Plant dad is a title given to men who love to nurture and grow their plants. Although more and more people, regardless of gender, have been choosing to be plant parents over the past several years, there are still views that “Plants are for girls” or “Plants aren’t manly enough.” Yet let’s face it, “plant mom” or “plant mama” are still used more frequently than “plant dad.” We’re here to dispel some myths. Guys enjoy plants, too, and caring for plants can significantly benefit your social, psychological, and physical health.
Plants Make You More Attractive
Being a plant dad demonstrates your ability to raise and care for something other than yourself. Knowing your plant’s demands is similar to knowing what’s essential in a relationship. Seeing a plant child thrive under your care could set the tone for other milestones and reaffirm your partner’s trust in your relationship if your plant baby survives (no judgments, no one begins as an expert). Being a plant dad has been shown to make you more attractive to potential partners for many of the reasons listed above, in addition to giving you amusing fodder for your dating profiles if you’re not already taken. Users on dating websites have noticed increased bonding over their plant collections and mention their plant parenting in their profiles.
Plants Make You Look Like You Have It All Figured Out
The ability of your plants to enhance your home is one of the more well-known advantages of being a plant dad. Want to make your office’s atmosphere better? Include a pothos that can survive with less light. Are you attempting to get smoky smells out of the man cave? Put in a trailing philodendron or a sansevieria to purify the air. Or perhaps all you want is for your mother to stop “dropping in” and making decorating suggestions. The presence of plants in your home conveys that you are well-organized. Hosting friends or a special someone around also means less rushing to clean up or prepare the environment.
Plants Boost Your Confidence
How long have you kept that plant alive? Being a successful plant dad makes you walk more confidently as you watch your plants flourish. There are additional ways to experience the assurance that plants provide. Plants naturally give you a boost by creating a tranquil and relaxing environment. When motivation is hard to come by, keeping a plant alive can give you a feeling of meaning and purpose.
Plants Don’t Judge
Being a plant parent entails avoiding criticism from your plants. Your plants will always pay attention, even if the rest of your friends and family are tired of your dad jokes. They won’t tell you that your high school football game’s winning touchdown was scored for the millionth time or that those trousers are no longer in style. Your plants may not even judge you if you don’t always have them together and occasionally forget to water them or change their pot, depending on the type of plants you have. What matters most is that they won’t inform mum.
Choose Non-Toxic Plants If You Own Pets
According to the experts, several non-toxic plants are available for pet owners concerned about their furry pals:
- The Bird’s Nest Fern
- Spider Plant
- Peperomia
- Bromeliad
- Money Tree Plant
- Calathea
- Pilea
- String of Hearts
- Fittonia
These are all recommended for pet owners who want to be a plant dad. Choosing a hanging plant or setting your new purchase on a high shelf is advised if your pet is curious and active to prevent your pet from consuming it.
Checklist For a Plant Dad
1. Understand Your Plant’s Water Needs
Roman advised choosing a low-maintenance plant, such as a succulent if you frequently travel or aren’t at home much. Succulents hold water in their stems, leaves, and roots. According to experts, string succulents, including strings of hearts, pearls, bananas, and dolphins, are currently in style. They require less watering. Therefore they are simple to maintain, according to experts. According to Swett, you can ask your neighborhood plant expert for advice on a plant that requires biweekly or monthly watering, such as a snake plant, cactus, or aloe.
Although there are certain exceptions, it’s a good idea to water your plants once a week rather than every day, according to experts. According to the experts, your plant will frequently display signs of distress if it isn’t receiving enough water. According to experts, some plants’ leaves become yellow when they receive too much water. “Some leaves will start to droop if they are not getting enough water.”
2. Learn About Dry Soil
They said that if the dirt is separating from the pot’s sides, it may be dry, and if the pot is hefty, it may be filled with water.
According to experts, a toothpick for little plants or a wooden chopstick for larger plants can be used to gauge how wet your soil is. Instead of using a chopstick with a finish, he advised using a grab-and-go or takeout absorbent chopstick. Be delicate not to damage the root system as you gently poke down to the middle of the earth. The Expert said, “Turn it left and right.” “If it comes out dry, it needs water,” the saying goes.
3. Raise Humidity Levels When Needed
Your plant will flourish inside if you mimic its natural surroundings as closely as possible. Most tropical plants prefer high humidity and direct, bright, to moderate light. Comparable plants should be grouped to help generate a more humid microclimate during the dry winter. A humidifier is beneficial for people and can be used to aid (find more ways to increase humidity levels here). While most desert residents, such as cacti and succulents, prefer dry air and harsh, direct light with no shade, they desire the opposite. Humidity doesn’t appeal to them much.
4. Always Keep Temperatures Stable
Maintain as much stability in the environment where your plant lives. Plants can get stressed by abrupt changes. Maintain the temperature between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and keep your plants away from forced-air vents, A/C units, and radiators because they can cause chilly or sweltering drafts.
5. Know When to Skip the Fertilizer
When fertilizing your indoor plants, employ caution. Indoor plants typically don’t require fertilizer as frequently as outdoor plants do. A surplus of fertilizer might have adverse effects. If fertilizing your plant is something you decide to do, it is recommended to do it during the growing season (early spring to early fall) and to adhere to the maxim “less is more.” The majority of commercial fertilizers need to be diluted with water before usage.
You can fertilize a plant for the first time if you’ve kept it for at least a year. Use of an all-purpose fertilizer is advised. Always adhere to the rules. Avoid fertilizer if you’ve just changed the soil! New nutrients in the soil are sufficient.
6. Show a Little TLC at First
It will take your plant a few weeks to get used to its new surroundings after it has been delivered to your door or brought home from a nearby store. Start by paying a little more attention to your plant. By keeping an eye on your plant, you can determine whether to water it and when not to, whether the temperature is too high or low, and whether it is receiving enough sunlight. Also, they have such beautiful appearances.
7. Don’t Be Scared to Repot
Contrary to popular belief, “repotting” refers to replacing your plant’s existing soil with fresh potting soil to provide it access to new nutrients. Repotting is usually necessary every 12 to 18 months, depending on how quickly the plant develops. You can also take advantage of this opportunity to size up if your plant has outgrown its existing planter. Choose a planter that is just 1 to 3 inches bigger than the one it is currently in. The idea is that your plant will have a little more room to grow since it won’t be swimming in soil, which could cause you to overwater it.
Becoming a Responsible Plant Owner…
Being a plant and pet owner can come with many challenges. It is important to learn as many tricks as you can and do research. With the right knowledge you, your pets and plants can all have a harmonious long life together!
