Have you ever spent a little bit of your time looking around your house and realized that there is an emptiness lurking within the shadows? Or perhaps, you feel like there is something missing and you need to fill that gap?
Well, my father was.
I mentioned in my past blogs that my father has a green thumb. In short, he loves gardening, planting, and harvesting. That is where he spends most of his time every single day, out in the vacant lot, hands full of soil, and quietly tending to his beloved plants. He is also kind of strict and observant. He loves arranging plants and decorating the house meticulously with random things he bought online or any plants that he thinks are suitable for our home.
According to him, a home should never feel too boring or lifeless. It should radiate life to the point that other people feel that it is being lived in, that it is full of life. Blooming, breathing, and constantly evolving, just like the plants. For him, plants are not just plants. They are not just a decoration and an ornamental element to make your house look lively and visually appealing. Plants serve as silent companions that fill the unusual silence, soften the rough edges, and make a home feel worthy of living.
I thought before that he was just joking around. Exaggerating even. That he just said that because he is slowly becoming an oldie, a ‘plantito’. But recently, I managed to see the difference. Back in those days, our house was just a plain sight. Nothing special, full of furniture, random paintings displayed, calendars hanging on the wall, and various appliances fixed in different locations. But now, it looks different. The green leaves of the houseplants scattered around the house changed the atmosphere and appeal of the place. It is more relaxing compared to before.
This is our visiting area, the terrace. As you can see, my father placed the reclining chair beside the Spathiphyllum Wallisii or commonly known as the Peace Lily. This is his favorite spot, where he is playing mobile games, reading, or just plain sleeping. It’s his sanctuary after his long day of work. The Peace lily stands so tall and proud, its white flower looks like a covering for a spine. My parents believe that this plant brings luck and peace, just like its name. And to be honest, upon looking at it, there’s something about it that calms my nerves, especially if it’s directly being hit by the sunlight during afternoons. It glows naturally to the point that the space feels warmer and livelier. This is not just a plant anymore, it has become a natural part of our home, part of our everyday life.
I asked my father why he chose Peace Lily as one of our houseplants instead of all the plants available to be displayed. He just said that this plant is known for its air-purifying properties. To confirm that, I went to read some information about this plant, and from what I have learned, this plant removes toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the air. It also symbolizes peace and prosperity, which adds a serene energy to the space it belongs in.
Then, in the same location, hanging on the wall is the Dieffenbachia or commonly known as Dumb Cane. My father recycled the 1.5-liter plastic bottle to make it a pot for the plant. At first, I wonder why he chose to hang it on the wall and place it beside the decorations, but it turns out well either way, so I just keep my opinion to myself. This plant has some striking patterns of green and cream, a good combination that always attracts visitors whenever they are in our house. It’s color makes it impossible to miss. It’s one of the plants that gets your attention, even to those people who don’t usually notice plants nearby.
Did you know why it is called ‘Dumb Cane’? Well, it is because its sap can temporarily paralyze or numb vocal cords once ingested. This plant must be kept out of reach of children. Not just to children but to pets as well, it could be fatal for them. On the contrary, this houseplant is one of the easiest to care for. It thrives in medium light, and it tolerates indoor humidity quite well.
Another plant displayed on our terrace is the Aloe vera. It is placed in a small plastic pot, always basking in the soft morning sunlight. It looks simple, and compared to other plants, this one is not showy, with no flowers or even patterned leaves. Despite it simplicity, it holds an immense quiet power. It is a medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory and healing properties. For sure, you already know that it is used to treat burns, cuts, or skin irritations. It can also purify the air and reduce harmful chemicals.
I remembered the time when I accidentally burned my finger while cooking, my father just sliced off one of its thick leaves, and gently applied the gel to my burned skin. It’s not just for display, it comes in handy at times you need it the most.
The last houseplant to be featured is the Oxalis Triangularis or also known as False Shamrock. This plant has deep purple leaves and has white flowers. This is one of the coolest plants I know because its flowers are open during the day but close at night. It is a photophilic plant, which means it follows sunlight. It’s good to place it in open areas like windows or shaded areas.
Look at that close-up shot! Its flowers look alive and thriving, but when I look at its flowers at night? It is definitely closed as if it's sleeping. It's like the Makahiya plant, but also different when it comes to the way it closes.
Aside from our houseplants, we also have the Moringa Oleifera or the Miracle tree. Malunggay in our province. This is not a houseplant but a tree; it has lots of small leaves, and its leaves and fruits are edible. We commonly use it as an ingredient along with Miswa and Pinakbet. I wonder though, are you familiar with Malunggay? Do you also eat its fruit? Its bunga? Because we actually do! It is Hagod in our term here, because you need to scrape it using your teeth just to eat its laman.
Look how the Malunggay trees are full of small circular leaves. It is beside the Mango tree in our backyard. We already trimmed it down since its branches has the possibility to damage our roofs.
This is a close-up look at its fruit. It's long and quite thick. Are you familiar with this? My father said that in some places, they consider this poison, but it is actually not. It's delicious, though.
Living in a house surrounded by plants taught me how something so simple can be beautiful and comfortable at the same time. There’s some kind of joy waking up to soft green houseplants swaying inside your home, it is like a glimpse of a new leaf growing in a slow rhythm. These moments showed me that growth doesn’t have to be that loud. It can be silent, steady, and deeply rooted.
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ALL IMAGES on this blog is CAPTURED by the AUTHOR unless stated OTHERWISE