Plant mom Debbie Hall finds healing in gardening
Published:Friday | November 3, 2023 | 12:06 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
It is said that nothing provides more comfort or solace than gardening. Debbie Hall knew from early that she had a pure love for plants. But it wasn’t until the global pandemic three years ago that she discovered her green thumb. Today, as a healthcare professional and a proud plant mom, she has surrounded herself with potted plants, both indoors and outdoors, in her home and office spaces.
“Plants are relaxing and are very therapeutic for me. Plants bring me joy, especially after a long workday. Being healthy encompasses the mental aspect, and gardening contributes significantly to achieving that holistic balance, so your environment should speak to your health,” the health and fitness expert told Living.
Hall, who grew up around plants, shared that she has her mother to thank for this interest. “My mom loved plants and that’s where I got my passion from.”
Listing orchids as her absolute favourite plant, she noted in opposition that she is no fan of artificial flowers. “We don’t do anything artificial. I believe those things hoard and bring in ‘crosses’.”
Set on this natural foundation, she had never considered putting her love for plants into practice until the world went into lockdown. “During the pandemic, I was craving a sense of calmness. Thinking about what was happening in the world, and actually having COVID-19, plants became the perfect remedy. I wouldn’t have made it through without them. I created a space that is a reflection of peace, lifted my mood and helped me to focus. Having a plant or two around you does wonders for your state of mind.”
With patience and persistence, Hall was able to curate an ideal flora, going from novice to doing her garden justice as a plant parent and advocate. “I think I always had a green thumb. But I was more convinced during the pandemic because I had more free time to dibble and dabble with what works for me and what I really liked,” Hall explained.
Her extensive line of green babies include, but are not limited to, fig tree plant, sansevieria (snake plant), lucky bamboo, monstera, a variety of orchids, aloe vera, jade plant, rubber plant, Chinese evergreen, ZZ plant, epiphyllum oxypetalum (queen of the night), pencil cactus, fishbone cactus, palm trees and a few succulents. “Some of these plants are inside the house and some are around the house,” she added.
Her favourites, aside from orchids, are the sansevieria plants, and here’s why, “Sansevieria is very low maintenance. Scientifically and environmentally speaking, it helps to purify the air in your home. The snake plants are air purifier plants, so it’s definitely a plant I’d recommend to someone who is starting out in the plant world.”
It’s important to note that the snake plant not only purifies the air but also senses negative energies in its surroundings. “If anybody comes into your home or your space with a bad energy, it tells you. The leaves will become brown, withered or yellow. It has happened before and that person or persons are no longer welcome in my space.”
Succulents, on the other hand, are still a moot point for the avid gardener. “Succulents are very fickle and fragile,” she said, adding, “They need different attention from other plants. They don’t really need water. But it all depends on the kind of succulent. Luckily for me, I am still learning.”
With only a few plants withering and many thriving under her care, the garden process, she says, is still a work in progress.
New plant owners often struggle with overwatering or underwatering, a challenge that varies from one plant to another. Hall emphasised the importance of researching and gaining knowledge about your specific potted treasure to avoid this common mistake.
“I think you’re not getting the plants that are suitable for you. If you don’t have the time, then having a low maintenance plant would be best. People tend to overindulge; don’t get too much at one time, work with one, see how it works for you and grow from there. You don’t have to have a green thumb. You can learn and you can just get plants that don’t require that much attention,” she highlighted.
For Hall, the best part about being a plant mom is seeing her babies in bloom, gifting some of them to others and watching them flourish. “I love to get my hands dirty. But seeing the joy that it brings to those who walk through the door, whether at work or at home, is incredible. Also, sharing plants with friends and clients, experiencing their gratitude and seeing them transform their lives definitely makes it all worth it,” she said, adding that sometimes she has to resurrect a plant and return it to them.
For new plant owners, Hall suggests studying the growth patterns of the plants that are placed, paying attention to how they respond to their environment and lighting conditions. “If you love plants but your environment, like an apartment, isn’t as accommodating when it comes to sunlight, then you may want to invest in artificial lighting, which can be purchased online, so your plant can thrive. And talk to your plants; they will respond positively to your nurturing conversation,” she revealed.