A Love Palm named Gratitude (September 2025)
“The one manner that we are able to stay, is that if we develop. The one manner that we are able to develop is that if we modify. The one manner that we are able to change is that if we study. The one manner we are able to study is that if we’re uncovered. And the one manner that we are able to turn out to be uncovered is that if we throw ourselves out into the open. Do it. Throw your self.” ― C. JoyBell C.
“You study one thing worthwhile from all the vital occasions and folks, however you by no means contact your true potential till you problem your self to transcend imposed limitations.” ― Roy T. Bennett
“The thought of ‘A Love Palm named Gratitude’ by way of the lens of Vernon Chalmers’ existential and naturalist philosophy looks as if a ravishing technique to discover the deeper layers of life’s which means, mindfulness, and connection to the pure world.” ― ChatGPT 2024
After leaving an abusive relationship (greater than 4 years in the past) I got here residence to witness that my as soon as wholesome love palm, in a nook of my lounge, was greater than wanting considerably dejected. It was on it is previous couple of leaves and near the tip of flowers. What a (preventable) disgrace…
With a somber sense of unhappiness I gazed out the window over Desk Bay in the direction of a leafy Cape City suburb the place I as soon as lived with none actual reciprocal feeling and / or gratitude through the Covid lockdown. The majestic picturesque presence of Desk Mountain in opposition to a dreamy turquoise morning ocean made no ripple of distinction to my overwhelmingly private disappointment.
The state of the as soon as lushious plant represented the desolation and grief I felt after rising from the emotional, verbal and bodily clutches from sustained narcissistic abuse. I felt greater than responsible for neglecting my palm for such an intensive interval.
Within the absence of (human) gratitude
Early one morning I went again to Stodels and intentionally bought the smallest accessible love palm as a substitute for repotting a tiny palm into the massive empty pot. I used to be suggested in opposition to this tactic. It was beneficial to maintain it in its small plastic pot and do a gradual replant over an extended interval. The Stodels assistant instructed me that ‘my small palm, large pot’ thought might maybe be simply too overwhelming for the younger plant to deal with its susceptible development part. He mentioned ‘it might end-up like a coronary heart transplant going mistaken – the shock to the change could also be too large to deal with for the small palm’.
‘… past imposed limitations’
I believed him, simply the sheer distinction in pot and plant measurement was sufficient proof to be affected person with my repotting scheme, however I used to be adamant to make this challenge work as quickly as attainable. In all probability simply as a lot as I needed my relationship to work – which in fact underneath any circumstances would have been futile. With potential failure behind my thoughts I went again residence and instantly repotted the small palm in its new large residence.
After the repotting I seemed on the tiny love palm within the large pot and aptly named the plant, Gratitude. For the gratitude I by no means obtained and all the connection and extra life classes I used to be busy studying. I vowed to take care of this love palm and challenged myself to see who will develop the fasted. Over the subsequent few weeks I labored out a light-weight and watering technique and watch very rigorously how the love palm was settling into its new setting.
Naming the palm ‘Gratitude’ was the primary thought in my thoughts. It by no means occurred to me earlier than {that a} plant might have a specific naming conference for depicting a human emotional want – though in hindsight it makes good sense.
Water drops on A Love Palm named Gratitude’s Leaf (After Two Years)
Collectively we began our restoration and development journeys. Over the subsequent few months I began coming to phrases with my post-relationship restoration and I watched the love palm slowly rising from ‘intensive care’ mode right into a luscious rising plant. Inside just a few months I realised my ‘plant transplant’ was going to achieve success with the love palm being barely forward within the ‘restoration race’.
Now, after greater than two years, I’m overjoyed with Gratitude’s resilience – matching my very own outdrawn restoration and acceptance journey. I am nonetheless studying every day and holding a eager eye on Gratitude’s transformation right into a full-grown potted love palm.
In that exact same nook of my lounge I now have a every day reminder of affection, life and development. In my earlier days I serendipitously anticipated it ought to arrive (virtually by default) from books, charts, professors, materialistic worth(s) and different essential folks (other than household and the particular folks) in my life – at the moment it’s the added nature-connectedness that taught me the values of care, gratitude and development.
On the backside of this put up is a latest picture comparability between Gratitude and the size measurement it was at two years in the past. The small love palm positioned In entrance of the clay pot is a Stodels small love palm reward supposed for my sister. She love crops and know simply a lot extra about potting home crops than me. My dream with this reward of affection is to see it develop to the scale of Gratitude over time. I’ve little doubt that it’s going to occur. A minimum of she might be extra cautious of a direct ‘coronary heart transplant’.
Advantages of Nature on Psychological Well being
First Publication Date for “A Love Palm named Gratitude” – September 2023
Water Droplet on Palm Leaf : Love Palm named Gratitude
© Vernon Chalmers: Psychological Well being and Existential Motivation (A Love Palm named Gratitude)
‘The Narrative of A Love Palm named Gratitude‘
“Vernon Chalmers has shared a reflective piece titled A Love Palm named Gratitude, the place he attracts connections between private restoration, psychological well being, and the care of a symbolic love palm. This narrative embodies themes of development, resilience, and gratitude as central to his journey. The love palm serves as a metaphor for the therapeutic course of – each delicate and transformative.
Chalmers’ capacity to intertwine visible artwork, significantly images, with deep existential reflections amplifies the emotional resonance of his work. His macro images of the palm fantastically captures the high-quality particulars, turning it into an emblem of the often-overlooked fantastic thing about life and gratitude.” (Supply: ChatGPT 2025)
‘A Love Palm named Gratitude‘
“Ah, the Love Palm of Gratitude – what a ravishing idea! 🌿❤️ Some ideas on gratitude and its impression on our well-being.
