Yes! For a long time, I tried convincing myself that it wasn’t affecting my finances because “I had it”. I look back at the thousands of dollars I’ve spent and how it could have been better spent elsewhere or put in savings is what now allows me to think twice before hitting the “buy now” button!
I’m a recovering opiate addict 14 years this year. So like you think I’d be more self aware of the behaviors lol. But plants threw me for a loop! I was dealing with grief of losing my dad and dog last summer and I went from like 5 plants to 165 plants in 6 months and now I have a greenhouse in my basement. I had extra income and now my credit cards are all super high balance. I love them all and they help me as I am still grieving but I need to work on the compulsion. Honestly since you talked about it last time I’ve been way better. ❤thank you for making this video. I’m glad I’m not alone. G
gosh wow thank you for sharing that. I am over the moon my scattered thoughts can help someone who needs it. so sorry to hear about your dad and dog. 💔 big hugs also, congratulations on your sobriety. that is hard work and no, you are never alone. 💞
@ I’m glad you are sharing your scattered thoughts I love them! Big update!!! Granthuriums released so much stuff today and I bought none! My cart was gonna be over 700 and I just couldn’t do it. I did completely check out during a work meeting to check the drop but the motto is progress not perfection 😊
@@Racing_Society lol omg I totally know what you're talking about. 😂luckily, I didn't check my email and missed the drop. I am so so proud of you that you didn't hit the buy button! hopefully you feel good about it too. I always feel amazing when I hold myself back from impulse buying. love that motto! 💚
@@anawithplants I do feel good about it! Glad you got by too! go us!! lol I had the updates going to my work email 😂 bad idea. I coulda gotten the “secret cross” and a few others but I’m really glad I didn’t. I already have so many amazing plants that honestly look the same kinda. in the beginning of collecting the FOMO is so bad. Now that it’s been close to a year I realize they always end up coming back around!
@@Racing_SocietyI’m so sorry for your loss. Plants are my outlet to deal with stress too. I have come to realize that there will ALWAYS be a new, hot and trending plant and I don’t have to own it to admire it! It’s taken a long while to get here. I get attached to my plants and sometimes it’s hard to sell the props I intended to sell. lol. I could never own a plant shop; I’d want to keep them all 😆😆😆
I’ve been staying away from plant-related social media lately, and it’s naturally reduced my exposure to all those new plant trends. Because of that, I’ve been spending less money, which has been great! Now I can fully focus on the plants I already have and give them the care they deserve
I think this was a great topic to discuss and one that I needed to hear. As a therapist, I’m well aware of addiction. I am fairly new to plant collecting but I jumped in, head first. I did begin to notice a while back that it was becoming a compulsive and I wasn’t enjoying my plants as much as I was enjoying buying them. I believe that focusing on nurturing the plants I do have and giving them the time and care they need to thrive is a great goal!
glad to know my research into addiction passed the test from the POV of a therapist. 😄 was worried about that one. awareness is so important. happy you're turning it around!
Thank you for your intensely interesting presentation on addiction, specifically the addiction to buying plants. Truly a behavior that I struggle with. Your kind , clear and well researched presentation is really helpful for my insight into my own behavior. For me, it's been a difficult behavior to analyze because I truly enjoy the beauty of plants, and the excitement of my plants growing and thriving. So the overdoing it is easier to excuse in myself. Again, thank you for producing this video. 🥰
Excellent video on plant addiction. The other point is that in the current market, “rare” plants are not “rare” for very long (not a fan of the word 😂) and can likely be obtained at a later date without the hefty price tag.
Such a helpful video! So often in this hobby, it is almost encouraged to focus on the buying and collecting aspect, rather than the growing and appreciating side of things especially with the “there’s always room for one more” type humor. I totally fall guilty to that myself if I let myself go unchecked, especially with the high accessibility on Palmstreet, FB purges etc !
oooof palmstreet don't even get me started 😅 and I agree, there's a lot of joking around "one more plant" type behavior, which normalizes this compulsive spending. and like someone else pointed out, it's funny... until it's not.
