Mouth of the River

     I’ve always been a terrible plant parent. So bad, I’ve managed to kill even some of the most resilient plants, including a cactus. I really love the idea of keeping plants, I’m just so bad at it that sometimes it doesn’t feel worth it. I’m jealous of the people who have always been gifted at raising plants, and I wanted to know the secret.  

     Everyone has probably wanted or tried to raise plants at one point or another, but few people have taken this role of plant parent to the next level. Walking into these people’s houses might feel like entering a forest, but as soon as you’re in the space you feel relaxed and at home. Some of these plant carers have even taken a step up to spread the joy of plants around the school and their community.  

     James Oshima (‘24), Oyster River High School (ORHS)’s current primary plant caretaker, hasn’t always been skilled in caring for plants. “When I was in seventh grade, I really wanted a plant, so I went to [Wentworth Greenhouse] and got this fan plant and then it died because I forgot to take care of it so then I gave up for a while. Then, during the pandemic […] I took these cuttings from one of my mom’s plants and put them into pots and I still have them in my room.”    

     Last year, Oshima and Adam Lacasse, a teacher at ORHS, saw the benefits of caring for plants and decided they wanted to share them with the rest of the school. That’s when they started a project where they organized hundreds of plants to spread all around ORHS.   

     Oshima thinks Project Plants is a good way to keep up morale within the school. “I think it’s really nice because you are caring for something that’s not like a dog. […] It doesn’t come with all the complications but you’re still keeping something alive, something is still relying on you and that gives you a sense of purpose and being.”  

     Plants can be a metaphor for life, thinks Madeline Healey (‘25), who’s been caring for plants since she was old enough. “I think plants are just another reminder and representation of how if you put effort into something and you take care of it and you care about it, it can blossom and turn into something wonderful.”  

     Lacasse explains what they plan to do with the dozens of plants still being stored in his classroom. “We’re going to keep on growing them. The idea here is to eventually have the stairway windows all have flower boxes in them to bring that element to our school.”  

    Oshima was hoping Project Plants would connect people within the school. “I intended it to connect advisories because it’s like you have that social aspect of ‘Ok, we’re all taking care of this thing.’ It’s like a class pet except it’s not going to die and there won’t be a dead hamster in the classroom one day.”  

     So why take care of plants? Believe it or not, caring for plants can improve many aspects of mental and physical health. According to the Healthline article “A Hobby for All Seasons,” a study found that “working with plants could reduce both physiological and psychological stress.” Along with these benefits, being in the presence of plants can increase attention span, improve air quality, and can increase recovery speed from illnesses.  

     Many plant parents, like Lacasse who began taking care of plants during COVID, have seen these effects. “I started researching more about plants and found out that people who are surrounded by plants typically have a greater degree of positive mental health.”  

     Oshima has also researched some of the benefits of keeping plants and has a theory on why it’s so good for you. “Plants specifically are really good for your mental health because we developed near nature, so we are designed to need to be around plants. When you’re near a plant or looking at green things, it makes you happier.”  

     Because of this, plants can also improve the atmosphere of any room. “Plants elevate any space that they’re in, because it brings in nature. It feels a lot more cozy,” says Healey.  

     The coziest places are typically filled with plants on every wall, but plants can cost a lot of money. That’s why these plant parents have learned how to propagate and reproduce plants on their own! “It’s one of those things where you can go out and buy a bunch of plants, but that’s kind of expensive, so I’ve learned how to propagate them and how to make plants from plants,” says Lacasse.  

     Caring for plants sounds fun, but where do you start? Oshima suggests getting a philodendron. “They’re so hard to kill.” A philodendron he likes to call his “plant son” was the first plant he got that he’s still keeping alive today.  

     Healey has always enjoyed caring for pothos plants and suggests them for beginners.  

     Stepping into Lacasse’s classroom you’ll see rows of long wiry plants and big bushy plants with purple leaves. These are spider plants and wandering dudes, and they are the two plants Lacasse recommends to someone just getting into plant care. His other tip is to never overwater your plants, because that can lead to root rot and other damage. “I think that’s one of the number one reasons plants die is people just water them and water them. These ones [spider plants and wandering dudes] I like because if you underwater them, it’s actually not that bad.”  

     My underqualified opinion for new plant parents is something easy like a Christmas cactus. I’ve had a Christmas cactus in my bedroom for several years and there have been months that I’ve entirely forgotten about it, and it’s still thriving!  

     Oshima has enjoyed his time as primary plant caretaker at ORHS, but as a senior he’s looking for new hands to take on the role. “I think it’s a really good project for a student to have because it really helped me connect with the rest of the school.” If you’re interested in taking up the role, email Oshima at 24oshij@orcsd.org.  

     The benefits of caring for plants are huge, and have been discovered by many people within the community. If you’re looking to try something new that can give you a sense of pride and accomplishment, why not get a plant? 

– Micah Bessette