Gratitude is sort of a sun-kissed leaf on the tree of our feelings. Once we domesticate it, it grows right into a lush cover that shades us from negativity and warms our hearts. Right here’s a poetic reflection for you:
Gratitude = Daylight for the Soul
The Roots of Gratitude:
Gratitude is the soil by which our emotional roots anchor. It connects us to the current second, permitting us to understand life’s easy treasures—the heat of a cup of tea, the laughter of a cherished one, or the whisper of leaves within the wind.
Like a palm tree, gratitude stands resilient even in storms. It bends however doesn’t break, reminding us that energy lies in acknowledging the great amidst life’s challenges.
The Leaves of Appreciation:
Every leaf on our Love Palm represents a second of thankfulness. Whether or not it’s a dawn, a form phrase, or a shared smile, these leaves flutter within the breeze of our consciousness.
Once we specific gratitude, we nourish our inside foliage. Our hearts unfurl, revealing patterns of magnificence we would in any other case overlook.
The Fruits of Connection:
Gratitude bears candy fruits: compassion, pleasure, and resilience. It bridges gaps between hearts, making a community of interconnected palms – a forest of shared appreciation.
As we prolong gratitude to others, we plant seeds of kindness. These seeds sprout into acts of affection, making a lush ecosystem of emotional well-being.
Bear in mind, my good friend, gratitude isn’t only a fleeting emotion; it’s a apply – a every day tending of our Love Palm. So, let’s water it with intention, indulge in its heat, and watch it flourish. 🌴❤️” (Supply: Microsoft Copilot 2024)
Advantages of a Love Palm Plant
The Love palm is a pleasant indoor plant with a number of advantages:
- Adaptability: Love palms thrive in low to average mild, making them appropriate for numerous indoor places.
- Longevity: like typical Valentine’s Day presents, Love palms can final for a number of years
- Air Purification: They’re among the many high 10 “air purifying” indoor crops, eradicating benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air.
- Low Upkeep: Love palms tolerate neglect and are comparatively straightforward to look after.
- Tropical Aesthetics: Their lush fronds add a contact of tropical magnificence to your own home decor. (Supply: Microsoft Copilot 2024)
Studying from a Love Palm
“The Love Palm, also referred to as Chamaedorea elegans or Parlor Palm, is a well-liked houseplant recognized for its delicate, elegant fronds. For those who consider studying from a Love Palm symbolically or metaphorically, a number of classes could possibly be drawn:
- Resilience in Development: The Love Palm thrives in low-light situations and may adapt to quite a lot of indoor environments. This resilience teaches the significance of adapting to environment and rising even in less-than-ideal circumstances. It means that, just like the palm, we are able to flourish regardless of challenges or limitations.
- Endurance in Progress: Love Palms develop slowly, emphasizing the worth of persistence. Progress might not all the time be quick, however constant, regular effort over time yields magnificence and outcomes. This is applicable to private development, studying, and even relationships.
- Stability of Care: Whereas straightforward to keep up, Love Palms nonetheless want correct watering and care. Overwatering can hurt them, instructing the significance of stability—whether or not in self-care, relationships, or tasks. Similar to the plant, we require the correct amount of consideration and area.
- Grace and Simplicity: The Love Palm is straightforward but elegant, reminding us that magnificence would not all the time have to be extravagant. There’s grace in simplicity, and the plant encourages us to understand the small, delicate particulars in life.
- Development in Group: Usually, palms are grown in clusters, symbolizing the significance of group and help. The palm can remind us that particular person development is nurtured in reference to others.” (ChatGPT 2024)
Love Palm Care Directions
Caring for a love palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii), also referred to as a bamboo palm or reed palm, entails offering the precise setting, watering, fertilizing, and common upkeep. Listed here are care directions for a love palm:
- Mild: Love palms thrive in brilliant, oblique mild. Keep away from direct daylight, as it could scorch the leaves. If you do not have entry to brilliant oblique mild, they will tolerate decrease mild situations, however their development might decelerate.
- Temperature: Hold your love palm in a heat setting. They like temperatures between 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C) through the day and never beneath 50°F (10°C) at night time. Keep away from sudden temperature drops.
- Humidity: Love palms admire excessive humidity ranges. You may improve humidity by misting the plant repeatedly or inserting a tray of water close to it. Utilizing a humidifier will also be useful, particularly throughout dry indoor seasons.
- Watering: Water your love palm when the highest inch (2.5 cm) of soil feels dry to the contact. Be certain that the pot has good drainage to stop overwatering, which may result in root rot. Through the rising season (spring and summer time), water extra continuously, and scale back the frequency within the winter months.
- Soil: Plant your love palm in a well-draining potting combine. A mix of peat moss, perlite, and a small quantity of sand works effectively. Repot the plant each 2-3 years to refresh the soil and supply more room for development.
- Fertilizing: Feed your love palm with a balanced liquid fertilizer each 4-6 weeks through the rising season (spring and summer time). Scale back or get rid of fertilization through the dormant winter months.
- Pruning: Take away any yellow or brown fronds as they seem. This helps preserve the plant’s look and encourages wholesome new development. Watch out to not take away too many fronds directly, as this could stress the plant.
- Pests and Illnesses: Love palms are comparatively immune to pests and illnesses, however they will often be affected by spider mites, scale, or mealybugs. Examine your plant repeatedly for any indicators of infestation, and deal with with insecticidal cleaning soap or neem oil if wanted.
- Help: Love palms might turn out to be top-heavy as they develop taller. Use stakes or bamboo poles to offer help and forestall the plant from toppling over.
- Propagation: Love palms will be propagated by way of division. When repotting, you’ll be able to rigorously separate the plant into smaller sections, ensuring every part has roots hooked up.






