Why I Started My Plant Journey in a Small Apartment

When people hear that I live in Hawaii, they often envision beautiful beaches lined with palm trees, gentle trade winds blowing through lush valleys, and a quiet island life surrounded by a tropical paradise. But the reality of my daily life looks a little different.

I moved into my current apartment about five months ago. It’s approximately 480 square feet – not exactly spacious, but just enough for me. The walls are stark white, the floors are simple, and outside my window, the sounds of city life never stop. Emergency vehicles rush down the main streets at all hours. Traffic flows constantly beneath my balcony. Neighbors go about their lives, creating a symphony of human activity that never truly quiets down.

I live in Honolulu, affectionately called “Town,” so I am a towney. While many parts of the island are lush with greenery, waterfalls, and hidden forest trails, my day-to-day life is walking on concrete, listening to emergency vehicles, and apartment buildings stacked close together.

Don’t get me wrong – I’m grateful to live here. There is beauty everywhere in Hawaii. But sometimes, especially after a long day, I miss the feeling of nature surrounding me. I miss greenery filling my vision instead of cars, buildings, and power lines. And so, as I approach my 50th birthday in just a few months, I’ve found myself reflecting deeply on the life I want to create in this next chapter.

Bringing the Outdoors In

One thing became clear during these reflections: I want to bring the outdoors in. I want to create a space that feels alive, peaceful, and nurturing – a little garden oasis amidst the city’s noise and my apartment’s white walls.

That’s why I started this plant journey.

Growing up, my mother always had plants. She had aloe vera on the kitchen windowsill for burns, pothos trailing down bookshelves, and the scent of mint leaves drifting from the garden whenever we brushed past them. Back then, I didn’t pay much attention. But now, decades later, I find myself longing for that same feeling of life and peace that plants bring.

I realized that even if I don’t live surrounded by rainforest, I can still create my own tiny jungle indoors. And so, I began researching the types of plants that could thrive in my apartment’s light conditions. I started researching methods for growing vegetables on balconies, hydroponic systems for small spaces, and techniques for caring for low-light plants to brighten the dark corners of my home.

Dreams of Strawberries, Peppers, and More

One of my dreams is to grow my own strawberries. There’s something special about the idea of walking onto my balcony in the morning, picking a bright red berry still warm from the sun, and enjoying its sweetness with my breakfast. I also want to grow peppers – maybe bell peppers, maybe something with a little heat – to add fresh flavor to my cooking.

And then there’s hydroponics. The idea of growing lettuce and herbs in water is fascinating to me. No soil, no mess – just a simple system of nutrients and light, creating fresh food right in my kitchen. It feels like magic, even though it’s science. I’m eager to try it and see what works best for me in my small space.

The Healing Power of Plants

Beyond food, I’m also drawn to plants for their healing properties. I want to grow aloe for skin care, mint for tea, and lavender to bring calm into my evenings. Plants have been used for centuries to heal and nourish, and I want to learn how to incorporate them into my daily life, not just as decorations, but as partners in my wellbeing.

Why I’m Sharing This Journey

You may wonder why I decided to share all of this publicly. The truth is, I’m not an expert. I’m not a horticulturist or professional gardener. I’m just a regular person learning as I go. However, I realized that there are probably many people out there like me – individuals who live in small apartments, surrounded by city life, and yearn to bring a bit of nature back into their homes.

I want to share my journey honestly, including the mistakes, the lessons learned, and the little victories along the way. Perhaps my experiences will inspire you to embark on your plant journey. Or maybe you’ll learn from my failures and save yourself some trouble. Either way, I hope this blog becomes a place where we can grow together.

Lessons I’ve Already Learned

Even in these early days, I’ve already learned a few important lessons:

1. Start Small.
   My first trip to the nursery ended with me wanting to buy everything. But I quickly realized it’s better to start with one or two plants and learn their needs before expanding.
2. Light Matters.
   I didn’t realize how little natural light some parts of my apartment get. Choosing the right plant for the right spot makes all the difference.
3. Patience is Key.
   Plants grow on their own timeline, not mine. Watching new leaves unfurl teaches me patience and gratitude.
4. Mistakes Happen.
   I’ve already overwatered one plant and underwatered another. Both survived, but I’m learning to pay attention and adjust as needed.
5. Plants Change the Energy of a Space.
   Even just a few small plants make my apartment feel warmer, cozier, and more alive.

Looking Ahead

As I continue this journey, I plan to share everything I learn here on Sproutful Living and on my YouTube channel. I’ll post updates about my balcony garden, my attempts at hydroponics, and my experiments with growing herbs and healing plants indoors.

I want this to be a place where beginner plant lovers feel welcome – where you don’t need to know all the scientific names or have perfect conditions to start. You need curiosity, patience, and a willingness to learn.

If you’ve ever considered incorporating plants into your life, I invite you to join me here on my blog. Let’s grow together, make mistakes together, and celebrate every sprout and bloom along the way.

Here’s to living sproutfully, one plant at a time.