I realized that growing plants well is much more satisfying than buying. I still buy plants, prop and sell/gift/trade props, but I’m much more selective now
Thank you for this video! For this reason I stopped watching plant hauls altogether because it normalizes buying way too many plants imo. I will also only buy a plant if it has been on my wishlist for many months to prevent impulse buying (usually they are also a lot cheaper by that time). And lastly, I had to remind myself, that I can think that a plant is really cool and extraordinary, yet I might not need to own it. This works quite well for me
oh so many good points here! 🤗 I do think watching others haul lots of plants normalizes it. I've definitely done this on my channel. but hoping to be better and set a better example in the future. and agreed, plants are not pokémon. you don't need to catch them all lol
What a thoughtful and well researched video. Kudos to you. I am a recovering drug addict (27 years clean). I had a hell year with many physical challenges. A couple of months ago I realized that I was buying plants compulsively. About a plant a week as you mentioned. Addiction raising its ugly head again in my life. Ultimately addiction is about consequences. I was spending all of my disposable income on plants including clothing, eating out (which I truly love, I used to be a chef), among other things. Anyway, I woke up when I realized I was not getting very much pleasure out of my collection and could not keep up with it. I am not on a plant ban I am simply not buying any plants. A ban implies a more temporary situation. I am not saying there are no plants in my future but there will be limits. I am concentrating on making my plants the best they can be. I am styling them and purging so I can better appreciate them. I am thrifting for pots and supplies and spend about 5-7 dollars a week. I am much happier and satisfied. Thank you for a great topic.
ugh eating out is another area I also fall victim too. 😵💫 one bad habit at a time lol. that's a good approach. I think plant bans can work, but they also fuel the "I want what I can't have" mindset. congratulations on your sobriety Helene 💞
I unfortunately have a very addictive personality. Im finding myself on the dark side of pay in 4. Creating debt for myself and feeling the stress later. I didn’t expect to stumble on this type of plant video but it’s very appreciated. I want to be happy with the plants I have already and I have A LOT. The reward factor was spot on. Thank you for this.
Excellent video, thank you. So important that we address our overbuying and addiction. I have decided I am not going to buy difficult tropicals anymore. I love cacti and I am going to focus on taking good care of my cacti. ❤ 🌵 😊
Watching planty videos while I'm working fuels my plant addiction. but I'm here for it. I want to be surrounded by greenery. Thank you for highlighting this. This is something that I need to keep in check myself.
I decided to sell or give away most of my plants that aren't giving me joy anymore, because it became too overwhelming to me... especially now that it is still winter, and my plants are not doing as well as last year... from all my 130 plants now, I will be keeping maybe 50-60 of them, the other ones gotta go. And I've been spending too much on them lately, so I will be laying off of buying more for a long time. And I will not be buying new plants if I don't absolutely love them.
Thanks for this video. A lot of people need to hear your message. I got out of my brief addiction because of something very practical: real estate. It stressed me out when my plants begin to clutter my apartment. Not to mention it ate a lot into my time because I make sure to spray down my leaves in the shower at least once a week (best pest prevention). And then some of my plants got really large and unwieldy. They eventually fight each other for prime real estate. Nowadays I narrowed down to 20 plants and I’m pretty happy. I now redirect my hoarding of plants toward buying lots of beautiful pots 😂
Good job, that is all interesting to consider. When I'm getting an irrational need to buy a plant, something that works for me is to watch plant shopping videos on youtube. I get a little bit of satisfaction vicariously.
Such a great video for the beginning of the year. Really puts things into perspective especially after I calculated how much I spent on plants and plant supplies last year. I’ve been better in the last couple months bc I’m OUT of space but I do definitely still add things to my carts here and there but now I’m back in school I have a distraction from plants
I enjoyed this video! I think it’s a topic that needed to be addressed. I’ve gone through all the stages you discussed and I’m at the place that I’ll buy one plant a month and focus more on taking care of what I already have. I find buying decorative pots is an addiction for me as well…but it keeps me from buying more plants! Instead of buying a new plant I’ll buy a new pot for a couple of plants 🤷🏽♀️
Great points. I have been growing plants since 2011, been going through phases: - Too many RUclips videos of 30 minute unboxings. I do not understand how some content creators can fit all those plants in their homes. Some channels are just about walking into Lowes' or Home Depot's garden centers and buy new plants. - So now I appreciate channels like 'Everything Plants' and 'Techplant' that are about maximizing and getting the best out of common plants, like their giant pothos competition. - I got back more into orchids, as they tend to be more pest and draught resistant than aroids, can be divided easily, traded and resold. The market for orchids seems more consistent than the rollercoaster for aroids, variegated aroids. - All of a sudden people seem to be so obsessed with collecting tiny Hoya cuttings. 5 or 10 years ago very few cared about Hoyas at all. Seems to be herd mentality - I live in NYC/Brooklyn. Some new overpriced plant stores have closed in 2024. At department stores I see so many plastic fake plants for sale. I occasionally watch some unboxing videos at 2x speed and i skip forward 10 seconds at the time. I really do not understand why so many of these plant unboxing videos are 30, 60 minutes long. I can listen to a podcast while doing other stuff, but I really do not want to spend 60 min watching an unboxing. Why don't these creator edit down their videos/ I really do not need to see removing the packing tape from a box with a large knife in real time. Just show the box, how the plants are packed, and the condition. Video editing programs exist for this reason. Consumerism and materialism are very significant in American life.
