Start or end your story with a person buying a house plant.

Posted in Fluff on Oct 25, 2022

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✍️ 63 stories

“Damaged Rootz” by Asia The Writer

Submitted to Contest #143

I bought a plant today. I sat it right there in her spot. The sun beamed down on the lavender chair near the window, and the television. The sun always shined on her, even when it was dark. This plant reminded me of her. Earthy, sturdy, beautiful, and firm. The opposite of me. I envied her, even though she loved me. How could she love me? How? That is what I would ask myself. Over and over and over again, each day I saw her face. Her smile was bright, teeth were perfect, and the world loved her. The world never noticed me, so how could she? ...

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“One Day at a Time” by Kathleen Fine

Submitted to Contest #143

“Excuse me, Ma’am, can you help me?” Errol asked the woman wearing a green vest, indicating she was an employee at Spinney’s Gardens. Minutes ago, he had approached two different men asking for help, who were quick to tell him that they did not work there. He was still flushed in mortification from the awkward interactions.The woman turned from watering purple flowers with a hose and faced Errol, a bead of sweat trickling down her cheek. “Yes, sir?” she asked, wiping her forehead with the back of her gloved hand. Errol could smell the scent ...

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“The House Plant” by Clinton Ernest Murphy

Submitted to Contest #143

I clutched a decorative flowerpot, cheap plastic bird feeder, and small bag of birdseed against my light gray three-piece suit. On a whim after work, I’d driven to Shaunders' Warehouse to purchase a house plant. My girlfriend, Alyssa, was always harping on me about the importance of having indoor plants to create a more “inviting environment” in my otherwise “sterile décor.” I didn’t mean to pick out bland colored furniture; it was just what caught my eye. Her delicate voice echoed in my memory. “It’ll give a little color to the dentist offi...

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“Muriel Stanley Buys a Succulent” by Story Time

Submitted to Contest #143

She loved saying the name. Echeveria. The scientific name being Echeveria elegans. It sounded like the name of a drag queen. Now coming to the stage to perform “Stand Back” by Stevie Nicks, Miss Echeveria Elegans! Muriel Stanley had heard succulents were difficult to kill, and so she purchased one at the supermarket. When she brought the little plant to the express check-out, the cashier remarked that her cousin loves plants. The cousin’s name was Steve and he no longer comes over for Christmas, because he’s invested in online cons...

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“Thumb Of Death” by Jules Davis

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #143

My eyes shifted between the two potted plants. Both of them beckoned me, teased me, and dared me to buy them. I know they are betting on my failure to keep them alive; but alas, this will be the plant that will thrive under my thumb! Notice, I did not say Green Thumb, as so many plant enthusiasts have. Nope, that is something I do not possess. I have owned exactly 232 plants since I was born. I’ve received one for each birthday, thirteen were given to me as house warming presents, some I bought on a whim, and the rest had the unfortunate luc...

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“Peace Lily” by Suma Jayachandar

Submitted to Contest #143

“A spider plant,” Ma said when she picked me up from school.I was disappointed. Kyra and I had been neighbours since kindergarten. And she had left me a plant! Not a pirate headband or a video game or at least one of the many treasures we had dug out together. That too some…“What plant ma?”“Spy…der plant.” She drawled as she helped me balance myself on the deck of her scooter.“Spy…der plant! Spaay…der plant! SPUDRR plant!!” I rolled the sound of it in my mouth as Ma cruised along the curvy road.“Will you please be quiet and let me ride peace...

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“Snake Plant” by Annalisa D.

Submitted to Contest #143

I lost my best friend to war. I'm only twenty years old and my best friend died. That feels like all anyone needs to know about me, because since the day I heard the news, it's consumed everything. I miss him. Never got to tell him how much he meant to me. Never said goodbye. The best I can do is visit the memorial in the park, which I do every night. Always at midnight so I'll be alone surrounded by the dark trees whose branches, like twisted ghoul hands, stretch out towards me.Tonight I see the shadow of a man, silhouetted by the orange gl...

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“You're an Idiot” by Christopher Allen

Submitted to Contest #143

You’re an Idiot Circling the display of brightly coloured orchids and tulips, Danny ponders his options. His friend Thomas anxiously checks his watch and suggests the pink ones. “I don’t know. Pink?” Danny picks up the flower and inspects it carefully before putting it back. “It’s not right. I need a colour that says: I’m happy you’ve moved on. Congrats on the new house but, I hope it’s haunted.” “So, maybe yellow?” Thomas suggests impatiently. “Dude, I don’t get why you’re even going. Kathy only invited you out of social etiquette.” ...

