Summer Rayne Oakes, an urban houseplant expert and environmental
scientist, is the icon of wellness-minded millennials who want to bring
nature indoors, according to a New York Times profile. Summer has
managed to grow 1,000 houseplants in her Brooklyn apartment (and they're
thriving!) Her secret? She approaches her relationships with plants as
intentionally as if they were people.
Everyone deserves to feel the inner peace that comes from taking care of
greenery. Beyond the obvious benefits--beauty and cleaner air--there's a
strong psychological benefit to nurturing plants as a path to
mindfulness. They can reduce our stress level, lower our blood pressure,
and improve our overall outlook. And they offer a rare opportunity to
find joy by caring for another living being.
When Summer Rayne Oakes moved to Brooklyn from the Pennsylvania
countryside, she knew that bringing nature indoors was her only chance
to stay sane. She found them by the side of the road, in long-forgotten
window boxes, at farmers' markets, and in local garden shops. She found
ways to shelve, hang, tuck, anchor, secure, and suspend them. She even
installed a 150-foot expandable hose that connects to pipes under her
kitchen sink, so she only has to spend about a half-hour a day tending
to her plants--an activity that she describes as a moving meditation.
This is Summer's guidebook for cultivating an entirely new relationship
with your plant children. Inside, you'll learn to:
Pause for the flowers and greenery all around you, even the ones
sprouting bravely between cracked pavement
Trust that your apartment jungle offers you far more than pretty décor
See the world from a plant's perspective, trading modern consumerism for
sustainability
Serve your chlorophyllic friends by learning to identify the right
species for your home and to recreate their natural habitat (Bonus: your
indoor garden won't die!)
When we become plant parents, we also become better caretakers of
ourselves, the people around us, and our planet. So, let's step inside
the world of plants and discover how we can begin cultivating our own
personal green space--in our homes, in our minds, and in our hearts.
