Gone are the days when friendships were defined by a beautiful bracelet tied around the wrist. While the era of friendship bracelets is almost over and remains etched in our memory, a new trend has tried to revive that nostalgia in a more realistic way, and it seems to be the new way to define friendship with nature as well as people.
Yes, a new trend of placing colorful beads on little plants has turned out to be a viral trend! Read on to learn all about plant beading.
All About Plant Beading
What started as a way to connect with our inner child or swap accessories with friends has evolved into a viral home decor movement. People have already beaded their pets and Christmas trees, but "plant beading" is the latest DIY project to explode across social media.
The Viral Trend
The trend hit high gear after an Instagram post from @pandagrogen showed a creator beading their plant's vines, racking up over 685,000 likes. While some might worry about the plant's health, the comment section took a much more humorous approach to the "risks." "Nooo don't do this!!! it'll love looking so stylish and yearn for more!" one user joked. Others warned that it might "make the other plants jealous." Some followers offered creative upgrades, suggesting "little disco ball/mirrored/sparkly ones that would reflect light."
How to Bead
If you want to try this at home, vine plants like pothos or creeping figs are the best candidates. The process requires a bit of patience and timing. After a new leaf matures, you'll notice an open stretch of vine before the next leaf begins to sprout. This is your window to slide on a bead or two. As the next leaf grows in, it acts as a natural stopper, locking the beads in place. By repeating this every time a new leaf appears, you eventually transform the entire vine into a living friendship bracelet.
Plant Jewelry
There is one catch to this botanical jewelry: it's permanent. Because the leaves grow larger than the holes in the beads, you can't slide them off once they are locked in. The only way to remove them is to prune the plant. Because of this, experts suggest picking colors and styles you will be happy to look at for years. If you aren't ready for that kind of commitment, you can always accessorize with adjustable rings, clip-on earrings, or decorative stakes placed directly in the soil.
The Right Plants
Interestingly, the plants best suited for beading are also some of the hardest to kill. The pothos, for example, is famous for its resilience and only needs a drink about once a week. Since these vines grow in almost any direction, they are perfect for small apartments and shelves. If you've been looking for a low-stakes art project that grows along with you, it might be time to break out the craft kit and give your greenery some sparkle.