thank you for sharing your observations! I've been growing plants for only a few years, so this is the first time I'm noticing these things. - not a fan of big box shopping either, but I noticed those videos tend to get a lot of views. so maybe we're in the minority. - as for long unboxing videos, the main reasoning I can think of is the algorithm. YT tends to push longer videos vs. shorter ones. so perhaps the lack of editing down is due to this. - and yes, we live in the very consumer-driven society.
Thank you this video really hits the point. I have been in a journey of reducing my collection because I don’t need 300 plants. I feel like when all we do is buy, there’s always couple or even more in our own care that’s getting neglected because the numbers are just too many. I see that a lot when I watch videos online so I know its not just me. I enjoy watching care videos more and seeing the plants thrive, grow instead. I’ve gotten to the point in my collection where I can admire other people’s plant but doesn’t mean I need that plant in my collection too. Instead of constantly buying, I am out here trying to make all of mine thrive and flourish (with occasional inevitable pest issue)😅
Hahahaha, I am a registered nurse and recognize the models of behaviors. You using these tools to identify and modify patterns of addiction put it out to your viewers , whether a minor or major , helps us all. If we are a little more introspective we will see and change ourselves. You make a great professor! My latest addition is finding the perfect wide legged pants😂
I put plants on my wishlist then I forget they are on my wishlist! 😂 I had a P. Burle Marx flame on my wishlist for a really long time…I thought it was going to be an unobtainable plant. I bought a cutting a little over a year ago and it brings me so much joy! I feel like my plant collection is at a good stopping point and I am making more intentional decisions on new plant purchases. I think the thing that stresses me out is making sure my cuttings don’t dry out and I also have to stop propagating so many plants! My husbands work place has a plant swap on Earth day so I am ready for that! I told him not to feel compelled to get me any plants if there’s something that’s not interesting or unless he wants one. I think at the last plant swap he swapped a plant for a chili piquín pepper plant. 🥵 I am propagating (you see, there I go again!) seeds for my daughter’s boyfriend at the moment so let’s see if I am successful. Plants are a fun hobby but it can get out of hand quickly if you’re not careful.
Felt that, I fall back into the spiral of buying plants from time to time. I had originally made this RUclips channel in hopes that talking about my plants + creating content will distract me from spending more $$ on more plants. It has definitely worked for me and I would also recommend for anyone looking for a distraction
@ thank you so so much, you’re so kind! 💚I love your videos - you have been a great inspiration to me, I have always loved seeing your beautiful anthuriums 🤩🌱
I find this discussion very down to earth, and something all plant lovers need to really think about. I purged a bunch of plants, I got from a local Hardware store outdoor nursery in the fall for free. It was overwhelming! I went through them, kept what I wanted, then gave the rest away, or tossed some. I felt SO much better. But as I go along I keep going through my collection, I keep it to 60 plants, but if something is not bringing me joy anymore, I will try to sell it, or some have been tossed. I don't follow the trends, I don't have to have the IT plant, it doesn't matter to me. If I see a plant I really know I will enjoy, I will buy it, only if I have the money at the time. I watch a lot of Plant you tubers, and enjoy that a lot, but I'm not inspired to rush out and buy plants. I have what I enjoy, and what I have room for, without my house looking like a jungle. To me that makes ALL that person's plants look tacky. When there are pots of plants hanging all over the walls, and sitting on the floors and shelves stuffed full, it's not pretty anymore. I also quit propagating plants, unless someone really wants that kind of plant. But will only propagate a couple. I got really carried away with that at one time, not now. I like to look at my plants, be excited over new leaves, or flowers, things like that. I don't care who can grow the biggest plant, I also LEARNED something the hard way, I ordered 2 orders of plants a long way apart, but found out that the on-line nurseries ONLY put PICTURES up of SUNSTRESSED plants, to make them sell better. I don't buy variegated plants anymore either, because I found the variegation can just up and be gone!! One of my orders was just one plant, it was Supposed to be red all over, It's totally variegated! Not happy about that. NOW if I'm interested in a Plant I will research the heck out of it, before I might buy it. Which has caused me to not buy that particular plant. Right now I'm just getting my potting soils, organized for my plants, and fertilizers. Also trying to find larger clear plastic pots. But once I'm all organized that way, I just want to enjoy what I have, IF I see something I really like, it's kind of a one in, one out situation. BUT that Graph you put up, showing the want then getting it, then wanting more, sure opened my eyes up!!!! I also have been writing down in a booklet, how much I am spending on each plant, and everything that goes with owning plants. It's been VERY interesting. I only started this January, should have been doing it all along, but at least I am doing it now Thankfully. Thank you for a show, that I think a lot of plant buyers need to watch. From Alberta, Canada
