Outgrowing the Pot: Notes from a Recovering Plant Mom
About 10 years ago, I became a plant mom for the first time. I bought my first peace lily and proudly displayed her in our newly built home. I was all about that Scandi look – white and timber finishes, scaled back decor, neatly curated bookshelves. Her lush, calming presence softened the edges, grounding the minimalism with life and warmth. She didn’t just decorate the room – she made it feel like home.
After the first plant, I bought another, and then another. Pretty soon I had a small forest in my home. I currently have fifteen house plants (in a much smaller whare) – 10 of these are in my living area alone. We have more plants than any other single item in our home, apart from clothing, shoes and books.
Throw back to my Scandi-styled decor
But I have a confession to make. I haven’t been a very good plant mom over the last few years. Whilst I was all about them a while back – diving into different varieties, schooling up on plant care, and experimenting with apps. Nowadays, they’ve become a bit more of an obligation than a joy. I know that a few of my plants are in desperate need of attention, you can physically see this in their leaves and general look and feel. No doubt there are others that are on the brink of falling over – literally!
And boy do I feel guilty. Probably not as guilty as pet owners who fall out of love with their pet after the honeymoon period (fyi – we are not a pet family). But nonetheless, the guilt creeps in on the regular. I recently confided in a plant whisperer at mahi and she gave me some helpful advice. She recommended changing the soil type (more aerated and nutrient rich soils), assessing root health, trimming back rotten roots and browning leaves which take up too much of the plants energy in trying to repair.
So this weekend, I’m returning to my roots (excuse the pun), and becoming a good plant mom again. We are repotting! I’ve purchased new soils, a bunch of nutrients, and a range of new pot sizes – note they are mostly white and natural colours – I’m still obsessed with Scandi styling. My next few weekends will be dedicated to repotting my plant babies in the hope that the nutrient rich soil and extra space encourages new growth and beauty! A glow up – plant styles!
But why write a blog about repotting plants? For those that know me, or who are familiar with some of my prior blogs, y’all know I love me a good analogy. So, it hit me this morning whilst planning to repot – that this could be a good metaphor for personal growth.
So I asked Chat GPT “Why should you re-pot plants?” And this is the response I got back.
Roots outgrow the pot: Over time, a plant’s roots can become "root bound" — circling tightly around the pot with little room to grow. Repotting gives them more space to spread out and take up nutrients.
Soil gets tired: Old soil can lose nutrients, compact, and drain poorly. Fresh soil improves aeration, water retention, and feeds your plant better.
Encourages growth: A bigger pot and healthier soil can help your plant grow larger and stronger.
Pest and disease control: Repotting lets you check the root system and soil health, helping you spot and remove pests or rot.
Aesthetic refresh: Sometimes, it's just time for a glow-up. New pot, new vibe — and your plant might thank you with better growth and greener leaves.
I tell you, when I read this, I immediately saw a few kura huna. Sure, maybe I’m just a girl over here looking for tohu in anything and everything. Or maybe, there is actually something within this mātauranga that I, and others, might be able to apply to ourselves and our own lives.
So I’ve tried to flip the above guidance for plants into questions and guidance to support personal growth and self-improvement. Here’s what I came up with.
Make room to grow: Have you ever felt like you've outgrown a situation - a job, a relationship, a mindset - but stayed because it was familiar and comfortable? Like a plant in a small pot, staying can limit your growth. Maybe it’s time to step into a new environment with more room to stretch. It might be applying for a role you’re not sure you’re “ready” for, or joining a new friend group that supports you to reveal a new part of your personality or to develop new pūkenga. Ask yourself: What’s one mana move I could make this year to stretch into something new? Last year, I jumped off the corporate career ladder, and now I’m attempting to build a portfolio career!
Nutrient boost: The energy and people around us are like soil - they either nourish or drain us. Take stock: who do you spend time with? What kind of content are you consuming? Try this: for one week, notice which interactions or media lift your energy and which ones leave you feeling flat. I’m not suggesting you ditch your day ones - just consider mixing in some new voices. Start with a podcast or a new kaupapa to engage in. I’m currently listening to wealth creation and pūtea-focused podcasts. An injection of new energy and fresh perspectives can help ignite your hunger and desire to grow.
Back your potential: Sometimes we wait until we're "qualified" or "ready" before we stretch ourselves. But growth often comes after we’ve stepped into the bigger space. Where could you allow more space than you think you need - or deserve - just to see what growth might occur? I recently attended a kura reo and selected a group whose reo Māori capability was definitely higher than my own. And whilst there were many anxious moments where I questioned my decision, the experience of surrounding myself with people more capable than myself undoubtedly resulted in an accelerated learning experience.
Detoxing: We all carry things beneath the surface that impact our wellbeing and growth. It could be old narratives, unhealthy habits, or people-pleasing tendencies. Take a moment to ask yourself: what’s quietly depleting me? What could I let go of or address before it takes hold? At a recent wānanga, we held a Mahuika session where we gave to the goddess of fire all the things that weren’t serving us. I gave her self-doubt and all the “I’m not good enoughs”.
Time for a Glow-up: Sometimes change starts with something small. A haircut, a colour pop, a decluttered desk. It signals renewal. When’s the last time you treated yourself to a change just for you? Even if it’s just a new playlist or a bold pair of earrings. These moments can create a ripple effect. A few years back when I decided to give blonde a try, I overheard my nieces saying I was having a glow-up. Totally not the intention, it was more about concealing the silvers. But it was nice to know that others (particularly the younger reanga) acknowledged my trying something new.
Chat GPT suggests a good rule of thumb is to repot fast growing plants every 1-2 years. I think running through the above pātai every year feels about right for me as an opportunity to reflect, let go of the things no longer in service to my goals, and freeing up space for new phases of growth.
This takes me to my tino plant - the Monstera. A bit insta-cliche I know, but there is nothing quite like the pride you feel we you notice a new monstera leaf unfurling and in days it becomes the biggest leaf you think you’ve ever seen! These plants are worthy of a whole corner of your whare, a statement piece! I’ve grown two monstera’s in the last decade to full-size - and by full-sized, I’m referencing the indoor version.
I saw my first monstera in its natural state in Kaeo a couple of years ago. She was magnificent, an absolute go getter, spiraling up a tall rakau, thriving! She knows nothing about life in a pot. What pot?
For those of you who are familiar with Chat GPT, you’ll know that the response usually ends with a question. Most of the time it asks if you need more help. At the bottom of the Chat GPT response above, the question posed was more rhetoric in my view….“Got a specific plant you're thinking of repotting?”.
How about me?
Monstera thriving in her natural habitat
