Since starting my job in June 2020 as an illustrator and designer for the Los Angeles Times, I’ve made more than 40 plant memes for our plants Instagram account, @latimesplants.
My main motivator for doing anything creative is to be able to have fun and ultimately make myself and hopefully others laugh along the way. I’ve never been an awfully serious person and I never hope to be, so I’m thankful I’ve found work that aligns with my ambition to joke through life.
Here’s a look back at some of our favorite plant memes of the year.
Where it all started. The first plant meme. A personal favorite.
The alternative caption for this was “Is it just plantasy?” Punny, right?
Delight the gardening fans in your life with our plants gift guide featuring clogs, gloves, planters, and other helpful resources.
Ready for hot plant summer. 2020 would have been the summer of our discontent if it weren’t for Megan and hot girls around the world.
I feel like in a lot of ways plants and people are pretty similar: We both need some time in the sun, have to drink water regularly and need room for growth. This comic was a sort of personal reminder.
Sometimes I rack my brain for plant puns and other times they’re delivered to me on a silver platter. Shout-out to every plant with an easily pun-able name. You’re all the true MVPs.
Are you more of a Moss or a Rachel? I’ve actually never seen “Friends” but I couldn’t pass up the pun opportunity. I’m more of a “How I Met Your Monstera” kinda guy.
Black Raven ZZ plants for Aquarius. Fiddle-leaf figs for Taurus. How to pair houseplants with your sun sign.
Danny’s latest role, coming to a lawn near you. Most of my plant-celeb memes are essentially fan art. I wanted to pay my respects to national treasure Danny DeVito.
When I drew this, I had just picked up the practice of listening to podcasts during work — a truly transformative experience that I had to document.
This was my favorite piece from a short series on illustrated native plants in California.
Download these holiday patterns made by local artists and bring joy to meetings everywhere by putting them behind your head while you Zoom.
I was surprised my editors let this one get posted — but to be fair the first version didn’t say “aerated.” I may or may not have an ongoing personal quest to sneak curse words by the editors.
I’m exposing myself again, but I’ve never seen “Game of Thrones” either. I couldn’t pass up the easy pun opportunity, though.
“We love Mac DeBarko even if his music is a lil sappy.” Another fan art piece.
“When that special person texts you back.” Full disclosure: I was going through it when I made this one. This meme had a pretty good audience reception and I had a moment of realization: “A lot of people were going through it, dang” — lol, I hope we’re all drinking water.
The moisture from showers and sinks can create an ideal climate for moisture-loving houseplants.
“Things are heating up on this week’s episode of ‘Real Houseplants!’” I was pretty starved for iillustration ideas and someone else on the plant team suggested I do “Real Housewife” memes. That’s lightning in a bottle.
@lilyachty otherwise known as Lil’ pot.
Questlove’s in the houseplant! What are your plants listening to today? I was upset I didn’t make this joke sooner.
It’s a Diana Moss & the Sprucepremes kind of day. Another shout-out to every easily pun-able plant name.
With great flowers comes great responsibility. Do you think I’d only make ONE spider plant meme?
Things plant lovers do in their spare time.
No.
Now I HAVE seen “Breaking Bad”!
We’re thankful for our plant dinner guests this year.
I ain’t never seen two healthy houseplants.
I wonder if my houseplants get jealous of my Christmas tree. (They let me say hell! :) )
A.k.a. watching TikToks and following plant influencers on Instagram.
Thanks for enjoying all the dumb jokes about plants I’ve made this year. For more memes in the future follow @latimesplants on Instagram.
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