In 2020, Fiona Way, 30, and her husband, Chucky Howe, 29, moved into a two-family home in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, with his parents.
The couple pays $1,600 a month to live in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment on the second floor, while Way's in-laws pay the rest of the $3,500 monthly rent and live on the first floor, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make. He. She.
While their living arrangements may be familiar to some, 16% of U.S. millennials lived with their parents in 2022, according to Axios – What sets Wai, a construction engineer, and Hui, a UX designer, apart from the 150 houseplants and two cats, Mi and Ding, they moved in with.
“When I look at my houseplants, I'm really living in the moment. I'm not thinking about stress or worry about work or anything like that,” Way tells CNBC Make It. “I just focus on taking care of my plants and making sure they're happy, which is very calming for me.”
Way says caring for her plants is a form of self-care.
Mickey Todiwala. Photo by CNBC Make it
Way's plant collection may be overwhelming to some, but she doesn't think 150 plants is too many.
“I'm just a homebody who wants to stay home all day to play with my cat and my plants,” Way says. “Once I go to work, everything is so fast…but when I come home, it's a complete transformation. I'm in my element and everything is so calm and energetic.”
Way says there's actually very little maintenance — she spends about 30 minutes a week watering it and doing some pest control between seasons.
“They just need water, sun and some love,” Way says. “They're not really hard to take care of, but I think people fail to see them as living things sometimes. The amount of love you put into this plant will give it back to you.”
The one place where Way and her husband don't have any plants at all is their bedroom.
Mickey Todiwala. Photo by CNBC Make it
One of the most expensive plants in Wai's collection is Phildendrom Florida Beauty, which she purchased for $350 during the pandemic. Way and her friend split the cost with a plant propagation plan. Although the price may have intimidated some, Way says it's 100% worth it.
“It has given me so much joy.”
Although Way admitted she was afraid he would die on her: “Part of the journey is getting her back to health and being able to share her with friends.”
Wai and Hui have a designated corner where Mi and Ding hang out around cat-friendly plants.
Mickey Todiwala. Photo by CNBC Make it
Since many plants can be toxic to cats, the couple created an area they call the “Cat Jungle Corner” that houses their pet-friendly plants. Mei is 10 years old, while Ding is five.
“I've learned to train my cat to coexist with my plants,” Way says.
The couple also makes sure to use cat repellent on the plants and keep toxic materials out of Mei and Ding's reach.
The one place where Way and her husband don't have any plants at all is their bedroom.
The couple is currently renting and makes sure to keep their factory ready for a renter.
Mickey Todiwala. Photo by CNBC Make it
Since the couple are currently tenants, they have been careful to keep their plant ready for a renter, but eventually, Way admits, she would like to have a greenhouse.
“I always had a dream of moving to Japan and living in the countryside with rice fields on the side and a greenhouse, you know, and enjoying the tranquility of rural life,” she says.
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