HERE ARE FIVE GARDENING TIPS FROM FAJILAN

1. Get plants that are suitable to grow in your environment.

2. Know lighting conditions. Assess if your place has enough morning sun, afternoon sun, or if it is shaded throughout the day. Buy and arrange your plants according to these conditions.

3. Study plant care, watering requirements, feeding needs, and treatment for pests.

4. Know how to group plants together. Mimic the natural habitat of plants in your garden.

5. You must love and must have enough time and energy to take care of your chosen plants. If not, get a goldfish instead, Fajilan says.

None of the plants in his collection are for sale, but for him, true happiness is real when shared; he recently started bartering some of his plants with his friends in exchange for what they can offer.

Photos from Lee Fajilan.