As I noticed my grandmother’s spider plant this morning, I remembered that she was born on this day in 1904. She was just a few months short of her 92nd birthday when she died in 1996, and this plant, rather, its parent, sat on top of the stereo in her living room for probably 10 years or more. After she died, a good deal of her belongings were carted off to Goodwill, while the rest were rescued by us packrats in the family. I was the only one interested in indoor plants, so I gladly took the spider plant that she cultivated for so long.
I successfully continued the tradition until the winter before last when, ashamedly, I left it on our enclosed backporch throughout the winter. I knew it couldn’t withstand the temperatures, yet I let it hang there, in the corner, on the coldest part of the porch. As is annoyingly typical of me, I kept putting off bringing it in as I had not yet decided on the “best” indoor spot for it. Plus, I first wanted to clean the webs off the fronds. And then rinse off the pot that was filthy with dust from the open window. And then make sure that the planets and the stars were aligned…
The perfect scenario never was.
Come spring, tiny green shoots were visible among the rotted leaves that hung limply over the edge of the pot and with a sigh of relief, I resumed care and nursed it back to health. The spider plant was given a second chance to live, while I was given a second chance to hold on to something very dear. And a second chance to mend my ways, although that has yet to happen.
The spider plant has proven to be just as strong-willed as my grandmother was all her life and stronger than I will ever be.
Happy birthday, N.
For anyone who’s wondering, yes, Lucy is still keeping an eye on the birdhouse.
Grace
T
8noodles
Anita
justin
YogaforCynics
I am glad the plant survived, truly a happy ending for the plant. Very inspiring that the plant was given another chance to survive.
betchai´s last blog post..Wildflower Hunt @ Blue Sky Ecological Reserve to Mt Woodson
“And then make sure that the planets and the stars were aligned…” lol.
Enjoyed this post. Short but had meaning.
Oh and please take care of that spider plant! :(
lol.
Plants can be so awesome like that – giving you another shot just when you think you screwed up.
Love the inadvertent Lucy inclusion. At least you know the birds will be okay with their ‘guard dog’. ;)
Svasti´s last blog post..Judith’s story
The spider plant seems to be thriving, so it must approve of the care you’ve been giving it!
Janie of Utah´s last blog post..A Thunderhead Grows
Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi betchai. Me too. Thank goodness that they are so hardy.
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Hi Lauren. Thanks for coming by glad that you enjoyed it. As far as the plant, as you can see, so far so good!
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Hey Svasti. Yes, I was really relieved that it had survived. I didn’t deserve it, but the plant did. Oh, and a little bit of bird drama yesterday evening that I may have to post about…
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Hi Janie. Yes, it tolerates me and is probably hoping that I keep my distance…at least until winter!
I like spider plants.
They are very pretty.
This one looks healthy
ForestWander Nature Photography´s last blog post..Yellow Forest Spring Wildflowers
Twitter: earthtoholly
Thanks, ForestWander.
The rain does wonders for it so I leave it outdoors in the summer. I think they like high humidity, which we have plenty of.
Twitter: chrissymarie321
That is a lovely story Holly, it sounds like your grandmother was a real character. I think we all neglect plants now and then, but I am glad to hear you got a second chance at it. They are quite resilient really :D
Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi Chrissy and thanks. Glad you liked it. Yes, she was so strong and very active well into her 80s. I wish she were here to see her plant now…
Oh yeah this time lucy is a lil’ away from previous spot.
And lovely plant.. how old is it?
Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi Doson. She still hangs around closer and sometimes I have to call her away…she just gets too close. The original plant was at least 20 years old. These are pretty hardy.
Twitter: craftybird
What a beautiful post Holly – thank you for sharing your Grandmothers birthday, and her spider plant, with us. What is it about grandmothers and their strength? I wasn’t close to mine sadly but they were both pretty feisty ladies.
Houseplants that you inherit or have travelled with you a long way are especially emotionally charged, so I’m really glad your gran’s spider plant is looking so good. I was horrified when I managed to kill a 30 year old money plant I that I’d grown from childhood, that damn plant had known me longer than anyone else in my life and I left it out for the frost to kill! I still beat myself up over it. Like you say, a lesson to learn.
Bird´s last blog post..Blogiversary…now we are 2!
Twitter: earthtoholly
Thank you so much, Bird. I’m glad you liked it. It was an admission of just how pitifully apathetic I can be. I agree about the grandmothers…both of mine were extremely strong and what the hell happened to me, I’ll never know.
Oh my gosh…your money plant. How awful for you. The poor plant is out of its misery, but like you say, you keep beating yourself up over it. I know it’s hard not to. Just recently I lost a ficus tree that was a house warming gift from 16 years ago. I’m feeling for you and the money plant, though…wow, 30 years. But, it did have a long and loving life…right? :o)
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