rediscovering houseplants: old roots, new shoots

When I was a child, my grandmother’s windowsill was crowded with African violets and spider plants, their leaves catching the morning sun. She believed in talking to her plants, a tradition I sometimes catch myself repeating, though my kids roll their eyes at the idea. Today, houseplants are back in style, but the approach has changed. Instead of the hearty pothos and ferns of my youth, my neighbors now show off rare monsteras and succulents on social media, chasing trends instead of memories. But I wonder: have we lost something in this shift? My grandmother’s plants were passed down, cuttings swapped at church or over backyard fences. Now, I see people ordering exotic plants online, shipped across the country, sometimes struggling to survive in our unpredictable North American climate. Are we nurturing nature, or just chasing the next big thing? This spring, as I repot my old jade plant, I think about how our homes reflect our values. Is it better to stick with tried-and-true plants that thrive in our region, or should we experiment with new varieties, even if they’re finicky? Some in my community argue that native plants are best for the environment, while others crave the beauty of something different, even if it means extra care. Maybe there’s no right answer. But as the sun warms my living room and I smell the soil on my hands, I feel connected—to my family, to the past, and to the land we share. What do you think: are houseplants about tradition, or is it time for something new? #houseplants #familytradition #plantdebate #Gardening