With the rise of viral hashtags #plantitos and #plantitas all around our favorite social media platforms amidst the pandemic, we see how more and more people have been cultivating and nurturing household plants AKA embracing the life of being a plant parent. From succulents to snake plants to monsteras, many have certainly kept themselves busy tending to their growing indoor gardens. 

Plant parenting isn’t a mere quarantine trend. It’s definitely not going away anytime soon given the numerous environmental organizations emerging across the world with the like-minded goal of spreading awareness and taking care of our green communities, specifically our forests. Besides the beautiful sights, forests provide significant benefits to both our environment and health. Trees are the world’s natural filtration systems that clean the air we breathe and water we drink. Forests do not only support the ecological system, but as well as human livelihoods. Beyond the basics of houseplant care, there is a bigger picture involved, which is protecting our trees and conserving our forests that are currently being threatened by man-made activities.

Being a plant parent shouldn’t be limited to the confines of our homes. Change starts with you! Here are 5 simple tips towards becoming a more sustainable plant parent for the planet.

Conserve water by reusing it for our plants

Water is one of the most precious natural resources because it carries nutrients for the survival of all living things, from plants to animals to us human beings. By allocating a responsible amount when watering our plants, we’re able to sustain life and, at the same time, maintain water supply for necessary future plans. There are several ways to conserve water that can both save money and resources.

A sustainable and, not to mention, free way to conserve water is by collecting rainwater and using it for our plants. This can be done through setting up a drum or some buckets outside just in time for the rainy season. Another nutrient-rich alternative is collecting kitchen water used in washing fruits and vegetables or boiling pasta or vegetables. Tip: Mix with a small amount of freshwater to dilute any smell!

Recycle plastic bottles into pots or containers

One of the major environmental issues our country and the world has been consistently facing is plastic pollution. Plastic wastes negatively affect wildlife, physical habitats, food quality, human health, and more. Moreover, plastic usually takes around hundreds to a thousand years to decompose, leaving its debris to sit in landfills, clogging sewers, littering roads, or polluting oceans. By converting these into a more resourceful and productive manner, this can help minimize the production of new batches of the same disposable items.

Single-use plastics, such as plastic bottles, can be efficiently and creatively used as an alternative container for watering cans and plant pots. An efficient example would be how plastic bottles have long been used as pots for vertical gardens. Upcycling household tin cans or jars that aren’t of use anymore is also a sustainable practice.

In removing unwanted weeds and pests, say no to chemical pesticides 

And yes to using natural fertilizers and herbicides instead! These chemical pesticides come in various forms and are readily available in our local supermarkets. Unfortunately, these usually contain toxic ingredients that can be harmful to the environment and human beings in the long run, most especially if persistently used, and not stored or disposed properly.

Some non-chemical methods to avoid weeds and pests can be through traditional and manual ways, such as setting traps, mulching, and hand weeding. Creating a compost through recycled food and other wastes can also act as an organic fertilizer for the plants. This gives off natural nutrients and boosts soil fertility without having to rely on artificial fertilizers. 

Choose and source the right plants!

Research is always a good idea when it comes to choosing a plant. There are plants that require less maintenance and water to thrive, which allows our indoor gardens to become self-sustaining with the help of beneficial insect species. This can also cut-down an unnecessary amount of resources we are initially consuming in order to sustain them.

Plant parents should also be responsible when sourcing their plants. With indoor gardening now a favorite quarantine hobby, it has also prompted many to capitalize on this growing trend. This includes the rise of online resellers, barter groups, and unfortunately, even plant poachers. Plant poaching is the act of illegally removing a plant from its natural habitat. As price and demand are skyrocketing, many plant species are being threatened to extinction due to continuous plant poaching.

Being knowledgeable is important in being a plant parent. Gubatbp., Forest Foundation Philippines’ monthly podcast, aims to help by bringing insightful stories and discussions, from house plants, to our forests, to biodiversity. Navigate the plant parent life by listening to their first episode “How to be a Responsible Plantito/Plantita” here: https://www.gubatbp.forestfoundation.ph/episode-1/.

Indeed, plants have the ability to make a room appear livelier. However, they shouldn’t be seen nor treated as a mere decor only. Becoming a #plantito or #plantita is more than just following today’s trends. From where we source them to how we take care of them, it’s a big responsibility that can either have a positive or negative impact on our forests.

Plant parenting is always a great step towards becoming more environmentally conscious. Always take note of the four R’s for the environment: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Small changes can make a big difference!