PLANT BLINDNESS AND THE SELF

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james tucker 



Let’s be honest: most of us walk past plants every day without even noticing them. Sure, we might appreciate a well-kept garden or stop for an obligatory Instagram shot of a cool tree, but when was the last time you really saw a plant? If your answer is “uh, never?” you’re not alone. This phenomenon has a name—plant blindness—and it’s more common than you think.

Plant blindness is basically our brain’s way of tuning out the greenery around us, treating plants as nothing more than background noise. In our busy, tech-heavy lives, it’s easy to ignore plants while we’re hyper-focused on our phones, stress, or whatever else is fighting for our attention. But here’s the thing: learning to pay attention to plants doesn’t just make you more aware of nature—it can actually help you grow as a person. Seriously. By breaking out of this plant-blind mindset, you can develop mindfulness, empathy, patience, and maybe even a better connection with yourself.

So What Exactly is Plant Blindness?

The term "plant blindness" was coined in the la te '90s by two scientists, James Wandersee and Elisabeth Schussler. It’s the idea that people tend to overlook plants in their environment or, at best, see them as nothing more than decoration. Even though plants make up the vast majority of life on Earth and are literally responsible for the air we breathe, they often don’t get the attention they deserve. And it’s not entirely your fault—our brains are wired to pay more attention to things that move (like animals or other people), especially when we’re thinking in terms of survival.

On top of that, our education system puts way more emphasis on animals than plants. Ask someone to name ten animals, and they’ll probably rattle them off in seconds. Ask them to name ten plants, and suddenly it’s a challenge.

But why does this matter? Well, when we’re blind to the plant world, we miss out on not just ecological awareness, but also the chance to develop qualities that can help us grow as individuals.

How Noticing Plants Can Make You a Better Person

1. Mindfulness (But Make it Nature-Inspired)

We’ve all heard about mindfulness, right? It’s about being present, noticing the details, and slowing down in a world that’s always rushing. And while mindfulness can take many forms, connecting with nature—especially plants—can be a super accessible way to practice it.

Next time you’re outside, try actually noticing the plants around you. Look at the shapes of the leaves, the colors of the flowers, the patterns in the bark. This isn’t just about getting in touch with nature (though that’s part of it). It’s about training your brain to stop running on autopilot and actually see what’s around you. Noticing plants can help you slow down, de-stress, and pay attention to the little things that often go unnoticed in our daily grind.

2. Empathy (Yes, Even for Plants)

If you’ve ever felt like plants are just passive, boring beings that sit there doing nothing, think again. Plants are actually pretty dynamic. They respond to their environment, communicate with each other through root systems, and adapt to survive in harsh conditions. Getting to know plants can be weirdly eye-opening in the way you start to empathize with them—and by extension, everything else.

Learning about the resilience and adaptability of plants can inspire empathy not just toward nature, but also toward people. Once you start noticing that plants have their own form of struggle and survival, you might start thinking differently about how you relate to other living beings. And empathy? That’s always a good trait to flex, whether it’s toward your roommate, your barista, or, yes, even a houseplant.

3. Reconnect with Nature (No, You Don’t Have to Be a Hippie)

For most of us, life is a series of screens, concrete, and deadlines. But when you actually step outside and engage with nature, you realize how disconnected you’ve been. Reconnecting with plants is like remembering that you’re part of something bigger than the city skyline or your latest notification. It gives you perspective.

Spending time around plants—whether it’s a walk in the park, tending a little windowsill garden, or just hanging out under a tree—can be grounding. And feeling grounded is essential for navigating the chaos of life. Plus, there’s legit science that shows being in nature helps with stress, anxiety, and even creativity. Think of plants as your free therapy session (minus the couch).

4. Learning Patience (Because We All Need More of That)

Here’s the thing about plants—they grow slow. Like, really slow. They don’t rush, they don’t multitask, they just do their thing over time. Watching a plant grow can teach you a lot about patience, something most of us struggle with. Personal growth is a lot like plant growth—incremental and often frustratingly slow.

Whether you’re trying to build a new habit, recover from a setback, or just figure your life out, plants remind you that growth doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, care, and the right conditions. And hey, if a little seed can turn into a giant tree, you can handle whatever life is throwing at you.
                                  

The Bottom Line: Stop Ignoring Plants, Start Growing

Plant blindness isn’t just about missing out on some cool greenery—it’s a metaphor for how we go through life on autopilot, missing the details and failing to connect with the world around us. But when you start to notice plants, you start to notice yourself too.

So, the next time you’re outside, take a moment to really see the plants around you. You might be surprised how much they have to teach you about slowing down, paying attention, and becoming a better version of yourself. Plus, let’s be real: adding a few more houseplants to your space is never a bad idea.