thank you for sharing Kathy! it sounds like you're not easily influenced, which is a great quality to have. I also agree not styling plants properly but instead having it look like a hoarding situation is not pleasing to the eye. glad you liked the graph! sometimes it's easier to see it visually. your booklet idea sounds like it's really working! thanks for watching 💚
This is really timely and needful content for me, Ana. As a recovering alcoholic I use plants to deal with the sometimes overwhelming sense of alienation that destructive behaviors often bring about. And as you alluded to just about anything can become an addiction-or at least (in my case)a substitute rewarding-type compulsion. My savings account certainly testifies to that truth. Thank You for that open, honest, unscripted and fact based look into why we do the things we sometimes do as plant lovers. Really needed that! ♥
really insightful response. awareness is always the first step to change, so I have faith in all of us we can break the cycle! also, huge congrats on your sobriety 💖
I love this topic. A bit tangential but as someone who was really into neuroscience I thought the model of Palmstreet and other live selling apps was really dubious for people with “addictive personalities.” I was thinking a lot about how the social aspect of buying plants makes abstaining harder for people especially if they are otherwise isolated. I love the way you covered plant buying addiction overall! I hope anyone struggling with compulsive purchasing finds community that doesnt center the hobby around acquisition and instead around caring for plants and each other!
love this comment! very well said. and I totally agree. there's this documentary on how the people responsible for creating popular apps use neuroscience to purposely make the apps more addictive and harder to put down. really eye-opening stuff!
Whenever I'm tempted to buy a plant i start asking myself if 1 i have the condition to mantain it nice and happy 2 it's worth the cost 3 in three years id still love to look at her 4 i have the space to keep her now and when it grows bigger (i hate cluttered spaces) Additionally i found out which types of plants i prefer and i stick to these If im unsure whether to buy it or not, i put it in my plant wishlist, which gets "cleared up" from plants i dont really want (like once a couple of months)
Well I've always had a lot of plants. I started raising plants at 15 and I'm 52 now and I've wanted to raise every kind of plant so I can know about that plant. Houseplants have just made it so I don't have to see them die at the end of summer 😊
I haven't bought myself a plant in months.... My name is Johanna and I'm addicted to plants.... I had to stop myself multiple times from going to Home depot 😂 I only have 40 plants 🪴 BUT honestly going to buy me 1 or 2..... It's been maybe 6mos since my last purchase... 💚💚💚
I’m probably addicted to buying new plants. I’ve got around 68. I should get rid of a couple of my calatheas. They are huge, take up a lot of space and they no longer bring me joy. I continue to water them because they are there. They se big, tall and about a foot and a half wide they just don’t bring me joy.
I've been watching you since the video in which you showed 42 new hoyas (5 months, so not very long). I don't want you to take this as a criticism, just a point of view. During this time I have the impression that I was watching mainly plant haul and plant purge alternately - And I got a bit lost in it, because you would buy an insane number of plants, only to throw away the same amount the next month, and the plants looked as if they simply lacked the water to survive... it really was hard to watch. It is good that you yourself understand where the problem lies. Many of us who are into plants decide to reduce the collection or not to buy, whether creators or us viewers. You're not alone, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you get your collection down to a size that makes you happy!
I welcome constructive criticism! and if it's put in a nice way (like yours was), that's a bonus lol. I can see how my uploads and behavior last year was hard to follow. in hindsight, last year was the most scatterbrained I felt in the hobby thus far and perhaps not the best time to start a channel. but here we are 😂 I have no excuses for my behavior, just gratitude most of you guys have stuck with me thus far. I hear what you're saying, thank you.
