This month we interviewed Becky, who started plant collecting four years ago to help with fatigue and burnout from her emotionally taxing animal welfare occupation. She needed a hobby that involved nurturing, independent from animals. She then found plants. What started with a few succulent cuttings has now grown to over 320 containers of plants in her home and a local online plant community, “Maryland Plant Hobbyists,” with almost 1,500 members! 

Becky has worked in animal welfare and open admission shelters for the past 9 ½ years. During her time working with animals, she has seen many happy endings as well as many sad and disheartening endings.

My kids and my family have seen me at my best and my worst with this job. There have been many tears over those that could not be saved, or those that were severely mistreated by humans before coming to the shelter. Over the years, it took a toll on me, in a lot of ways. 

Becky needed something that could help her heal, and it all started with a couple succulents. 

I took my brother and sister out to one of those succulent workshops where you drink wine and make an arrangement to take home. It was fun and relaxing, so I ordered some succulent cuttings, and slowly delved into the house plant hobby. I joined a bunch of Facebook groups, asking questions/learning from others, buying online, and then trading, etc. I started with succulents and cacti, trying my hand at propagating them and then started testing the waters with some tropicals. I now focus mostly on aroids.

This hobby was a conscious choice for me. I chose to start collecting and learning about plants because I was struggling with compassion fatigue and burnout. I needed a hobby that involved nurturing, that was separate from animals. I needed an escape, something that could help me heal. I joined a bunch of Facebook groups and dove into learning about plants. Everything from light/water/humidity/soil/temperature needs to how to propagate cuttings to scientific names, etc. It was fascinating, and there was so much to learn! 

With her new found hobby, Becky decided to create something even greater with her acquired plant knowledge.

Over time, I found a network of individuals who all shared this common interest in the Maryland area and I wanted to try and bring these folks together by creating the Maryland Plant Hobbyists group back in November 2018. Since then, the group has grown tremendously, to almost 1500 members! The very first plant swap had roughly 12 attendees. The most recent Plant Market (where we had vendors selling, as well as swap tables), had over 400 attendees!! It's been amazing to watch the group grow, and see the connections and friendships that have formed, all due to the love of plants. 

Maryland Plant Hobbyists welcomes anyone who is passionate about plants at any level, who lives in or near Maryland. It is a place to learn, share, grow and meet other plant enthusiasts. We have a team of admins and moderators who help with managing the Facebook page, Instagram and planning events. I look forward to seeing how we continue to grow in the future.

Becky shared quite the adventurous plant story about “Big Bertha” that her husband and daughter set forth on. 

In June 2018, I saw a post from a gentleman, living in Pittsburgh, with this giant plant that he could no longer move into his house in the winter. He was looking for someone to adopt her. So, I reached out, and my husband and oldest daughter went on a road trip from Baltimore to Pittsburgh, to pick her up, in our truck. They had quite the adventure: loading her into the truck, driving back roads all the way home. They got all kinds of funny looks, and questions from passersby on the road and when they would stop to get food or gas. Everyone was delighted to see a huge cactus driving down the road in the back of a pick up truck! We named her "Big Bertha!" She's a Euphorbia Candelabrum (not a cactus, but a close relative) and has grown to almost 9 feet tall. We move her into our garage for the winter, and then back out again in the spring. 

While Becky’s collection of 320+ plants is constantly changing as she propagates and shares with others, we asked which of her plants are her favorites.

I can’t choose one, so, my top 4 are: my String of Pearls (which is about 4 feet long), my almost 9 foot tall Euphorbia Candelabrum (named Big Bertha), my Mimosa tree in my backyard and my Pink Princess Philodendrons.

Becky also said that she is very content with her plant collection now, so she currently does not have any plants on her wishlist. 

With such experience and a large collection, we wanted to know if Becky had ever killed any of her plants. Her response was rather comforting for those of us who may have had our share of plant funerals.

Of course. I killed many while learning how to care for them properly. Mostly accidental over/underwatering.

Becky hopes to have inspired her oldest daughter who has had her own plant collection in her room for a couple of years now, along with others who are a part of her online plant community. Becky shares how plants have greatly impacted her life, so she wishes the same for others. 

Plants have helped me heal and get back to who I truly am. There’s so many options with this hobby and it can go in so many directions. I still have a lot to learn, and I’m incredibly grateful I’ve found an outlet for my stress and anxiety. It’s truly been therapeutic for me. I hope others can use this hobby to create their happy place in their home, with plenty of greenery, like I have.

Becky continues to inspire us and offers some advice to new plant parents:

Do your research, join some plant groups where you can ask questions and get to know others who share your love of plants. Try out a few different varieties of plants to see which ones interest you and are easiest for you to grow and care for in your home. Know that some won’t make it, and that’s ok.

Follow more of Becky’s plant endeavours and care tips on Instagram! @sassy_plant_woman and @Maryland_plant_hobbyists