for my plants—watering them once a week, checking their light, watching them grow—created a shift. That simple routine gave me a sense of rhythm, responsibility, and pride. As I nurtured them, I began to nurture myself.

Water, Light, and the Ritual of Showing Up

The basics of plant care are the basics of self-care, too.

All a plant really needs is water and light—and maybe a little music, if you're like me.

Watering my plants has become one of my favorite weekly rituals. I put on upbeat music, dance around the apartment, and give each plant some love. Most indoor plants need watering about once a week, but it varies. Do a little research on what your green babes need, and they’ll reward you with vibrant energy.

Light is equally important. Some plants love basking in direct sun; others prefer filtered or indirect light. Pay attention to their needs and adjust their placement accordingly. Like us, plants flourish when they’re in the right environment.

Feed Your Roots

Plants need good soil to thrive—just like we need nourishing routines and practices to feel grounded.

Just like we need whole, nourishing food to feel energized and strong, plants need rich, supportive soil to grow. Refreshing their soil every so often gives them a boost of nutrients and also helps prevent disease and pests.

I love using composted soil because it’s nutrient-dense, moisture-retaining, and eco-friendly. I even save veggie-steamed water, let it cool, and reuse it for watering—giving the plants a little vitamin-rich boost.

“Rot” is one of my five R’s of sustainable living, so making my own compost tea and soil has become both an art and a ritual. And just like compost breaks down what’s no longer useful into fertile ground, we too can transform what once hurt us into the foundation for our growth.

Room to Grow (Literally and Metaphorically)

Sometimes you need to repot yourself in order to thrive.

As plants grow, they outgrow their containers. Repotting might sound like a chore, but it’s actually a beautiful metaphor. We outgrow environments, habits, beliefs—and when we do, we need to give ourselves space to expand.

Don’t panic if your plant drops a few leaves—it’s part of growth. Old parts die off to make space for the new. Learning this was such a relief. I used to think leaf loss meant failure, but now I see it as transformation.

Shoutout to @plantkween for being such a joyful source of wisdom and inspiration! Their IGTV on the perfect soil blend was a game changer.

Love Is a Nutrient, Too

Science says talking to your plants helps them grow. I say it helps you grow, too.

Plants aren’t just passive decor—they respond to energy. Talk to them. Touch their leaves. Be present with them. The love you offer them is a reflection of how you care for yourself.

And they’ll show you resilience like no other. I’ve lost a few along the way. I’ve overwatered, underwatered, and occasionally forgotten entirely. But I’ve also revived near-dead plants back to life—and it’s taught me not to give up on myself, either.

One of my earliest plant companions—a cactus—nearly rotted to the core. I thought he was done for, but I kept caring for him gently, adding compost tea to the mix. He survived. Scarred but thriving. He’s since grown four new arms.

More recently, one of my favorite plants was knocked over by a strong gust of wind, shattering its pot and snapping part of its stem. I repotted the base and placed the broken limb in water. It’s now sprouting roots. Even when something breaks, it can find a way to begin again.

What Plants Have Taught Me About Life

Care, resilience, patience, and the quiet miracles of growth.

Becoming a plant parent changed the way I see myself. It reminded me that growth isn’t always visible, that rest is part of the cycle, and that healing takes time. Plants are mirrors. They reflect our seasons—our shedding, our blooming, our stillness.

So if you’re on a healing path or just looking to bring more beauty and presence into your life, start with a plant. Start with something small. Let yourself be amazed at what you’re capable of nurturing.