Plant Friends & a Growing Community

When I started my plant journey, I had no idea that a few houseplants would introduce me to so many lovely people. I thought I was collecting plants, but somewhere along the way, I started collecting connections too 💚

From Facebook Plant Spam to International Friendships 😂

I actually started my own Instagram account because I was getting a little embarrassed about flooding my personal Facebook with plant photos 😂 But why stop there? I also wanted to connect with plant lovers beyond Finland, so I decided to make my account English-speaking from the very beginning.

And honestly? I’ve never regretted that decision for a single moment!

Instagram has introduced me to plant enthusiasts from different countries, opened up conversations I would never otherwise have had and brought some wonderful people into my life.

From Plant Buddies to Real Friends 🪴

I have a lovely little circle of fellow plant ladies living nearby, and we sometimes place group orders from shops further away to split the shipping costs. We also keep each other updated on good deals, because by now, we know each other’s plant preferences pretty well 🤭💚 It’s always nice to know when a fellow plant lover might find something they’ve been looking for!

Meeting plant friends in person often means exchanging cuttings, too. It’s such a lovely part of the community, sharing little pieces of our collections with one another.

And here’s another perk: there’s almost always someone willing to give a new home to a plant that’s being evicted to make room for another one 😂 Sometimes it’s not the plant that’s the problem. It’s the lack of space!

One of my plant friendships has grown into something particularly special 💜 We first started chatting on Instagram, then she came to visit, and before long, we were going plant shopping and attending plant events together. We’ve even organised a couple of events ourselves, including a cutting swap and another with plant sales tables 💚

These days, we probably talk less about plants and more about everything else in life, even when we’re out shopping for plants together. And I think that’s the loveliest part. A shared hobby brought us together, but the friendship grew into something much bigger 💖

I’ve also had some wonderfully memorable encounters with a fellow plant enthusiast who shares my name and my love for Pothos. We’ve met a few times when I’ve visited her hometown while visiting our son. And when I finally got to see her collection? Let’s just say the excitement levels were through the roof! 🤩 There’s nothing quite like meeting someone who shares your passion and discovering their very own leafy jungle 🤗

Different People, One Common Language 💚

Over time, I’ve also got to know several other wonderful women through plants, each with her own special place in my leafy world.

One is a true boss lady who runs an online plant supply shop. Another is a Philodendron superfan who has finally fallen for Monsteras, too! 🤩 And then there’s a Tillandsia expert who knows her air plants inside out.

We’re all different, with our own interests, personalities and passions. And that’s exactly how it should be! Our differences make the community richer, while our shared love for plants gives us something wonderful in common.

We may not have everything else in common, but when it comes to plants, we speak fluent plant 🤭

Of course, there are so many other wonderful people I haven’t mentioned individually, both from my online plant world and the real-life one. Perhaps some of you will recognise a little of that warmth and know that you’re part of this story, too. If you’re reading this, consider this a little thank-you for being part of my leafy world 🥰💚

More Than Just Plants 🌱

The plant community is also an endless source of inspiration and knowledge. We share tips, experiences, successes and occasional plant disasters. There’s always something new to learn, and nothing seems to awaken quite as much sympathy as someone discovering thrips or another nasty pest. It’s a collective, deeply felt sigh of recognition 😮‍💨

For me, plants also bring something positive into everyday life alongside the challenges of chronic illness. On mornings when my body has enough energy, I care for my plants or take photographs. When I need to rest, I can still chat about plants on Instagram.

They give me something to focus on, while the connections I’ve made through this hobby bring joy, laughter and a sense of belonging 🥰

You don’t need a rare collection, hundreds of plants or expert-level knowledge to be part of the community. Whether you have three houseplants or a home that has practically disappeared behind foliage, there’s room for you 🥰

Because plants might bring us together, but it’s the people who make the community special 💚🪴💚