Unpopular opinion: New plant fads make me miss simple backyard gardens.

I just don't see the point in chasing every rare plant when common ones brought so much joy.

4 comments

4 Comments

Have you ever thought about how these plant trends might be changing what we even think gardening is for? My aunt used to have this whole yard full of simple marigolds and mint, and the best part was just sitting out there with her, not what the plants looked like. Now with social media, it feels like gardening is another thing to prove you have cool stuff, like with those pricey pink princess plants that everyone wants. I worry we're losing the calm, slow part of just watching things grow over time, because that's what made my aunt's garden so special. It wasn't about having rare things, it was about the time spent and the memories made.

juliarodriguez3mo ago

Ugh that marigold and mint thing hit me. My old neighbor grew these crazy big tomato plants every summer, just normal ones from the hardware store. The whole block would smell like tomato leaves and she'd give bags to everyone. Now my feed is all people bragging about their variegated monsteras in perfect white rooms, and it just feels like a show. I miss when plants were more about dirt under your nails than your likes.

the_terry3mo ago

Honestly just planting normal sunflowers again fixed that for me lol.

diana_kim662mo ago

Remember how everyone was going nuts for those fiddle leaf figs a few years back? My friend spent a ton on a huge one to be the star of her living room. She was so stressed about its light and water, checking it every day. It dropped leaves constantly. She finally gave it away and bought a plain old pothos from the grocery store. That thing is now a giant, happy vine she never worries about. Isn't it funny how the plant that's supposed to make you happy can become a chore, but the simple one actually brings the joy?