When plants cry…not at all like Prince’s When Doves Cry…

I was beyond ecstatic when my mini-Monstera began to unfurl the first new leaf since I brought her home. When I checked on her progress this morning, I noticed that she appeared to be crying.

Why so sad, baby girl?

I try to do everything to make her happy and healthy; water, fertilizer, the right amount of sun, and I adorned her with a beautiful, thrifted Satsuma pot.

This tear looks like it’s coming from her alien-eye, the classic Monstera fenestration.

They’re not tears of sadness nor joy; they’re actually due to a process called guttation.

Guttation is a mixture of xylem and phloem fluid, which contains sugars and other chemicals produced in the leaves that are exuded overnight by the plant.

Guttation is one way houseplants attempt to regulate their growing conditions. This response can occur when a plant has been overwatered or under stress, or the plant could be perfectly fine and want to balance its nutrients or minerals.

Aren’t plants SO smart?

I confess that sometimes I love my plants too much, as in too much watering, and I hope this isn’t the reason because I adore this new leaf baby and her brothers and sisters love her, too.

Don’t shed any more tears, little one! I promise to try and not love you to death!