Cyril Sontillano, 30, from Monterey, said that living with plants is preferable than living with people, with his home now blossomed into a green oasis of calm thanks to his care and attention.
Cyril’s interest in all things plant has become something of an addiction, which can at times feel ‘overwhelming’. Tropical plants, succulents, cacti, and various ferns fill every corner of his home, with his collection expanding weekly.
“I come from generations of plant lovers and farmers and I think it’s something I’ve acquired genetically and through the upbringing and the environment I grew up in,” Cyrill said.
His growing collection already includes 300 indoor plants and 70 outdoor plants, with Cyril buying one or two new plants each week.
“I enjoy gardening and caring for my plants and all the creative pursuits I do which relate to it.”
But being a full-time Plant Daddy is not an easy task, as Cyril will spend at least 30 minutes to an hour daily randomly spot-checking his plants while ‘admiring new growth and flowers’.
On weekends, Cyril will spend at least two to three hours on activities such as re-potting, creating moss poles, taking photographs and recording footage for his social media accounts.
Cyril feels deeply connected to his many plants, and, although he has indeed spent a pretty penny on them, he feels that what he has gained in return has proven to be ‘priceless’, adding great value to his life.
“If other people have so much decor, random items, or whatever they want to collect then why shouldn’t I fill my home with plants,” the Plant Daddy said. “I consider my plants my collection, my decor, and my vices. Having plants around me is just relaxing, they allow me to be creative and encourage me to be patient and resilient.”
Cyrill has been obsessed with plants since childhood. His friends and family have not been at all surprised by his unique decor, and have reportedly been ‘very supportive and appreciative’ of the plant content he shares with the world.
“They always knew me as the boy who lived in the house with a lot of plants, my mother is the neighborhood plant lady and my grandmothers were orchid enthusiasts.”
The nickname ‘Plant Daddy’ came from Cyril’s habit of sending back photographs of his plants when his friends and family sent him photographs of their human children.
Like any good dad, Cyril has to plan carefully for his plants during times when he has to be away from home, and he actively avoids being out of town for more than a week.
“I sincerely hope to continue with my passion. That my aspirations will come into fruition and create a larger positive impact among the people around me,” Cyrill said.
“As cliche as it may sound but I want to be a positive influence, a genuine persona that is fortunate to share his love for the arts and nature. Along the way, I want to improve myself to become the best version of me and maximize my potential as a creator and as an artist.”