We all seem to have that one thing we can’t seem to get enough of. Those who love shoes, or something collectible, like teacups, are the ones they want to be around. However, for some people, it’s something with a little more personality, houseplants.
What are the reasons houseplants are so addictive?
The addictive nature of houseplants arises from their affordability, as well as their ability to improve health, productivity, and wellbeing. Additionally, houseplants contribute to a calm and orderly feeling, which makes it easier for us to maintain relationships within our households. A lot of people feel this need to have more houseplants when they think of those feelings.
Plants have always been wonderful, no matter what. What explains the growing popularity of keeping houseplants?
Why Are Houseplants So Popular?
In the last twenty years, the Netherlands, the world’s largest plant producer, has been the center of exports to the United Kingdom and the United States. There are now over two billion dollars in sales in the indoor plant market.
People in their twenties and thirties are especially interested in plants, which is interesting since I always remember my grandmother always having an abundance of houseplants.
Houseplants, in the opinion of Millenials, add character to the home and bring color.
In addition to giving a sense of relaxation, plants also grow over time, and owners are proud of seeing them flourish over time.
Plants have been proven to boost workers’ morale both at home and at work, and they encourage a better work environment.
A green space is also natural air purifier, and it has been proven that exposure to nature is essential for human health. Scientists have long known plants absorb pollutants through their roots and leaves, thereby improving the quality of the air we breathe.
Plants in the environment have been linked with good mental health for a very long time, and are beneficial in treating conditions like asthma and heart disease.
Having an increased awareness of the body and soul today has also contributed to the boom in houseplants.
It’s not just the clean air that makes plants psychologically beneficial.
Our stress levels are lowered and our mood is improved as a result of plants, as well as increased productivity. In a world dominated by technology, the simple act of caring for a houseplant offers a break from that as well as a respite for the soul.
Can You Be Addicted to Houseplants? 14 Signs To Look For!
I’m sure you can! The process isn’t difficult either. The following are 14 signs that can help you discern whether you are addicted to houseplants.
- It is important to have someone come water and feed your plants when you are away from home, just like you would when you had a pet
- Your house is filled with houseplants, and there doesn’t seem to be any empty space
- You have beautiful images of plants as your phone wallpaper or screensaver
- You only have houseplants hanging from your ceiling
- The more containers you have, the more pots you can add for your houseplants
- To increase the amount of sunlight in your home, you have made renovations
- You believe your houseplants have personalities of their own
- It is your responsibility to name your houseplants
- You are overly concerned about the quality of the air in your home
- Shopping for houseplants on the internet at 3 in the morning
- Plants are a part of your work environment
- There are pictures of houseplants all over your Facebook page
- You judge people by whether they own houseplants or not
- As part of your regular cleaning routine, you wipe down your plants
What Do You Call Someone Addicted To Houseplants?
There’s a lot of things one can call an addiction to houseplants!
Horticulturist and botanist may be familiar terms to people, but these terms refer to someone’s profession rather than their daily occupation.
It is possible to be a plantaholic or a plantsman if you are addicted to houseplants. A person with these characteristics would be knowledgeable about plants, but also possess a certain attitude toward plants, which is often referred to as an obsession.
Plantsman is historically used interchangeably with horticulturist and botanist, but those are more professional terms.
Are Too Many Houseplants Bad?
The answer is yes and no. Getting into houseplants can be a wonderful hobby, but it can also easily become an addiction that may even take over your life.
You may have started with just one, but before you know it, you have a whole jungle inside your house!
Maybe it’s draining your bank account as well.
Even though the hobby isn’t overly expensive, it can become all-consuming. When you are not careful, the cost of your houseplants can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars.
Aside from the pot, soil, hangers, and other necessities, there are also other costs involved.
Plants can be affected by several different factors, like their growing environment and how many people or pets live with them. Even if you are able to grow over a dozen succulents successfully, one bonsai tree may not thrive.
It is possible that you are unintentionally making a mess if you have trouble walking through your house without tripping over your plants, especially if you tend to go overboard and don’t arrange them properly.
Although houseplants can make a home seem alive and comfortable, too many of them can be detrimental.
You may have too many plants if you no longer have the time to take care of them. You’ll need to trim and water them every day, so you’ll spend some time every day on them.
In addition, houseplants get sick, just like people, so that can be time-consuming as well.
Health-wise, it is not dangerous to have too many houseplants. That is, for humans. Pets, not so much.
If you have pets, you will need to be very careful, as some houseplants can be poisonous to cats and dogs, as well as small children. The consumption of any plant by a pet, even if it is not toxic, may lead to serious gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea.
There are several popular houseplants that can be deadly to cats and dogs, which I compiled in this article.
Houseplants Dangerous to Cats and Dogs
- Easter Lily. Especially during Easter, these are some of the most common flowering plants. Cats or dogs, however, are unable to digest them and may experience nausea, vomiting, drooling, and difficulty breathing after eating them.
- Aloe Vera. It has many beneficial medical properties and is a staple in many home gardens. However, cats and dogs can be poisoned if they consume them, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.
- Swiss Cheese Plants. Houseplants like these are fairly low maintenance and produce stunning foliage, but they are poisonous to cats and dogs. Your pet may experience burning of their lips and mouths, drooling, and vomiting as a result.
- English Ivy. As they cascade down walls, these plants are the epitome of the English cottage, but they are not good for cats and dogs. Ingesting them can result in excessive drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Snake Plant. Although they may be hard to kill, they can also be mildly harmful to dogs and cats, causing vomiting, slowed heart rates, and general malaise.
- Rubber Tree Plant. They are available in different shapes and sizes, and their toxicity varies from cat to cat. Generally, however, they can cause skin rash, mouth irritation, drooling, malaise, or vomiting if ingested.
You should contact your veterinarian if you notice your pet eating any of your houseplants.
Final Thoughts
There are certainly worse addictions to have, but houseplant addiction comes with its own set of challenges to overcome.
When you find yourself tripping over plants, filling any empty space with a new plant despite your wallet telling you otherwise, and you can’t seem to keep your plants alive any longer, maybe it’s time to downsize your collection.