🪴HOW TO & TIPS
Which Type Of Plant Parent Are You?
Do you treat your plants like beloved children, or are they more like that flatmate who occasionally gets a glance when you walk through the living room?
Turns out, over the weekend I found out that there’s a science behind the way we connect (or don’t) with our leafy friends.
A brand-new study from the University of South Australia surveyed more than 100 plant parents and found that we fall into four distinct categories. And it was really interesting seeing the results. Let’s break it down, and then I want you to take our poll to see where you land.
The 4 Types of Plant Parents
🌱 Highly Connected (14%):
These are the folks who speak to their plants, name them, and may or may not have a dedicated Instagram account for their collection. They feel genuine joy when a new leaf unfurls, and genuine grief if one doesn’t make it.
One person in the study said, “I cried over my plant’s leaf getting broken today.” Sound familiar? Highly Connected plant parents treat their green friends as family members, often rearranging rooms to make sure their fiddle leaf fig gets the prime spot.
🌿 Engaged (42%):
The largest group. These people truly enjoy their plants, they water on schedule, rotate them for even growth, and take pride in a healthy collection. But the connection is more about hobbies and care than any sort of emotional bond.
Think: ‘proud owner,’ not ‘leafy soulmate.’
I feel that an engaged plant owner would say something like “I feel happy when my plants look alive and freshly watered,” but they probably won’t be writing eulogies when a peace lily kicks the bucket.
🍃 Limited Engagement (23%):
These are the casual keepers.
They like the idea of greenery in the home, and they might even enjoy the look and feel of having plants around. But when it comes to care? Eh… minimal effort. They love plants but honestly, they don’t give them so much as a second thought when they walk past them after work.
🌵 No Relationship (12%):
Yes, these people exist. Apparently.
These are the people who see plants as décor at best, or as unwanted gifts at worst. They might water them once in a blue moon, and if a plant dies, they shrug. One person in the study said: “Hardly watered it, it’s a succulent.” I know, it pains me to type.
What’s fascinating is that this research tells us a thing or two about human nature too.
The Highly Connected group often described their plants as a source of emotional support, while Engaged owners linked plants to feelings of pride and accomplishment. Limited Engagement and No Relationship types still benefited from the presence of greenery, just not in a deep, emotional way.
And here’s where it gets interesting: across all four groups, participants reported benefits like reduced stress, calmness, better moods, and even improved focus. That means even if you’re in the ‘No Relationship’ category, your plants are still quietly improving your wellbeing. They’re like the silent heroes of your living room.
Personally? I think I’ve been all four at different times during my life.
When I first started, I was firmly in the Engaged camp. Every watering felt like a little achievement. But after a while, my Monstera took over the living room, and I crossed into Highly Connected territory. (Don’t judge, I may have whispered encouragement during a new leaf unfurling.) And then there are the weeks when I forget about my ZZ Plant entirely and find it looking better than ever, which definitely puts me in the Limited Engagement club.
Now I’d love to hear about you. Vote below!
