My Coworkers Have Leaves: How One Birthday Gift Sparked My Love for Plants

Looking back, I can actually pinpoint where my plant journey began.

For my 50th birthday, one of my coworkers gave me a beautiful two-tier succulent arrangement. At the time, I had no idea that one thoughtful birthday gift would eventually lead to a home filled with more than 50 houseplants, an outdoor collection of succulents, and a backyard that I now consider my own little container garden.

But looking back now at 51, I can honestly say that little succulent arrangement planted a seed—no pun intended—and sparked something in me that I never expected.

I still consider myself a beginner when it comes to houseplants and gardening. My plant journey has really only been growing for about a year, and I have so much left to learn. I don’t know all the scientific names, and I certainly don’t have every plant-care answer. I still look things up, ask questions, experiment, and occasionally wonder what I did wrong when a plant isn’t looking its best.

But maybe that is part of what I love most about this journey.

You don’t have to know everything before you begin.

You just have to start.

From One Succulent to More Than 50 Houseplants

After receiving that first succulent arrangement, I slowly became more interested in plants. I started noticing them more. I became curious about different varieties and wondered whether I could successfully care for them.

One plant eventually became two.

Two became five.

And before I knew it, I had more than 50 houseplants!

My home is now filled with greenery and many of my favorite varieties, including Pothos, Philodendrons, Monsteras, and Hoyas. I love the differences between them. Some trail and vine, while others grow large, dramatic leaves. Each plant seems to have its own personality and preferences.

The more plants I brought home, the more I wanted to learn.

I started paying closer attention to lighting, watering, soil, drainage, and growth. I quickly learned that plant care isn’t always as simple as giving every plant water once a week and hoping for the best! Every plant has different needs, and learning what works has definitely involved some trial and error.

Some plants have thrived right away. Others have challenged me.

But every new leaf, every bit of growth, and yes, even every mistake has taught me something.

My Coworkers Have Leaves

Another important part of my plant story is that I have been working from home since the pandemic.

When the pandemic changed the way many of us worked, I went from going into an office and being surrounded by coworkers every day to working from home. Suddenly, I was spending much more time in my own space.

Over time, plants slowly became part of that everyday environment.

I began adding more greenery around my home, and without even realizing it, my plants became part of my daily routine. Eventually, I started joking that my plants had become my coworkers.

After all, when you work from home, who else is there to keep you company throughout the day?

The difference is that these coworkers are pretty quiet.

They don’t schedule meetings, send emails, or interrupt me while I’m trying to concentrate. But they definitely have ways of communicating when they need something! A droopy leaf, dry soil, or a plant leaning dramatically toward the window is basically their version of sending me an email.

Caring for my plants has also given me little reasons to step away from my desk during the day. Checking for new growth, rotating a plant toward the light, or watering something that needs attention gives me a moment to pause and reset.

Somewhere along the way, my coworkers changed from people in an office to Pothos, Philodendrons, Monsteras, Hoyas—and more.

And honestly, I think they may be some of my favorite coworkers yet.

Watching the Growth

One of my absolute favorite parts of this journey has been watching my plants grow.

I have taken plenty of photos along the way, and sometimes I don’t realize how much something has changed until I look back at where it started.

A small plant can slowly become fuller, longer, taller, or completely transform over time. Seeing those before-and-after moments is incredibly rewarding.

As someone who still considers herself a beginner, seeing that growth gives me confidence. It reminds me that I don’t have to be an expert to successfully care for plants. Sometimes it simply takes paying attention, learning along the way, and being patient.

Plants have definitely taught me patience.

You can’t rush growth. You can give a plant the best environment you know how, provide water and care, and then you have to wait. Sometimes growth happens quickly, and sometimes it feels like nothing is happening at all—until one day you notice a new leaf unfurling.

Those little moments may seem small, but they bring me so much joy.

Taking My Love for Plants Outside

My love for plants didn’t stay indoors for long.

Eventually, I started looking at my backyard differently and began creating what I consider my own little container garden.

I love the creativity that comes with gardening in containers. My backyard includes bougainvilleas, shrubs, and other plants growing in containers and incorporated around trellises and arches.

It is still very much a work in progress—and I think that may be one of the things I enjoy most about it.

There is always another area I want to work on, another plant I want to try, or another idea I want to bring to life. Slowly watching the backyard become greener and more inviting has been one of the most rewarding parts of this entire journey.

I also have at least 25 succulents growing outside, which feels especially fitting considering that my entire plant journey started with a succulent arrangement.

I love the variety they bring—the different shapes, textures, sizes, and colors. They are a reminder that plants don’t all have to look alike to be beautiful.

Still a Beginner—and Still Growing

Today, at 51, I have more than 50 houseplants, at least 25 outdoor succulents, and a backyard filled with containers, bougainvilleas, shrubs, trellises, and arches.

Yet I still proudly consider myself a beginner.

I am still learning.

I am still experimenting.

I am still making mistakes.

And I am still falling more in love with plants along the way.

For me, this journey isn’t about having the most perfect plants or knowing everything there is to know about gardening. It is about enjoying the process. It is about seeing something grow because you cared for it. It is about bringing more life and beauty into the spaces where you spend your time.

It is also about remembering that sometimes the best things begin unexpectedly.

I never imagined that a two-tier succulent arrangement given to me by a coworker for my 50th birthday would lead me here.

But one thoughtful gift sparked a curiosity that grew into a hobby, and that hobby has now become something I truly love.

If there is one thing I have learned during this journey, it is that you don’t have to know everything to begin.

You can start with one plant.

One succulent.

One container.

One cutting.

And then learn as you go.

Who knows? Before long, you may find yourself surrounded by more plants than you ever imagined—and joking that your coworkers have leaves.

For me, at 51 and only about a year into this plant journey, I know one thing for sure:

I’m still a beginner, but I’m growing right along with my plants—and I think this is only the beginning.