From a ‘fussy’ succulent to unexpected joy, discover how plant parenting might be the best thing you do
By Siti Salihah
If I were to be asked to pick one plant to be a life companion, I’d probably end up as the main character in a doomed love story—that poor plant would meet its untimely demise within days. That’s how un-green my thumbs are, unfortunately.
Meanwhile, my family out there routinely travels almost 322 kilometres just to visit a nursery. And then there’s my life-long best friend, Shahidatul Atikah, who, to her own surprise, discovered a love for plants through her first job as a plant caretaker.
At first, she naively thought, “They’re only plants,” so she wasn’t expecting to get attached at all. But a few months into the job, caring for plants and watching them grow had turned into a passion that deeply affected her—in the best way possible.
So what’s the secret here? Why do plants tug at our hearts and spark so much joy? Here’s why:
- Plants make the room feel alive
Humans are naturally drawn to living things; it’s a primal connection that makes us feel calmer and more grounded. Ever notice how people in cities, surrounded by concrete and noise, are the ones falling in love with plant parenting? This romantic idea of nurturing something green and alive is all over social media. Maybe it’s because, in the chaos of urban life, having a plant on your desk or by your bedside becomes more than just decoration—it’s like having a quiet companion, alive and waiting for you. Science backs this up too: plants have a way of healing us, sharpening our focus, and even helping our minds feel a little more alive.
- Plants lift your mood
A study revealed that hospitalised patients surrounded by greenery experienced lower stress levels, as if the plants had offered a quiet sense of relief to their minds and bodies. It goes beyond individual moments, too—people living in neighbourhoods with abundant green spaces tend to experience less mental distress. Take it from Shahidatul, who describes plant parenting as a hobby that’s both rewarding and grounding. “It’s like taking care of a cat,” she said, “but the joy comes from watching them grow and thrive, which does something for your mental well-being.”
- Plants are nature’s air purifier
Forget buying those overpriced, overmarketed air purifiers. Nature, it seems, has already provided us with the perfect solutions—plants. The Snake Plant, for example, is not just a pretty face in the corner; it quietly works to reduce pollutants like formaldehyde, toluene, and CO2, making the air around us cleaner and fresher. And then there’s Aloe Vera, a night-time guardian, silently emitting oxygen while we sleep and ensuring we wake up to better air. There’s something beautifully simple about this: no plastic components, no need for regular servicing. Just plants—self-sustaining, humble, and effective.
- Plants boost productivity
- You wouldn’t think productivity and greenery have much in common, but the connection is surprisingly real. Offices in Great Britain and the Netherlands—known for their iconic tulip fields—saw a noticeable lift in productivity when plants were added to workspaces. In fact, nearly every corporate survey reported employees wanted more plants around, saying it makes their sterile offices feel a little more like home, a little more alive and motivating. Maybe it’s not just about productivity; maybe it’s about finding little pockets of calm in places we least expect them. Isn’t that what we’re all looking for anyway?
- Plants help your creative juices flow
This is the non-fictional reason why the ‘main character is confused, disturbed, lost—and doesn’t know who they are anymore—so they embark on an adventure to find themselves again’ trope is one of the most iconic in films and books. So it’s no surprise that having plants around can help boost creativity. It’s the act of having a plant nearby—growing, providing, yielding—that inspires creative thinking. Companies have caught on, with ‘walking meetings’ in green spaces becoming a popular way to spark fresh ideas.
- Plants boost self-esteem
There’s something about taking care of plants that feels good for the soul. Shahidatul understands this on a deeper level. She shared how her String of Hearts plant—one of the “fussiest”, according to her, to care for—thrived under her attention. “I felt good seeing it grow,” she said. And it’s not about pride; studies show that green exercise—whether it’s spending time in nature or caring for plants—lifts our mood and boosts self-esteem, even with just short bursts of time. The act of tending to something living has a way of grounding us, reminding us that we can take care of ourselves just like we take care of our plants.
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References
Journal of Psychology and Behavior Studies, Journal of Environmental Horticulture, International Journal of Built Environment and Sustainability, Journal of Xidian University