I think it is a serous topic, why people buy compulsively things. Such people have no statisfying relationship to themself, a partner, family or friends, and they try to fill the inner emptiness with something.
OMG I so get this. I just purged probably 100 plant. Many props that had grown into nice plants. And dang it all I really had to put on the breaks when I wanted to go to town to go look at plants that are coming into the stores now Christmas is over. Sheese I am out of my mind. I did buy two 4 inch grocery store Holiday cactus in colors I did not already have. Deep sale at 1.90 each and nice looking plants. Blooms were spent so they knocked the price from 9.99 to the 1.90.
@@anawithplants Well even better than the good deals it also fits into my new plant purchase plan. For reference I tried to count the plants in my living room dining room and sun porch. I lost count at 105. I know there are over 60 hoya in my master bath and bedroom. My studio room of rhipsalis and jungle cactus is a total unknown number. Maybe not nearly as many plants as others have. To me it might still be too many. Time will tell.
@@stardustfactory8311 You got that right. So far I have been good at resisting buying more. They did not take up so much room when they came to me as cuttings. Now when they get too bog I cut them back root prune when repotting is needed.
No scientific backing with this but my worry with growing my collection too large would be putting myself physically in an environment that is not necessarily good for my body. I imagine living in essentially a greenhouse would lead to more mold growth and too high of humidity for people. I’ve never looked into it just my worry
I have heard people turning entire rooms into greenhouses and it leading to mold problems. definitely need to be careful when playing around with high humidity around the home.
People are tired of being marketed to I think. And it’s impossible to compete with tissue culture as a business model, which makes it difficult for small plant businesses to make a profit. I’ve ordered from small plant shops and received imports in poor condition, which makes it hard to order from them again. Small plant shops that ship plants in amazing condition? Absolutely. But again , the market is so saturated with plants that are cheap it’s impossible to compete with that.
@anawithplants omg I should have recorded the 'you didn't consider the logistics' lecture....but luckily my partner has an excavator and dump trailer so we can make it a proper foundation. See....I did consider the logistics 🤣🤣🤣
This seems to be a common challenge in the plant community. Many thanks for this video. I also enjoyed reading many of your subscribers’ comments on the subject. Very interesting. 👌🪴🥰
back up sis. deeper than that is the addiction to life, and having tp pay for it. it brings pain then humans need a reward. it is designed this way. educate people on the foundation of society and its built to owe from the beginning. please dont give people more reasons to hate themselves, ty very much.
there's nothing wrong in rewards, just (as stated in the video) when the rewards are in excess and start becoming harmful. there wasn't an ounce of hate in this video. the purpose of this video is solidarity. finding others struggling with the same problem and not feeling alone. a quick read through the comments shows this was met. I would re-upload this video again in a heartbeat.
As much as I agree that plants can be very addictive, caring for them is what saved my mental health in really dark times. I’m not poisoning my body, I never spend more than $20 on a plant and I don’t ever l feel overwhelmed by them. On the contrary, plants are my happiness. I think it’s not the same for everyone even though I definitely understand your point. The moment my plants stop brining me joy, I’ll find them another home. I do trade, exchange, gift, get and 200+ plants later I’m feeling fine so I don’t see a problem, but again isn’t that what an addict would say? 😬🪴
if you've never felt any negative effects, all the more power to you! not everyone experiences this, and that's great that some people can avoid it altogether.
I put plants on my wishlist then I forget they are on my wishlist! 😂 I had a P. Burle Marx flame on my wishlist for a really long time…I thought it was going to be an unobtainable plant. I bought a cutting a little over a year ago and it brings me so much joy! I feel like my plant collection is at a good stopping point and I am making more intentional decisions on new plant purchases. I think the thing that stresses me out is making sure my cuttings don’t dry out and I also have to stop propagating so many plants! My husbands work place has a plant swap on Earth day so I am ready for that! I told him not to feel compelled to get me any plants if there’s something that’s not interesting or unless he wants one. I think at the last plant swap he swapped a plant for a chili piquín pepper plant. 🥵 I am propagating (you see, there I go again!) seeds for my daughter’s boyfriend at the moment so let’s see if I am successful. Plants are a fun hobby but it can get out of hand quickly if you’re not careful. I do like watching plant hauls though, it doesn’t make me want to do a plant haul but I might put it on a wish list if it even makes it on there, I might forget to add it. 😬
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
Yeah I agree. It’s funny and cute when it’s not that serious until it is serious, meaning it’s actually effecting your financial situation.
