Should You Put Your Houseplants Outside For a Day?
We are just like plants, we need food, water, and sunshine to flourish
I fell in love with plants when I got sober. I fell in love with nature all over again. Having only fake plants in the house because I couldn’t keep real plants alive, I was ready to bring life into my house when I felt alive again.
I still have a few of these plants almost two years later, but some have passed along the way. One was from my mistake or it ran its course in the small pot that it was in. The other few, my mother-in-law overwatered, killing them when we were traveling in England this past summer.
I was devastated when I got home to see them suffering, almost gone with no life left but saggy, wilted leaves. Even though I gave instructions, they were not followed and I was perplexed because she is a plant lady.
I wouldn’t let that stop my love for having houseplants. I don’t water on a schedule now and nursed the few living ones back to life. Just by feeling the soil, I can tell when they need to drink.
I’ve been learning to nurture these plants, giving them love like I would a child.
That is the mistake I’ve made in the past. Watering once or twice a week on a schedule doesn’t work for all plants, I learned.
Even though I feel as if I know my plants after I’ve had them for over a year, some of them start to fade. The colors aren’t the same, and they look lifeless.
Recently, I’ve read that putting them outside for a day or so can bring some life back. Also, adding in some plant food or fertilizer is something that I wanted to try.
My plants need some fresh air and unfiltered sunshine.
During a partly cloudy day with a low UV index, I set all 10 of my plants outside for most of the day. For some reason, this made me a little nervous because I didn’t want to lose them from being careless.
A part of me feels ridiculous even writing this but the other part of me feels the evolution of self. There is a certain peace that enters my soul while looking after these little beings of life.
I felt as if they would thank me for a change during this beautiful fall day. Although fall here in Southern California is hardly considered fall anywhere else. It was a perfect day for my plants to thrive outside.
Although I would have loved to leave them out for the night, I decided to bring them in because I would never let my dogs sleep outside.
They felt different that night. The color didn’t really change but the luster did.
I probably won’t put them out until another beautiful day, which might not be for a while because it’s getting cooler with rain today and in the forecast.
Plants are the bomb. I am officially a plant lady because they simply make me happy. Being able to finally keep plants alive gives me a strange feeling of growth.
The plants and I are growing together. They give me oxygen and they breathe life into me.
My plants are the inspiration for this piece and when I am stuck with coming up with words to describe something, I often gaze off to look at my plants on the windowsill, as I am right now listening to the rain.
My plants make for a cozy home and who doesn’t love little pops of green against black-and-white decor?
There is a weird, strong emotional connection that you form with your plants as you care for them, water them, and nurture the soil that they live in.
It requires patience to care for plants and a grounding effect is felt when you know they are alive because of you. They bring joy because of their need for love and attention.
I could go on and on about my love for these green little masterpieces but I will end with this.
Life is short. Buy more plants. Watch them thrive and you will, too.
Have you brought your plants out for some fresh air and sunshine? Are you obsessed with plants, too?
A few other beautiful plant stories.
From Debika Kumari