There was a plant in the hallway of my office. A dieffenbachia.

It took me a while to determine that it was a dieffenbachia because it was one of the saddest plants I have ever seen. One overgrown stalk, drooping listlessly to the side. One lone leaf, trailing off the tip of the stalk. No sunlight, no air. I’m sure it got watered occasionally.

Then the leaf started to wither.

I thought it was going to die.

So I searched online to find out what type of plant it might be. I learned that it might enjoy a little bit of sunlight and occasional, but very deep, waterings. I moved the plant into my office where it can see the sun, and started watering it according to plan.

But the plant was still wilted, and its leaf withered even more.

Then I learned that I could do surgery on the plant to help it grow a new root, so that we could jettison the old stalk and root system while saving the plant. The surgery required wrapping the incision site with moss, which I have in my basement.

But I kept forgetting to bring it.

Then I went out of town for a few days.

When I came back, something had changed: a very tiny new little leaf had started growing.

I was astonished — I thought the plant was dying! I was going to do emergency surgery on it, and I can’t do that when there’s very clearly a new leaf growing. So I left it alone, and watered it according to plan.

Soon, the leaf grew into a tendril, then into a legit piece of plant architecture. It hasn’t unfurled yet, but it’s heading that direction. The stalk, which once drooped over like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, started to grow straight and tall.

This dieffenbachia is not a proper full-grown confident plant yet, but its on its way.

All because of a location change, some sun, and proper watering.

What once was lost has now been found.