Amanda Lim
East L.A. There is a special kind of joy in watching something grow and thrive under your care. I started my plant collection when I was struggling with a deep depression. During a season when I was barely taking care of myself, my plants gave me purpose and a reason to get out of bed. Every new leaf felt like a personal accomplishment. It also connected me to a close-knit houseplant community on Instagram, where people all around the world shared their best care tips and their own stories on how plants improved their mental health.