Agreed, it's not the plant per se, but the financial impact of buying tens or hundreds of plants, some which are extremely expensive.
Yes! For a long time, I tried convincing myself that it wasn’t affecting my finances because “I had it”. I look back at the thousands of dollars I’ve spent and how it could have been better spent elsewhere or put in savings is what now allows me to think twice before hitting the “buy now” button!
very well said!
I’m a recovering opiate addict 14 years this year. So like you think I’d be more self aware of the behaviors lol. But plants threw me for a loop! I was dealing with grief of losing my dad and dog last summer and I went from like 5 plants to 165 plants in 6 months and now I have a greenhouse in my basement. I had extra income and now my credit cards are all super high balance. I love them all and they help me as I am still grieving but I need to work on the compulsion. Honestly since you talked about it last time I’ve been way better. ❤thank you for making this video. I’m glad I’m not alone.
G
gosh wow thank you for sharing that. I am over the moon my scattered thoughts can help someone who needs it. so sorry to hear about your dad and dog. 💔 big hugs
also, congratulations on your sobriety. that is hard work and no, you are never alone. 💞
@ I’m glad you are sharing your scattered thoughts I love them! Big update!!! Granthuriums released so much stuff today and I bought none! My cart was gonna be over 700 and I just couldn’t do it. I did completely check out during a work meeting to check the drop but the motto is progress not perfection 😊
@@Racing_Society lol omg I totally know what you're talking about. 😂luckily, I didn't check my email and missed the drop. I am so so proud of you that you didn't hit the buy button! hopefully you feel good about it too. I always feel amazing when I hold myself back from impulse buying. love that motto! 💚
@@anawithplants I do feel good about it! Glad you got by too! go us!! lol I had the updates going to my work email 😂 bad idea. I coulda gotten the “secret cross” and a few others but I’m really glad I didn’t. I already have so many amazing plants that honestly look the same kinda. in the beginning of collecting the FOMO is so bad. Now that it’s been close to a year I realize they always end up coming back around!
@@Racing_SocietyI’m so sorry for your loss. Plants are my outlet to deal with stress too. I have come to realize that there will ALWAYS be a new, hot and trending plant and I don’t have to own it to admire it! It’s taken a long while to get here. I get attached to my plants and sometimes it’s hard to sell the props I intended to sell. lol. I could never own a plant shop; I’d want to keep them all 😆😆😆
I’ve been staying away from plant-related social media lately, and it’s naturally reduced my exposure to all those new plant trends. Because of that, I’ve been spending less money, which has been great! Now I can fully focus on the plants I already have and give them the care they deserve
there's so much influencing that happens. sometimes living under a rock is best 😅
Thank you for this video Ana. I feel it speaks volumes to me & my plant addiction!!
I think this was a great topic to discuss and one that I needed to hear. As a therapist, I’m well aware of addiction. I am fairly new to plant collecting but I jumped in, head first. I did begin to notice a while back that it was becoming a compulsive and I wasn’t enjoying my plants as much as I was enjoying buying them. I believe that focusing on nurturing the plants I do have and giving them the time and care they need to thrive is a great goal!
glad to know my research into addiction passed the test from the POV of a therapist. 😄 was worried about that one.
awareness is so important. happy you're turning it around!
Thank you for your intensely interesting presentation on addiction, specifically the addiction to buying plants. Truly a behavior that I struggle with. Your kind , clear and well researched presentation is really helpful for my insight into my own behavior. For me, it's been a difficult behavior to analyze because I truly enjoy the beauty of plants, and the excitement of my plants growing and thriving. So the overdoing it is easier to excuse in myself. Again, thank you for producing this video. 🥰
you are so welcome, glad you liked it 🥰
Excellent video on plant addiction. The other point is that in the current market, “rare” plants are not “rare” for very long (not a fan of the word 😂) and can likely be obtained at a later date without the hefty price tag.
yup yup, very good point! 😊
Such a helpful video! So often in this hobby, it is almost encouraged to focus on the buying and collecting aspect, rather than the growing and appreciating side of things especially with the “there’s always room for one more” type humor. I totally fall guilty to that myself if I let myself go unchecked, especially with the high accessibility on Palmstreet, FB purges etc !
oooof palmstreet don't even get me started 😅
and I agree, there's a lot of joking around "one more plant" type behavior, which normalizes this compulsive spending. and like someone else pointed out, it's funny... until it's not.
