The hardiness of plants – an inspiration of hope

I bought my first plant a few years ago, and since then have been into houseplants.

At the beginning, I thought they were fragile, and needed careful handling and constant love to thrive.

I now know that plants are quite hardy. Unless they reach the point of no return, where their roots are damaged or rotting, they can usually be saved. A plant I’ve thought lost would suprise me with a new leaf.

In extreme cases, I’d learnt that cutting off the whole plant at the base is the only way to save it. Months would go by, where I’d be watering a stump in a pot. Then one day a little leaf bud would emerge, which would eventually become a new plant.

While I don’t fully understand plant biology, I choose to take inspiration from it. Even when they appear close to dying, they’re still fighting to survive. That being cut down or hitting rockbottom is the first step towards something better.

To continue hoping in spite of it all.

What inspires you to hope? Or have you needed to return to your roots and grow again? We want to hear from you.

Submissions to the 2026 anthology are due 31st of July.