December 1: Christmas Cactus

At the close of my visit to California after my father’s passing in February, I brought home some clippings from my Dad’s Christmas cactus, a beautiful plant that he had been growing for years.  The cactus spent the Summer and Fall outside under my watchful eye.  I was pleased as the transplants took hold and began to grow.  The plant is the recipient of a lot of attention; I talk to it as if my dad can hear me.  In the cold weather, it’s come inside and sits front and center to soak up the Winter sunlight.  

I didn’t expect any flowers this year but that is exactly what has happened.  

In my mind, these bright blooms can only have one source, the green thumb of my dad reaching through the great beyond.  Each morning I say hello to him and the blooms.  I think that my early-rising Dad would appreciate a morning greeting as dawn emerges.  And that I feel his spirit as the day begins is a lovely gift from this precious plant.  

Gratitude Journal: Christmas Cactus

I cling to my daily gratitude practice like the lifeline it is while I live with my painful hip and the food restriction said hip requires.  There is a hand-lettered note on my nightstand reminding me to find grace.  At the end of each day, I meditate and identify that grace.  

Pain and anxiety about my hip are my constant companion and some days, grace feels like a mighty small antidote.  But I cling to it….it’s not small unless I make it small.  Lately, a daily measure of grace can be found in my Christmas cactus.  A pretty little plant is growing from the two stalks I took from my dad’s enormous cactus.  My plant got its start in February, after my dad’s passing.  When I see it, I am reminded of him.  That it is flourishing is a source of such comfort and joy to me, and I am grateful for it on a daily basis.

November 1: All Inside Now

We’ve had a mostly warm Fall and plenty of time on the back deck and front porch.  Last weekend, Saturday was sunny and warm but Sunday was rainy and cool, with cold temperatures forecast for the week.  It was time for my houseplants to come inside for the Winter.  

That’s no small task and given my current physical challenges, I recruited JT to help with the job.  I gave some plants a haircut and he brought the plants inside.  The big shefflura and two pothos got a spot in my study.  Most got a perch near the south-facing living room window.  

Two more are making their home in the dining room alongside some of the plants that live indoors in all seasons.  These plants are my pride and joy.  They ensure that my house feels like a home and they make me smile all the time, but especially in the darkest portions of Winter, when they brighten the surroundings and remind me that warmer days will be here soon.

October 1: The Hopeful Dieffenbachia

In 2019, my sister gave me plant-a-month birthday present.  For 6 months, tiny houseplants were delivered to my door  It was delightful and this  dieffenbachia was one of those plants.  

It’s grown quite a bit since then - this it it’s third pot - and for Halloween it has a black cat plant stake.  By the end of this month, overnight temperatures will be cool enough that plants must come inside for the season.  But we’re not there yet and both the dieffenbachia and I are determined to soak up the last of the warmth.

September 1: Snake Plant

Earlier this summer, I went to a local plant store with my friend A, who is as plant-enamored as I am.  I came home with a few additions to my plant world, including this snake plant. 

It needs a name, of course, but while I wait for that inspiration, I enjoy it on the front porch.  I tucked a tiny clay mouse into the soil and it’s thriving in this lovely pot.  Snake plants are notoriously forgiving plants, prone to thriving.  I am not a careless plant mom, so it’s in no danger of being neglected.  It’s been the delight of my summer hours on the front porch and that’s very happy!

August 1: Mama’s Little Shefflura

I bought this shefflura - also known as an umbrella plant because of the shape of the leaves - in a 6 inch pot at Ikea at least 10 years ago.  Ikea is a terrific resource for amazing plants and this little gem is proof.  

Though it’s not really a “little gem” anymore.  At nearly 5 feet tall (and that's after a big pruning), it’s more of a tree, albeit a tree that needs to come inside to survive the Winter season.  In the Summer, it lives in a corner of the front porch.  In the Winter, it comes inside on a wheeled stand because it’s far too heavy for me to maneuver too many steps on my own.  I love it for its lush greenery, its rapid growth, and its insistence of taking up the space it needs to grow.  I find that a powerful reminder that I should unapologetically do the same.   

July 1: Christmas (Cactus) in July

Nearly all of my houseplants are outside on the front porch for the Summer and that includes the tiny transplant from my Dad’s Christmas cactus.  It held its own after I returned from California in February, though it did not grow.  For obvious reasons, this particular plant is special to me, so I put it on the porch with some reluctance and in a spot where I would be sure to see it every day.  In mid-June, I saw red growth on the end of all four stems.  This is the first Christmas cactus I've grown and I wondered if the spots of red meant a bloom was coming.  Turns out that the red was the start of new growth.  

Those red buds buds grew into four new stems and then four more red buds followed.  I know now that means more stems are taking hold.  Huzzah!

I check in on the cactus every morning when I drink my coffee on the porch.  That the plant is an offshoot of my Dad’s is a source of comfort and peace to me.  The new growth feels like a message from him and I am best pleased to see it.

June 1: All on the Front Porch Now

We’ve had a truly lovely month of May and, as is my custom, all of the indoor houseplants were moved outside to soak up the sunshine and warmth.  I added some impatiens and geraniums to the mix, as is my way, and the front porch is now my peaceful plant oasis.  

I spent most of Memorial Day weekend sitting out here or on the back deck.  Both places feel like a refuge.  This week, I’ve been out here in the early morning chill to enjoy the bird chatter and my first cup of coffee of the day.  When Summer Break arrives fully, I will sit out here every morning before I go to work and again when I come home in the early afternoon. 

Surrounded by my plants, I have the time to attend to each one fully.  I can admire the blooms starting to emerge on my peace lily.  I can consider whether I should trim my giant shefflura.  I can admire the enormous leaves of a particular pothos.  I can give the Christmas cactus, a transplant from my dad’s enormous cactus, all the love and affection it deserves.

These plants are my salvation in the cold dark Winter, when they brighten my days and bring warmth to my home.  And in the Summer, they are my morning glory.  That’s happy.