Socks and Succulents

By Cassandra Coria

What used to be a grab-and-go that lasted 30 minutes has grown into a two-hour event where attendees get to choose a small plant, paint the pot, grab socks and stickers, and take a picture with a backdrop that says, “Grow with whatever life plants you.”

It’s Socks & Succulents, hosted by the Canyon Activities Board (CAB) at Grand Canyon University on Tuesday afternoon. The event has become so popular, some students were allowed – encouraged, even – to take time out from class to grab a plant.

“I was actually starting English class, and the first minute into it my teacher said, ‘They are doing a Socks and Succulents thing. If you guys want to go, just go and come back when you’re done,’” freshman Sophie Bricker said. “And so half the class got up and came to this. It’s awesome.”  

The event took place on a cloudy day, allowing students to sit on the grass and fill Canyon Field with conversation. It proved that no matter what type of succulent it is – wider with layers of leaves, or skinny and tall with only three sprouts – there’s always one that will talk to you.

But why are these plants so fascinating to students?

“If you look at it from a microcosmic way, this is the beginning of life,” junior Cade Fisher said. “It’s just very simple, and it’s just nice to appreciate what we have. I like looking at plants. This one is really small and it’s really cute and I want to keep it alive.”

Bella Gomez Padilla likes it because it’s easy to maintain.

“I have one in my room, and I am not the best at keeping things alive,” she said. “It seems so simple, but then seeing it grow and get bigger, I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh! Look at it grow!’”

The event included:

Here are more photos by Ralph Freso: