Leaf of Life: Growing Healing in a Handmade Space
A small cutting of the Leaf of Life, that’s all it took to get started. I snipped a piece from a neighbor’s yard yesterday. No grand plan, no fancy setup, no special tools. Just a simple, deliberate step toward something I have been meaning to do for a while now: grow what I consume and grow my own backyard pharmacy.
With food costs climbing and space being what it is, I have been thinking more seriously about how I can build something small at home, a little system that supports my wellness, my independence, and the way I actually want to live. Not overnight, not all at once. Just one plant, one cutting, one intention at a time. This is one of those first steps.
Table of Contents
Why I’m Doing This
This isn’t just about planting something in a pot. It’s about something much older than that. It’s about remembering what my mother knew: that the answer to a fever, a cold, or an unsettled stomach was often already growing in the yard.
Leaf of Life. Soursop leaf. Cerasee. These weren’t exotic things. They were ordinary, everyday, always there, and somewhere along the way, many of us stopped reaching for them. I want to reach for them again.
- Growing my own herbs for wellness and natural remedies is part of building a small, living pharmacy right outside my door. Not to replace everything, but to supplement, to have options, to trust what the earth provides.
- Reducing dependence on outside sources is another part. There’s something quietly powerful about not needing to run to a store for every little thing. If my body needs something soothing, and I can step outside and pick it myself, that’s a kind of freedom that’s hard to put a price on.
But honestly? The deepest reason is reconnection.
Jamaica has a rich tradition of bush medicine and herbal knowledge. Knowledge that has been passed down through generations, that kept people well long before there was a pharmacy on every corner. That knowledge is still alive, still valid, still worth practicing. I don’t want it to fade out of my life just because modern living has made it easy to forget.
Leaf of Life (Bryophyllum pinnatum) feels like one of the right plants to start with. It’s humble. It grows almost anywhere. It asks very little and gives generously. It is used traditionally here for everything from respiratory relief to skin care to calming the nerves. There’s wisdom in its simplicity.
So yes, this is about food and herbal security. It is bout wellness that starts in the soil. It is about living a little closer to the earth, even within the limits of a small yard space, a balcony, or a windowsill. Every leaf I grow is a small act of reclaiming something, and I’m just getting started.
Growing my Leaf of Life vertically, supported by a crochet plant hanger
Why Leaf of Life?
Leaf of Life is one of those plants that almost grows itself, and in Jamaica, it’s been doing exactly that in yards and gardens for generations. It’s a plant with deep roots in Caribbean herbal tradition, and for good reason. Traditionally, it’s been used to support the body in more ways than most people realize:
- Respiratory relief: Long used to ease colds, coughs, flu, and congestion, often brewed as a simple tea with honey.
- Inflammation and pain: The leaves are applied topically to help with swelling, bruises, and skin irritation.
- Blood pressure support: It’s commonly used in bush medicine here to help manage hypertension.
- Digestive and kidney health: Known to help with stomach discomfort and traditionally used to support kidney function and urinary health.
- Immune support: Rich in antioxidants and compounds believed to help the body defend itself.
Beyond all of that? It’s one of the most forgiving plants you will ever meet. It can propagate from a single leaf literally; place a mature leaf on soil, and it will sprout new plants along its edges. No green thumb required. No special conditions. Leaf of Life literally wants to live, and it will. That feels like the right energy to have around all the time.
How to Make a Simple Leaf of Life Tea
It doesn’t get much easier than this:
- Pick 2–3 fresh leaves and rinse them well (dried leaves can be used)
- Bring a cup of water to a boil, then add the leaves
- Let it simmer for 5–10 minutes
- Strain, sweeten with honey or a slice of ginger if you like, and sip slowly
Some people prefer to steep the leaves in already-boiled water for a gentler brew. Either way, it’s simple, earthy, and surprisingly pleasant. Best taken warm, especially at the first sign of a cold or when you just need something calming.
Don’t Have Access to the Plant? No Problem.
Not everyone has a neighbor with a Leaf of Life growing in their yard, and that’s okay. If you’re outside the Caribbean or simply can’t find it locally, you can still bring this plant into your wellness routine.
I’m currently sharing this option through Amazon: Kalanchoe Pinnata Dried Leaf Powder – Leaf of Life. You can get it here – affiliate link.
It’s a convenient way to get the same traditional herb in dried powder form, easy to add to teas, smoothies, or your existing herbal ritual. Clean, simple, and a great starting point if you’re curious about what this plant can do for your body.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. I only share things I genuinely believe in.
Growing in a Small Space (But Still Growing)
I don’t have a big backyard, and honestly, that’s okay. So, instead of wanting to spread out, I’m learning to grow up. For this Leaf of Life cutting, I’m using a crochet plant hanger I made myself to lift the pot, create breathing room, and keep everything within reach without taking up precious floor space. It’s a practical solution, but it’s also something more than that.
There’s something quietly powerful about growing something healing and cradling it in something I made. The plant and the hanger feel like they belong together. Both intentional and made with care. If space is limited, creativity becomes your soil.
The Planting Process – No special equipment. No complicated steps. Here’s exactly what I did:
- Took a healthy cutting from a mature Leaf of Life plant
- Let it dry slightly so the cut end can callous over
- Planted it into well-draining soil
- Watered lightly – just enough to settle it in, not drown it
That’s it. The beauty of Leaf of Life is that it doesn’t ask for much. It’s a resilient plant by nature, built to survive and spread. Your job is mostly just to give it a chance. Sometimes starting is the whole work.
What’s Coming Next
This is just the beginning. I plan to document the whole journey right here.
Over the coming weeks, I will be sharing:
- How the cutting settles into its new home
- Week-by-week growth updates with photos
- Any challenges that come up along the way
- And eventually, harvesting the leaves to brew my first cup of Leaf of Life tea
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get notifications when I share updates about my Leaf of Life plant – click here.
If you’re on your own planting journey, I would love for us to grow alongside each other. Follow along and let me know in the comments if you’re starting something too.
Final Thoughts
There’s something deeply grounding about this, and I don’t think it’s just about the plant. It’s about the act of tending to something, watching it take root, and knowing that what you’re growing will one day support your body in a real, tangible way. And doing all of that in a way that fits your life, your space, your budget, your pace.
Leaf of Life has survived and thrived in Jamaican yards for generations because it asks very little and gives back generously. I think there’s a lesson in that. Start small. Stay consistent. Let it grow.
Want to Grow Vertically Too?
If you are working with a small space like I am, crochet plant hangers might be exactly what you need – beautiful, functional, and a perfect way to grow upward without giving up square footage.
I make them by hand, and I would love for one to hold your next plant – Browse the collection here. And if you’re starting your own Leaf of Life, or any planting, journey, drop a comment below to let me know what you are growing. Or you can tag me on Instagram @gillianlarmond, I genuinely want to see it.
