A 1980s Toronto condo turned into an indoor garden
Anlan grows a ficus, a pothos wall and a propagation station in her sunny 1980s Toronto condo, much of it furnished by her dad.
Anlan chose her 1980s Toronto condo for its odd layout and strong afternoon sun, which she doesn't see in newer buildings. She works in health care and shares her plants on Instagram as Plantlan. Without a yard, she says, growing plants indoors keeps her connected to nature in a noisy city.
The plants have thrived. A ficus she bought small at a grocery store eight years ago now stands about 2.5 metres tall. Eight pots of pothos climb one wall, and a propagation station turns cuttings into gifts for family, friends and strangers.
Her father, who loves to draw buildings, built much of the furniture to fit. He made shelves, a bench, picture frames and a spice shelf for the kitchen. Her parents also gave her the big doors that divide the living room from the dining room. That room was once her bedroom.
Anlan grew up in China. On her last visit to Beijing before the pandemic, she brought home a painting from her grandmother's wall. A print hangs over her desk that reminds her of her work as a nurse at a supervised drug use site. Street finds fill the rest, including a stereo cabinet she spotted through Stooping Toronto.
