Are you struggling to keep your houseplants alive? You might be one of many aspiring plant parents who find themselves in this annoying cycle, and you wonder why you can't seem to keep even the “easiest” plants alive. The problem is not finding the “right beginner plant” but understanding your own plant parent personality. So in this episode, I’ll tell you the five distinct plant parent personalities and how they can help you choose the right plants for your lifestyle.

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:53] What's a Plant Parent Personality?
• [05:02] Is there a “starter plant”?
• [07:03] Take my plant parent personality test first!!
• [08:06] Are you a Mindful Plant Parent?
• [14:54] Find the perfect grow light that suits your plant parenting style with Soltech Grow Lights!
• [17:13] Find the right Espoma Organic products to nourish every type of plant in your home!
• [19:23] Are you a Low Maintenance Plant Parent?
• [24:45] Are you a Curious Collector Plant Parent?
• [31:45] Are you a Design-Based Plant Parent?
• [39:32] Are you an Urban Farmer Plant Parent?

 

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Why Your Plant Parent Personality Matters

Each one of us has different styles when it comes to fashion, hobbies, and even caring for our plants.

Over the years, I have talked to thousands of other plant lovers and noticed that five personalities tend to stand out. One of my conclusions is that once you start to understand yours, that will help you select the plants that complement your lifestyle. That should save you time, money, and especially disappointment.

So do you want to know which type of plant parent you are? I’ve created a free, two-minute Plant Parent Personality Test that provides a personalized list of plants to try based on your results. I suggest you answer this first before proceeding to read the rest.

 

Are You a Mindful Plant Parent?

So, the majority of my audience—or the largest of all five personality types—is the Mindful Plant Parent. If you listen to this podcast, you probably appreciate the mindfulness elements that plants bring to your life.

You’re nurturing your plants and nurturing yourself while doing it. You find joy in watering, admiring, and engaging in a self-care plant care practice. You also may tend to overwater—maybe even becoming a “helicopter plant parent.”

For you, I’d recommend moisture-loving plants like ferns, marantas, or maybe even an orchid that you can spritz regularly. Connect your plant care routine to your self-care routine. You can even do a practice from my book. For example, if you see a heart-shaped leaf, think of it as a reminder to be thankful.

Challenge: Sometimes, you might be a little too attentive, leading to overwatering.

 

Are You a Low-Maintenance Plant Parent?

This is kind of me right now. You’re busy, you travel, or maybe you have kids or pets, and you want to enjoy plants without too much extra responsibility. You believe in their benefits, but you don’t want them to add stress to your life.

So I suggest plants like snake plants, ZZ plants, rubber plants, or succulents—plants that are super chill and can go weeks without water. Try self-watering planters, so you can set it and forget it. It’s okay to let go of plants if you feel spread too thin.

Challenges: Underwatering.

 

Are You a Curious Collector Plant Parent?

If plants are like Pokémon to you and you’ve got to catch ‘em all, you might be a Curious Collector Plant Parent! You’re all about experimenting with different plants, pots, and growing media, and you love learning new things. Curious collectors often get super into their collections and can totally feel that “plant parent overwhelm.”

For you, I recommend focusing on a specific type, like pink plants, variegated varieties, or even cacti. Still, don’t forget to go on a “plant pause” when needed so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

Challenges: Avoiding overwhelm.

 

Are You a Design-Based Plant Parent?

So the design-based plant parent is all about the vibe. You’re probably a Pinterest-type of person who’s all about aesthetics (not that I’m generalizing or anything). But you bring plants home for the vibe and you choose based on which complements your interior design. So think of plants with structural elements like fiddle leaf figs, monstera, and of

Are you drawn to Pinterest-worthy rooms with plants? If you’re all about aesthetics, you might be a Design-Based Plant Parent. You bring plants home for the vibe, choosing ones that complement your interior design. Think of plants with structural elements like fiddle leaf figs, monstera, or the oh-so-stylish ZZ Raven.

Challenges: Sometimes, you might select a plant based on looks rather than its actual needs.

 

Are You an Urban Farmer Plant Parent?

For urban farmer plant parents, you’re growing plants for more than just looks—you want harvest! You take great pride in growing your own food and enjoying the process of preparing it, whether it is from herbs, tomatoes, or even mushrooms.

You may struggle with light if you live in an urban setting, so also invest in grow lights. Hydroponic planters are also something you can try, especially if you’re short on space. I suggest going for plants that you love to eat and use, and then consider trying new things like mini citrus trees.

Challenges: Dealing with limited sunlight.

 

Go Take My Plant Personality Test

Whatever your plant parent personality may be, I hope this helps you find plants that bring you joy! It’s free and only takes a couple of minutes. This was really a brainchild of mine, and I’m so happy that it can help you become a better plant parent!

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• What's Your Plant Parent Personality?
• Understanding Natural Light Worksheet
• TruDrop Self Watering Planters | Crescent Garden
• WallyGrow Planters
• Soltech Aspect™ LED Growlight
• leafjoy H2O® Collection | Proven Winners
• Lettuce Grow
• Click & Grow
• YouTube video: I Made A DIY Houseplant First Aid Kit for Your Worst Case Plant Problems
• YouTube video: Come Tour Homestead Gardens with Me! // What to Expect When You Visit Homestead Gardens
• YouTube video: Lettuce Grow Farmstand Review: Set Up, 30 Day Recap and First Harvest for my Easy Green Smoothie!
• YouTube video: Lettuce Grow 3 Month Update: What I like and don't like so far and fertilizing tips
• Growing Joy Ep 208: DIY Houseplant First Aid Kit with Leslie Halleck
• Growing Joy Ep 111: The Art of the Plant Pause and Managing Plant Parent Overwhelm
• Growing Joy Ep 178: The Mushroom Miniseries: Mushrooms 101 Plus the Answer to “What is the Mushroom Growing in My Houseplant!”
• Growing Joy Ep 183: The Mushroom Miniseries: How to Grow Functional Mushrooms in Your Garden
• Growing Joy Ep 191: The Mushroom Miniseries: How to Grow Mushrooms Indoors
• Growing Joy Ep 210: How to Grow Citrus Indoors with Danny of Via Citrus

 

 

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

As we get deeper into the fall season, ensure your plants are still getting enough light indoors! Soltech Solutions offers grow lights with full-spectrum white light that mimics the sun to keep your plants happy and healthy: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a multi-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions.

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code “bloom15”.

Espoma Organic

If you want houseplants that thrive, set them up for success with high-quality soil, fertilizer, potting mixes and more! Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To top it all off, they have a huge sustainability commitment with a 100% solar-powered plant, zero waste manufacturing, and eco-friendly packaging.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

 

 

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