I realized that growing plants well is much more satisfying than buying. I still buy plants, prop and sell/gift/trade props, but I’m much more selective now
glad to hear it 👏👏
Thank you for this video! For this reason I stopped watching plant hauls altogether because it normalizes buying way too many plants imo. I will also only buy a plant if it has been on my wishlist for many months to prevent impulse buying (usually they are also a lot cheaper by that time). And lastly, I had to remind myself, that I can think that a plant is really cool and extraordinary, yet I might not need to own it. This works quite well for me
oh so many good points here! 🤗
I do think watching others haul lots of plants normalizes it. I've definitely done this on my channel. but hoping to be better and set a better example in the future.
and agreed, plants are not pokémon. you don't need to catch them all lol
What a thoughtful and well researched video. Kudos to you. I am a recovering drug addict (27 years clean). I had a hell year with many physical challenges. A couple of months ago I realized that I was buying plants compulsively. About a plant a week as you mentioned. Addiction raising its ugly head again in my life. Ultimately addiction is about consequences. I was spending all of my disposable income on plants including clothing, eating out (which I truly love, I used to be a chef), among other things. Anyway, I woke up when I realized I was not getting very much pleasure out of my collection and could not keep up with it.
I am not on a plant ban I am simply not buying any plants. A ban implies a more temporary situation. I am not saying there are no plants in my future but there will be limits. I am concentrating on making my plants the best they can be. I am styling them and purging so I can better appreciate them. I am thrifting for pots and supplies and spend about 5-7 dollars a week. I am much happier and satisfied. Thank you for a great topic.
ugh eating out is another area I also fall victim too. 😵💫 one bad habit at a time lol.
that's a good approach. I think plant bans can work, but they also fuel the "I want what I can't have" mindset.
congratulations on your sobriety Helene 💞
I unfortunately have a very addictive personality. Im finding myself on the dark side of pay in 4. Creating debt for myself and feeling the stress later. I didn’t expect to stumble on this type of plant video but it’s very appreciated. I want to be happy with the plants I have already and I have A LOT. The reward factor was spot on. Thank you for this.
glad you gave it a click! you're not alone. 😊
Hoarding on the other hand. I do a good job limiting my buying but continuously propagating and allowing them to take over my space is an issue.
oh yes, good point. propagating can easily get out of hand. plants become more plants and more... 😵💫
Excellent video, thank you. So important that we address our overbuying and addiction. I have decided I am not going to buy difficult tropicals anymore. I love cacti and I am going to focus on taking good care of my cacti. ❤ 🌵 😊
thank you! challenging tropical plants is a roller coaster ride for sure. hope you cacti thrive this year 💚
You're never boring and who cares about sounds in the background...not me😊
Me neither.
lol thank you Mary and Lisa! you know me, I like to apologize for apologizing 😂
Watching planty videos while I'm working fuels my plant addiction. but I'm here for it. I want to be surrounded by greenery. Thank you for highlighting this. This is something that I need to keep in check myself.
yes, planty videos are a factor as well. you're welcome, glad you enjoyed 🙂
I decided to sell or give away most of my plants that aren't giving me joy anymore, because it became too overwhelming to me... especially now that it is still winter, and my plants are not doing as well as last year... from all my 130 plants now, I will be keeping maybe 50-60 of them, the other ones gotta go. And I've been spending too much on them lately, so I will be laying off of buying more for a long time. And I will not be buying new plants if I don't absolutely love them.
it's all about balance ⚖️ hope everything works out!
I also think watching so many unboxing videos from my favorite content creators fueled the addiction lol.
guilty as charged 😵💫😂
My RUclips for you section really said FOR YOU lol
thank you for this video girly, loved this video.
LOL 😂 thank you, love your channel btw 💚
Good topic girlie 💗 I love that you’ve switched shopping for a healthy habit like reading!! 👏
thank you Natasha! 🥰
Thanks for this video. A lot of people need to hear your message.
I got out of my brief addiction because of something very practical: real estate. It stressed me out when my plants begin to clutter my apartment. Not to mention it ate a lot into my time because I make sure to spray down my leaves in the shower at least once a week (best pest prevention). And then some of my plants got really large and unwieldy. They eventually fight each other for prime real estate.
