Plantohlics

By Bratati Bhattacharya Sen as told to Jamuna Rangachari 

Many of us just talk about the environment and hardly do  anything about it. Some, however do take some steps  

Plantohlics is a happy place for gardeners and plant lovers to learn, share fun moments around gardening. 

Plantohlics Gardening Ideas and more (India) is a facebook group made in 2019 created whimsically, now having 1.1 Million garden lovers.

I graduated with Physics, pursued studies at Institution of Engineers (India), MBA from NMIMS Global and having years of working experience in different fields, at my core a fun lover and default green lover, who love to promote gardening as a way of living life and stay away from perfections and rat race everywhere. 
 
When work was stressful as things-to-do lists were more, accolades were less - gardening was such a pleasure even adopting 4-5 plants at home. When I lost my mother, talking to plants worked like therapy indeed, was able to see her face on every leaf and flowers. 
 
The reason behind continuing gardening was really different at different times. Gardening became a Happy window for me after a long day. Gardening was such a comfort place where nothing is judged and there were small and big successes every single day. A little sprouted leaf has immense power to make you feel encouraged. Growing plants gave me sense of success, sense of fulfilment, sweet pains  and relief from daily hassle. 
 
The facebook group was created just to connect with similar plant addicts, Plantohlics.  
 
I was not sure there are many like me , but I was really wrong. All fun -words, memes, failure stories and struggles regarding gardening were well resonated by thousands and then lacs. Afterall I was not the only one looking for more plants and help plants to survive against challenges.  
 
People madly in love with plants kept getting connected.  When information is everywhere but human touch is reducing, break free discussions worked wonder. 

Slowly it became a family where no one shared their own picture , but their terrace garden, lawn, balcony garden and so much more. Proved again, truly , plant parents are obsessed with Plants and always looking for new plants, wish to learn and show-off their success and failures to other Plantohlics.  

Plant Meet-ups  
 
After almost 5 years where every day more than 1000 posts are made by members and scrutinised, approved, a need was felt to create a platform where few things should remain permanently from the real experience of gardeners. Not for Likes, subscriptions and satisfy algorithms of social media. A place where Plantohlics can share their extra plants with some other plant lover, swap few plants, and sometimes sell. Exchange seeds, have plant meet-ups.  
 
Plantohlics organised more than 10 plantation programs at different places. Dozens of people came forward to donate saplings, seeds, plants and voluntary work. 
 
 
Birth of Eco Friendly Plantohlics Store 

 
It was a ripple that kept on growing, Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Kerala to Assam to Gujarat , name a place where Plantohlics people are not from. Slowly a need was felt – why to use plastics and harmful planters indoor while and in our daily life when we are planting trees and creating gardens for fresh air.  
 
Plantohlics store was created 2024 for Eco-friendly garden products, lifestyle products, garden kit for children, eco-friendly return gifts. Bamboo Cane artists from Asaam, Clay plant kumbhars from Gujarat got conencted to create new style planters for the  new-age people 

Plantohlics Mobile App in making  
 
While interacting with gardeners everyday in last 5 years,  felt the need to stop wasting our plants. Tips, expert help needs to be customised, as per climate, temperature, soil etc. Our garden soil, temperature, water, mood of plants are different . So there is NO one idea fit for all. 

 
Nothing was planned. No money as well. No funding in picture. Plantohlics is an initiative just to connect good people. To connect seniors and home makers and professionals and exchange good vibes through gardening. In real sense gardening talks kept inspiring thousands, be it Colonel Devendra Singh from Lucknow who grows Adeniums or Bakul Ojha – a senior citizen who started gardening watching others when he lost his wife.  
 
 
Plants are like raising kids where every kid is different. There is no Rule book other than the basics.  
 
I have grown vegetables to folliages at window sills and balconies in Navi Mumbai apartment. My journey of plant love dates back to childhood days spent at Agartala – a nature’s nest Tripura, one of the less known state of North Eastern India. My father who loved gardening and practiced post his retirement days. A very good way to stay connected with nature while he had hearing problems. 
 
I make sure to promote gardening as an EASY way. No grammar to be maintained, just right water, soil, sunlight and trial-error. What is the point to get stress on gardening too, better we learn a fun way and start loving it. Fell in love with the process and no hurries, not going for perfection but keep trying and enjoy the journey. Once we love something, we anyway master it. Together we can definitely make difference, however small step it is !! 
 

After knowing about her, I like many others felt we need to imbibe the passion for nature from her. 

By Jamuna Rangachari