What to Do When You Get Overwhelmed as Plant Parent // How to Go on a Plant Pause

Today I share a clip of a recent conversation I had with Cyril from @CyrilCybernated , Lucrecer from @soulsisterplants and Phoebe from @welcometothejunglehome all about Plant Parent Overwhelm and what to do when our plant care hobby starts being stressful and no longer joyful.

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[cozytunes]

One more anxiety source: pests! When you have so much plants, and they are cluttered, close together and one day spider mites infest one of them or more... That's a huge overwhelming moment for me, that made me downsize my plant collection.

[kellylewis]

Such a great topic! When Covid hit and so many people began collecting, I went on my "pause". I took inventory and began editing because I wanted the plants to enhance my house, not overwhelm it. I began watching more plant videos and seeing collectors (so many young folk!!) filling their homes to the point of every room and every surface--spending ridiculous amounts of money on 3 tiny leaves (NOT plant-shaming here, just reality). On so many plant "tours" I noticed many plants were suffering because of the overwhelming amount they have accumulated. I paused for six months and my plants look beautiful! I quit trying to force plants to survive in spots they weren't suited for, I quit making plants fight for prime real estate--I began finding joy in the plants I own instead of waiting for the "high" of the next purchase. This sounds like an AA testimony, lol, but any plant enthusiast can generally attest to this. I'm sure I will buy more plants in the future, but for now I am finding peace and pleasure (what a true hobby is supposed to inspire) in tending to my current collection. This topic needed to be discussed :)

[laurenervin]

SO happy you shared this. I've only really been collecting plants for a year now and I've DEFINITELY had those moments where I've thought " Am I crazy? Is this a problem?...Oooo, is that a hoya!?"😂 It's nice to hear that other plenty people deal with this when they're first starting out😊 I'm trying to learn to appreciate the plants I have, really learn they're care, and realize that the plants will always be around and I don't have to have them all at once😬😂

[tatymschneider]

Really great topic to talk about. I have a plant collection that I really love because it's very tailored to me. I only buy plants that meet the criteria of being mostly easy to grow and tolerant of the lighting and humidity in my home, as well as being easy to propagate and share, which I love to do. My plants are mostly pothos, philodendrons and aroids. I have been through bouts of thrips, fungas gnats, yellowing leaves, root rot and more, which I can find very overwhelming to treat, so I keep my collection within a manageable size for myself at about 40-50 plants. What feels manageable will be different for everyone, but I think if you just stay in tune with how you're feeling about your plant collection you'll find the sweet spot for yourself, just enough for you to enjoy, without the overwhelm of excessive time and money and stress to maintain. Happy plant collecting everyone!

[ramenchuu]

One of my initial strategies when I decided I wanted to try a houseplants was to create an inspiration board for what I saw and I liked. As I started collecting I started a plant purchase list with only the plants I wanted (which I would add to only after much consideration of a plant). This has helped me make sure I don't go overboard and every plant is one that I truly have considered and love. Maybe this process might help others so they don't get overwhelmed and over-purchase.

[nataliehale]

I definitely am a very overwhelmed plant parent. I have bad anxiety and depression so small things trigger me. I started with ferns even though I know they aren't beginner plants but I didn't love any of the beginner plants. I started slowly and I only have eleven now and I started at the beginning of the year but I get so anxious about my plants and if something is wrong with the soil, if a plant has yellow leaves I get really worried and especially if there isnt any information about a problem im having available. My mom and I have had great success with maidenhairs but I've killed a button fern and I currently have a sad looking begonia rex and polka dot plant. I am also a bit ocd and I tend to run my fingers over my ferns a lot and tend to fuss over them but they seem to be very tolerant of my fussing. my mom does keep telling me though that its meant to be fun and that shouldn't stress but I become very attached to my plants

[shatonajones]

I'm so overwhelmed. I want to hoard mine too and I hate when they die and I can't revive them.

[HerebutNot]

Good video! I think for me the most challenging thing was reaching a point of, “this is enough for me” and finding happiness in cultivating, loving, improving, and sharing the plants that I have. So I guess it’s like a prolonged “Plant Pause” 😂 I still get the odd plant here and there on a swap, but for 2021 I’m hoping to avoid any “hauls” entirely and mostly stick to swapping/trading rather than seek and buy. Annnyways, loved it! Agreed—have gone through these anxieties myself as well over the years. ☺️