Happy plants are also important to flower delivery Hong Kong, horticulturalist and founder of Sydney-based plant consultancy Our Green Sanctuary, Rachel Okell. "When I look at my plants, I talk to them a lot," she said. "I get excited when there's new growth - it means they're happy and I'm doing all the right things."
How plants speak
So, if your dracaena droops dramatically like a sullen teenager, does gentle encouragement make any difference?
Dr Hes said: "I think relationships are key here, whether it's the way you speak or you notice that they need water, new soil or nutrients. Tones are also important because they respond to vibrations."
When it comes to our relationship with plants, Tim Pickles, horticulturalist and owner of Tim Garden Centre in Campbelltown, southwest Sydney, certainly witnessed a transformation last year. "People fell in love with gardens," he said. "They're looking for something to nurture and love."
plant needs
Pickles believes that the slowing pace of 2020 has given us more time to think and breathe, allowing us to be more aware and observant of what’s around us.
The kimchi theory explains my passion for orchids. Is she thriving because I'm talking to her, or just because I'm more focused on her needs? Overwatering is one of the leading causes of houseplant death, and perhaps more at home brings me to my attention than rushing to reach for a watering can in an attempt to be a responsible plant parent.
Whether we believe plants benefit from conversations or not, we can't deny that it works for us. The healing effects of plants and gardening have been widely documented - benefits include boosting our mood, improving our focus and lowering our stress levels.
Plants are like children
But what if the thought of chatting with plant kids feels like a quirky act?
"If you look at science, vibrations, biophilic connections and building relationships, then for me it's worth spending time with plants," Hess said. "For some, it's playing music, for some it's just being with us quietly while we work and relax."
Oakle agrees. She is benefiting from the practice of caring for plants. "The routine of checking, dusting, rotating and watering my plants is meditative," she says. "It helps me stay calm and focus on the moment. There's also a sense of accomplishment when your plants thrive under your care. It's so rewarding."
As we approach 2021, my orchids are still thriving. And since my fingers haven't turned green yet, I can only attribute it to our daily interactions: adoring glances, greetings and check-ins, and attention (intentional and accidental). She would listen to my phone conversations and was often the only listener I sang "I Will Survive" before dinner. She didn't join, my orchid, but I think she felt the love. I know I am.
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