For his exhibition at Hong Kong’s Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Zheng Bo mounted locally grown orchids onto bamboo frames spelling out, “Life is hard. Why do we make it so easy?” Embedded into its lush surroundings, the plant slogan prompts viewers to consider the ways in which humankind has made survival challenging for non-human species. For the past eight years, Zheng has incorporated plants into his artistic practice as a means of foregrounding pressing ecological issues and expressing marginalized, non-anthropocentric perspectives. In this interview with ArtAsiaPacific editor Ophelia Lai, the artist discusses the collaborations behind his latest exhibition, the need to pressure the art industry into adopting sustainable practices, and the benefits of making daily drawings of his neighborhood plants.