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“Crown of Thorns” by Jeannette Miller

Submitted to Contest #143

Jan wanted so much to be a plant person as she walked the aisle of the local plant shop. Row after row of lush green house plants in all shapes and sizes. There were two tone plants that purified the air, plants for beginners, low light plants, plants who need water every day, low maintenance plants, and trendy plants. It was like a tropical jungle in here between the big leaf palms, cascading ivy’s, and big bushy ferns. So much life. It was calming. Something about having a healthy house plant elevated a person from cold and uncaring to mo...

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“Obvious Plants” by Cindy Strube

Submitted to Contest #143

Obvious Plants“I need a plant!” The meticulously dressed, fiftyish woman leaned over the counter and spoke in a low murmur.Lily smiled encouragingly. Sometimes the first visit was a little disconcerting.“Well, as you can see,” she indicated, waving her arm, “we’re all about plants here.” She waited.“I’ve been told this is the place — ” the woman’s voice dropped further, to an almost inaudible but urgent whisper, “to obtain a ‘plant’.” As she mouthed the last word, she brought her hands discreetly in front of herself and wiggled her...

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“Ms. Glen's Garden ” by Ashlynn Altman

Submitted to Contest #143

Community service sucks. Community service sucks even more when you're sixteen and this was supposed to be your spring break. Community service sucks, even more, when you're assigned to slaving away in some random old woman's garden all day while your friends get to do things like chill out on the beach and stay up all night. But the part that sucks the most? Knowing I'm only having to do it because of my own mother, to begin with. Apparently, I smoke too much for her to handle anymore (which I think is a little bit dramatic, but whatever). ...

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“Happiness comes in Fiddles” by Carla Carvallo

Submitted to Contest #143

You feel like you’re drowning on dry land. You try to push past that growing lump in your throat, the pain that wraps around your voice box and expands like a disease. It takes and it demands and it knocks the breath out of you. The tears collect within your eye socket like a flood waiting to break free. You’ve been here before. Like a door, your eyes slam shut. You try to reject this, this thing labeled attack and breakdown and you choose to put no labels on it. You force yourself to break out of th...

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“Leaf.” by Jesper Jee

Submitted to Contest #143

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been alone.Actually, that’s not entirely true; There’s always been others near me, several in fact. But I had always felt - alone.Don’t know if it’s just baseless paranoia or if there was something to all those whispers and rustlings around me. Maybe not. Maybe it’s just me.I never really gave much thought about what kind of person would bring home a houseplant. An ambitious botanist looking for a cure to some awful disease? A supervillan looking to procure some poison? Perhaps some stoner wanting to add s...

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“Cup of Tea” by Cajek Veilwinter

Submitted to Contest #143

Selthia set the little potted plant on the counter and looked up into the eyes of the bear in an apron. Behind the giant carnivore were a myriad of plants on dusty shelves, their leaves and vines covering the old wooden walls and obscuring the dirty windows. “Is that all, Razia?” The bear asked, her voice low but not threatening. It took Selthia a moment to realize she was being spoken to. “O-Oh, yes, that’s all Honeytree,” she said courteously. “That’ll be one copper.” “I believe I can afford that,” the little dusk-colored vixen sai...

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“Devil’s Ivy” by Lily Saylor

Submitted to Contest #143

The plant sat dormant on Oliver’s doorstep for three days until he reluctantly brought it inside. At its arrival, he had chalked it up to be a simple error with a delivery driver. People mistakenly drop off packages at the wrong address frequently, so he naturally assumed an annoyed neighbor would be around to collect it after a day or two. When no annoyed neighbor had come his way, Oliver began to consider the possibility that a friend of his had dropped it off at his door as a kind gesture. A gift, perhaps. This thought was quickly ...

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Start or end your story with a person buying a house plant.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 63 stories

“Damaged Rootz” by Asia The Writer

“One Day at a Time” by Kathleen Fine

“The House Plant” by Clinton Ernest Murphy

“Muriel Stanley Buys a Succulent” by Story Time

“Thumb Of Death” by Jules Davis

“Peace Lily” by Suma Jayachandar

“Snake Plant” by Annalisa D.

“You're an Idiot” by Christopher Allen

“Crown of Thorns” by Jeannette Miller

“Obvious Plants” by Cindy Strube

“Ms. Glen's Garden ” by Ashlynn Altman

“Happiness comes in Fiddles” by Carla Carvallo

“Leaf.” by Jesper Jee

“Cup of Tea” by Cajek Veilwinter

“Devil’s Ivy” by Lily Saylor

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story in the woods or on a campground.

Write about a character who loves cloud gazing.

Write about a trip to see a natural sight that’s usually only ever seen in photos.

Write a story involving a friendship between two different species.

Contest #143

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

254

Contest entries

139

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: