In the #houseplantclub

“Our plant, Lola, had a baby!” announced a #proudplantparent yesterday, on the ’gram. Another parent introduced us to Hera and Odin, two succulents that had “graduated to bigger pots”. The comments sections were flooded with congratulatory messages. Seems odd? Not so in our post pandemic world, where houseplants — often with names, much like our pets — are our new companions. People are picking up Monsteras (one of the trending plants of 2020), talking to them every morning (many swear by it), and taking photographs with them. Our social media feeds are proof: overrun with pictures of people showing off their newly-acquired Calatheas and Chinese Money Plants. And, interestingly, it is not just the average garden enthusiast who has taken it up with an enthusiasm last seen for sourdough. The world over, the houseplant industry is blooming with workshops, profitable newsletters, live videos, and plant talk shows. Even MasterClass had a session with Ron Finley, the Gangsta Gardener of Los Angeles, which is telling.