Plant Whisperers: Sarah Gray

Plant Whisperers is our blog section where, each month, we interview Pilea lovers and plant enthusiasts all over the world!

This month we met Sarah from @splitleaf, a plant owner who lives in Ontario, Canada. She lives in a small apartment filled with plants, and on her Youtube channel, she keeps a plant journal for all her plants!

Hello Sarah!

Why did you fall in love with plants?

Plants absolutely changed my life.

They are a huge part of my online success and personal growth. I feel very proud of my plants and the community they have exposed me to!

I bought my first plant to fill the emptiness in both my apartment and soul. Having something to tend to, care about, and watch growing was very motivating.

Then I started noticing how plants could make my room come to life. From there, my love for them just kept growing and growing!

How many plants do you have, and how do you care for them?

Probably somewhere around 80. Trying to get to the century club! I think that would make me stressed out about all the money I have spent!

Part of how I manage to have so many is that I take time to learn about my plants and get into a natural flow with them.

My #1 plant tip is to start always slow! Do not rush to get more plants. Learn about your plant; get to know it, grow with it.

What's your experience with Pilea?

I am new to the Pilea world, but I love those plants! They are so unique and fun.

Very bright diffused light has been major in keeping mine happy – anything less, and the leaves start to warp and dome.

I also let mine get fairly dry, if not completely, before watering. I let the leaves tell me when they want moisture: Pilea is far more expressive than people think!

Do you ever talk to your plants?

All the time!

Even if there weren't plants around, I would probably be talking and singing to myself, so they are a nice audience.

I also tend to scold my plants when they aren't doing well – "How dare you to let your leaf fall off, Susan!"

How's being in a home where cats and plants live together?

Surprisingly simple! I hit the jackpot with two furballs that have no real interest. In the future, I will make a video explaining how to cohabitate with pets and plants.

My cat Melon once tried to nibble a Spider Plant, so I bought her a tiny cat grass garden; now, she exclusively eats that one.

She has also pushed a few plants off shelves and dug up the roots of my prized 4ft tall Peace Lily.

During all those moments, I cried, but looking back, I think it's hilarious how clumsy my cat can be. In the end, they are only plants: they can be replaced!