WYOBRASKA - Amanda Cherrington left a basket with a goldfish plant, a succulent, a painted rock, a watering can and some snacks on the porch of a woman who recently had a baby.
It wasn’t a baby shower. She doesn’t know the woman. Cherrington is a plant fairy.
She’s one of more than 700 self-proclaimed plant fairies, joined together by the Facebook group, Wyobraska Plant Fairies.
Its creator, Amy Eisaman, said she drew inspiration from the Booze Fairies group created in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, to spread joy during a stressful and uncertain time.
Eisaman said she liked the idea of sharing plants to get families involved.
“I mean, who doesn’t love plants, right?” Eisaman said. “And we found that there are so many people that don’t do the booze thing, that don’t drink, that can’t drink.”
The group was created about a month ago and has grown quickly, bringing in participants from Western Nebraska as well as Torrington, Lingle, Fort Laramie, Yoder, Hawk Springs and Guernsey. Cherrington, a group admin, oversees these Goshen County towns with Eisaman.
Each month, participants must “fairy” someone in order to be fairied themselves. The process is anonymous, unless, of course, a fairy is caught mid-delivery, according to Cherrington.
Recipients then share photos of their plants, many featuring smiling and curious children poking around nearby. One participant posted a photo of her plant, asking what it is, if it’s dangerous to cats, and how to care for it. Another answered all three of her questions within the hour.
The group consists of both experienced plant owners and “newbies,” according to Eisaman. She collaborated with Kristal Gade of Gering, who runs a plant sell/trade Facebook group, bringing in a variety of members.
“That’s our sister group, so people post all kinds of advice or ask questions,” Eisaman said. “It’s become quite educational. I’ve learned a lot about them, I’m like ‘oh that’s a cool plant, I’d like to have that.’”
The act of giving and receiving plants is a desirable activity in the age of COVID-19, according to Cherrington, not only because it allows for social distancing, but also because it encourages community.
“It shows people you still care about how they’re doing,” Cherrington said. “And who doesn’t enjoy getting a little gift when they don’t know they’re going to?”
For Eisaman, the program is also a way to support local greenhouses.
“I go in there and they’re like, ‘Oh so-and-so was in here saying they need something for the plant fairy,’” Eisaman said.
To participate, area residents can search Wyobraska Plant Fairies, which has sprout and clover emojis at its end. Cherrington said people can join either to add their address to the mix and participate, or to simply look at the baskets or take valuable plant advice from those with green thumbs.
