Over the weekend, I spent my time engaged in one one my favorite hobbies, plants. I have a small collection of houseplants as well as a small garden. Over the years, the plants come and go, but recently both of my gardens have taken off. While repotting, I began thinking of some of my recent reads. This led to me comparing my reads to some of the plants I have owned. The next thing you know, I have a whole list of classic novels and the plants they would be. So if you are looking for some new plants to throw in your library, look no further. Here is the Umbra Ex Libris plant guide to classic literature.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice is the classic love story. Through both trials and tribulations, the Bennet daughters fight to find true love’s match, while struggling with the societal norms of the time. Despite being first published in 1813, the daughters remain relatable. For these reasons, the plant most likely to represent pride and prejudice would be a Moth Orchid.
Moth orchids are difficult to care for, but once you learn the techniques to manage and care for them, they can bloom up to three times a year. Much like the love shared in this novel, if the plant is not receiving proper care, the leaves will inform you by shriveling and wilting. To keep this plant happy, keep the top inch of soil moist, but in times of drought, submerge the pot in water for 15 minutes and let drain. These flowers are as classic as this love story and require care and patience as most real life love stories do as well.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This classic tells the story of racism and discrimination through the eyes of a young child. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout witnesses and learns first hand how hateful and loving people can coexist in one neighborhood. Scout learns many valuable lessons, one of which teaches her that sometimes things are not always what they seem. There are many plants that could represent this novel, but the best one would have to be a Maranta.
Maranta, also known as a prayer plant, are moderately difficult to care for. They enjoy a humid environment, or a daily misting. The unique property of maranta is their folding leaves. Each day, the leaves will bow down but by the time the sun sets, they will close up like hands in prayer. This allows the owner to see the bright green top side as well as the red velvet underside. My first time owning a prayer plant, I thought it was wilting on me, little did I know it would bounce back up in day’s time. They are resilient like Jem, mindful like Atticus, and a little unpredictable like our favorite Scout.
Brave New World By Adolf Huxley
This sci-fi classic takes us into the future where everyone behaves the same. From a young age, the people in Brave New World, have all individual emotions and individuality conditioned out. When Benard Marx, a psychologist who does not confine to the standards of the World State, goes to a “savage” state in New Mexico some big changes ensue. This classic is a must read. It shares the dangers of conformity and what really happens when we wash everyone the same. For these reasons, the plant best fit to represent this novel would be a Pothos.
Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, are a common trailing house plant. They are easy to care for and forgiving to most mistakes. These plants can take over a room if not trimmed back and managed properly. When given extra sun light, the plant can become variegated, displaying streaks of color on it’s leaves. Much like the people of the World State, the pothos conform to its setting, but given the chance it will begin to display unique patterns and personality.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
The Call of the Wild is a classic story about a kidnapped dog, Buck. Buck faces many challenges from abusive owners, harsh environments, aggressive dogs and other wildlife, and companionship. Throughout the coarse of the story, Buck rediscovers his innate skills of the wild. These skills make it hard to bend to a master, but Buck always comes back. Until one day, events occur that leave Buck in the wilderness to live out the rest of his life where he belongs. Buck’s tenacity for the wild as it creeps back into his life brings me to the conclusion this novel would be English Ivy.
English Ivy is difficult to manage. Sometimes it simply won’t take in a home for unknown reasons. Once the ivy has found its setting, it thrives. These plants can cause severe structural damage in the wild due to their ability to climb and attach to almost anything. Much like Buck, English Ivy will grow and grow once its found its place and it won’t let anything get in it’s way.
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
I will be honest with you, I do not like this novel. I have read it twice now, once in high school Spanish class and a second time to cross off a book on my must-read classic poster. Neither time did I love it, but I still think it is something to talk about. Don Quixote tells the story of a man losing his mind on the way to becoming a knight and restoring chivalry. Don Quixote de La Mancha travels along side Sancho Panza embarking on ridiculous journeys that will, at the very least, make you laugh. For these reasons, this 1600’s classic would have to be a Manihot Grahamii.
The Manihot Grahamii, also known as the Hardy Tapioca, is a good house plant with some silly leaves. The leaves resemble windmills, which Don Quixote mistakes as a enemy giants with long arms in one of the many adventures he takes. These plants are relatively easy to care for as long as you avoid overwatering.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
When a plane crashes on a deserted island, young boys must learn to survive. With learning to survive, hierarchies are established. Within those hierarchies, rebellions form. The next thing you know, boys are dying and tragedy is striking. Lord of the Flies brings the wild instincts out of young, civilized men. Because of this, this book would be a Monstera.
Monsteras are jungle plants. When placed in a home, they can quickly overwhelm their space. Without proper maintenance, the leaves and roots will grow without stopping. Much like the young boys in Lord of the Flies, the monstera can live a civilized life, but can quickly grow wild in improper conditions.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Great Expectations tells the story of an orphan boy and his journey to wealth. On his journey, Pip forgets his friends and struggles with his arrogance. Pip teaches the readers the power of self-improvement and ambition. When Pip wants something he does all he can to get it. He expects great things for his future and does all he can to get there. Due to the power of ambition, this book would have to be a Spider Plant.
Spider Plants are very resilient. In fact, I have a spider plant that started out as a pup and has matured to produce five of its own pups. One of those pups has endured attacks from a cat as well as the shattering of multiple pots. Despite all of these tragedies, this plant continues to grow. These plants are easy to care for and will definitely live up to all of your own great expectations.
I hope you found this as fun to read as it was to write. Here are Umbra, we enjoy many things, including plants. However our green thumb has not always been green. Do you need more plant tips or have any do share? What other books should be added to the plant guide? Do you disagree with any of these? Whatever you may think, we hope you found some enjoyment with this.
As always, happy reading!