I Got Paid to Pretend My Plants Were My Roommates 🌿🏠💰

Have you ever looked at your houseplants and thought, “You know, you’re basically living with me like a roommate”? If yes, you’re not alone—and believe it or not, some people (like me!) are actually making money from treating plants as if they were human companions.

It sounds bizarre, almost like a social experiment gone wild, but the reality is both hilarious and surprisingly rewarding. In this article, I’ll share the full story of how I got paid to pretend my plants were my roommates, why people are so fascinated by this quirky idea, and how you can even turn your own leafy friends into a fun side hustle.

The Day Plants Became My “Roommates”

It all started as a simple online challenge I stumbled upon. A quirky app was running a campaign where users were asked to post creative content about treating their plants as if they were actual roommates. The concept was ridiculous:

Give them names
Talk to them daily
Document little “roommate conflicts”
Share pictures of your plants doing “normal roommate activities”

At first, I laughed it off. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how funny and oddly relatable it could be. After all, most of us already talk to our plants—so why not take it one step further?

I signed up, and within a few weeks, I was earning actual money just for creating content where my plants acted like housemates.

Naming My Leafy Roommates

Every roommate needs a name, right? Here’s how my plant family got theirs:

Fernanda 🌿 – my giant fern who looked like the mother of the house.
Spike 🌵 – my tiny cactus who had “don’t mess with me” vibes.
Lola 🌸 – my flowering orchid who loved attention (and the camera).
Bob 🍃 – a pothos that I swear was always “lazy” and just trailed everywhere.

Each plant had its own personality, which made it easier to build stories around them. Fernanda was the mom figure, Spike was the grumpy roommate, Lola was the diva, and Bob was the laid-back couch potato.

Creating “Roommate Scenarios”

I didn’t just water them and call it a day. No, no—I leaned fully into the roommate narrative. Some examples of my “content”:

Dinner Arguments 🍲: I’d put a plate of food in front of Fernanda and complain, “Again? You never wash the dishes!”
Movie Nights 🎥: All the plants lined up on the couch with popcorn while I pretended we were binge-watching Netflix.
Cleaning Duty Roster 🧹: I drew up a cleaning schedule and pinned it next to them, joking about who skipped their turn.
Selfies 🤳: I’d take group photos with captions like, “Roomies night in!”

The sillier the scenario, the more engagement it got online. People loved the absurdity of it. Some even started commenting things like, “Your cactus definitely looks like the kind of roommate who steals snacks.”

Why People Love the Idea

At first, I thought it was just me being weird. But as my posts gained traction, I realized why people were so drawn to it:

Relatability – Everyone knows the ups and downs of living with roommates. Translating that to plants made it funny and fresh.
Escapism – In a stressful world, something this silly gives people a break.
Anthropomorphism – We naturally give human traits to pets, toys, and yes—even plants.
Quirkiness – The internet loves “so weird it works” content.

In short, treating plants like roommates wasn’t just comedy—it was comfort.

How the Money Came In

You’re probably wondering: Okay, but how did you actually get paid for this?

Here’s the breakdown:

Sponsored Content 🌐: The app paid small amounts for every creative post I made with my “plant roommates.”
Social Media Buzz 📱: People started following my page just to see updates on Fernanda, Spike, Lola, and Bob. Some brands reached out to collaborate.
Merch Ideas 👕: A friend suggested printing “Fernanda is watching you” on mugs. That’s when I realized even quirky jokes could be monetized.

At first, it was $5 here, $10 there. But after consistent posting, it added up. Not enough to quit my job, but enough to buy new pots, better lighting, and yes—a few too many snacks.

What I Learned from My Plant Roommates

Pretending my plants were my roommates wasn’t just a silly side hustle. It actually taught me a lot:

Consistency pays off – Posting regularly made a difference.
Creativity is currency – The weirder the idea, the more people engage.
Plants respond to attention – Believe it or not, my plants started thriving. Studies show talking to plants can promote growth, and Fernanda looked greener than ever.
Laughter builds community – The comments section became a mini support group of people who also talked to their plants.

Tips If You Want to Try This Too

Thinking of giving your plants a roommate makeover? Here are some easy steps:

Give Them Personalities – Observe your plants and exaggerate their “vibes.”
Create Stories – Document daily life as if they were people.
Use Humor – The sillier, the better. Don’t be afraid to go over the top.
Engage with Followers – Ask your audience questions like, “Which roommate should do the dishes tonight?”
Monetize Slowly – Start with small campaigns, then explore TikTok, Instagram, or even Etsy merch.

The Unexpected Emotional Side

Here’s something I didn’t expect: I actually grew emotionally attached to my “roommate” narrative. Talking to my plants daily gave me structure, especially on tough days when I felt lonely.

In a way, pretending they were my roommates made me feel less alone in my apartment. And based on the comments I received, I wasn’t the only one. Many followers admitted they already talked to their plants in secret—it just wasn’t something they felt comfortable sharing until they saw me do it.

The Future of “Plant Roommates”

Will this trend last forever? Probably not in its current form. But quirky, human-plant relationships are gaining attention. There are already apps that let you log conversations with plants, smart pots that “text you” when your plant needs water, and communities dedicated to “plant parenting.”

So who knows? Maybe in a few years, pretending your monstera is your roommate won’t be weird—it’ll be normal.

✅ Sources

Royal Horticultural Society – Do plants really respond to human voices?
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=443
Psychology Today – Why We Talk to Plants, Pets, and Inanimate Objects
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/articles/anthropomorphism
The Atlantic – The Internet’s Love Affair With Houseplants
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/08/why-houseplants-are-trending/595048/

💬 My experience with this was hilarious, rewarding, and surprisingly meaningful. And you—would you ever treat your plants like roommates? Share your story in the comments below!

Written by the author, Fatima Al-Hajri 👩🏻‍💻