“Mind over body”, “Tough time never lasts but tough people do”, “Men don’t cry”, “The fittest survives”. These are modern world yardsticks preached by best-selling authors all over the world. Yet again, have you ever wondered why someone who has been leading an admirably healthy lifestyle just stopped breathing while taking a nap? And why someone who seemingly has the world as his oyster decided to take his own life?

I do.

My name is Cath. For most of my life, I was a serial-plant killer, not by intention but ignorance. No plant lived under my care, Not even a cactus or a money plant.

At the peak of my career in 2009, I decided to take a hiatus in the rat race to find out why all the plants hated me so much. Looking back, I believe it was also nature’s recruitment call for me to be the bridge in reconnecting urbanites with nature.

Going back to school to learn about all things horticulture, after sealing my career in international advertising and branding for 16 years, was a bitter-sweet experience for me. I swapped my Manolos and Louboutins for gloves and secateurs; my 2 door-convertible for a 4WD rig. I learnt to interact with people whom I never had a chance to cross path with, and engaged in topics that were all so foreign to me yet so cathartic. Soon, I learnt to speak about plants as if they are my relatives and friends. More importantly, I learnt about life and living from Mother Nature.

In 2010, the go-getter adwoman in me got me to do a one-woman pitch of The Plant Story to NParks. I shared with the board my desire to revolutionise urban gardening in Singapore and reconnect busy urbanites with nature. Through a public tender, I was awarded a 7,000 square feet retail space which I transformed into an integrated garden retail, ‘instagram-worthy” cafe and workshop experience at HortPark. It was an unproven concept, I was an unproven candidate; I had to make it work with limited resources and knowledge but with a BIG heart and a passion to serve.

For the next ten years, The Plant Story enjoyed an immersive roller-coaster ride in nature; meeting and serving people from all walks-of-life through our offerings. We eventually expanded our presence to Tangs Orchard and Marina Bay East while we maintained our focus to facilitate nature-based workshops for individuals and our corporate clientele. We were the media’s darling given our novel approach in the business although what really caught my attention was how the power of nature shows up each time, and how she was shaping behaviours and starting difficult conversations in a safe manner. On our tenth anniversary in 2019, I decided to close our retail operations so I could retrain myself and pivot the business to focus on wellness.

Today, as a certified practising horticulturist, a nature and forest therapy guide, an eco-art therapy practitioner and a nature-based counsellor, I serve my clients with my mantra - To keep plants happy, treat them as humans. To keep humans happy, teach them to observe and fall in love with nature.

I have made it my sole purpose to help urbanites reconnect within and with your loved ones through nature. I invite you to explore the world of nature with me.

Cath Lim

Founder| Learning Experience Facilitator

Certified Practicing Horticulturist (SG/Aust) | Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide (USA) | Certified Landscape Designer | Certified in Art Therapy & Practical Counselling