Nowadays I narrowed down to 20 plants and I’m pretty happy. I now redirect my hoarding of plants toward buying lots of beautiful pots 😂
yesss giving your plants a shower is great pest prevention. I really must do that more... lol nice looking pots are important too!
Good job, that is all interesting to consider. When I'm getting an irrational need to buy a plant, something that works for me is to watch plant shopping videos on youtube. I get a little bit of satisfaction vicariously.
living through others, great tip!
My addiction isn't plant buying, but plant 🍃 burning 🔥 and this video really helped me reflect on the choices I want to make in the future.
I think I really needed this video 😭 thank you!
most of us needed this video lol, you're welcome!
Such a great video for the beginning of the year. Really puts things into perspective especially after I calculated how much I spent on plants and plant supplies last year. I’ve been better in the last couple months bc I’m OUT of space but I do definitely still add things to my carts here and there but now I’m back in school I have a distraction from plants
I add things to my Etsy cart, too, but they often get sold out before I can afford to buy them. Lucky me.
@@lisaanglim9588 same here. Lucky us
oh adding everything up will be scary for me. I think I'll leave that one to the imagination. 😂
glad to hear you have a distraction now!
I enjoyed this video! I think it’s a topic that needed to be addressed. I’ve gone through all the stages you discussed and I’m at the place that I’ll buy one plant a month and focus more on taking care of what I already have. I find buying decorative pots is an addiction for me as well…but it keeps me from buying more plants! Instead of buying a new plant I’ll buy a new pot for a couple of plants 🤷🏽♀️
that's a good idea! cute pots are worth the investment 😊
Great points. I have been growing plants since 2011, been going through phases:
- Too many RUclips videos of 30 minute unboxings. I do not understand how some content creators can fit all those plants in their homes.
Some channels are just about walking into Lowes' or Home Depot's garden centers and buy new plants.
- So now I appreciate channels like 'Everything Plants' and 'Techplant' that are about maximizing and getting the best out of common plants, like their giant pothos competition.
- I got back more into orchids, as they tend to be more pest and draught resistant than aroids, can be divided easily, traded and resold. The market for orchids seems more consistent than the rollercoaster for aroids, variegated aroids.
- All of a sudden people seem to be so obsessed with collecting tiny Hoya cuttings. 5 or 10 years ago very few cared about Hoyas at all. Seems to be herd mentality
- I live in NYC/Brooklyn. Some new overpriced plant stores have closed in 2024. At department stores I see so many plastic fake plants for sale.
I occasionally watch some unboxing videos at 2x speed and i skip forward 10 seconds at the time.
I really do not understand why so many of these plant unboxing videos are 30, 60 minutes long. I can listen to a podcast while doing other stuff, but I really do not want to spend 60 min watching an unboxing. Why don't these creator edit down their videos/ I really do not need to see removing the packing tape from a box with a large knife in real time.
Just show the box, how the plants are packed, and the condition. Video editing programs exist for this reason.
Consumerism and materialism are very significant in American life.
thank you for sharing your observations! I've been growing plants for only a few years, so this is the first time I'm noticing these things.
- not a fan of big box shopping either, but I noticed those videos tend to get a lot of views. so maybe we're in the minority.
- as for long unboxing videos, the main reasoning I can think of is the algorithm. YT tends to push longer videos vs. shorter ones. so perhaps the lack of editing down is due to this.
- and yes, we live in the very consumer-driven society.
Thank you this video really hits the point. I have been in a journey of reducing my collection because I don’t need 300 plants. I feel like when all we do is buy, there’s always couple or even more in our own care that’s getting neglected because the numbers are just too many. I see that a lot when I watch videos online so I know its not just me. I enjoy watching care videos more and seeing the plants thrive, grow instead. I’ve gotten to the point in my collection where I can admire other people’s plant but doesn’t mean I need that plant in my collection too. Instead of constantly buying, I am out here trying to make all of mine thrive and flourish (with occasional inevitable pest issue)😅
that's really a good point to remember we're not meant to have every single plant we like. here's to a year of growing (and much less buying)! 🤗
Hahahaha, I am a registered nurse and recognize the models of behaviors. You using these tools to identify and modify patterns of addiction put it out to your viewers , whether a minor or major , helps us all. If we are a little more introspective we will see and change ourselves. You make a great professor! My latest addition is finding the perfect wide legged pants😂
haha I knew someone would clock me 😂 thanks Kathryn. that seems like a worthy cause lol, hope you find them
I put plants on my wishlist then I forget they are on my wishlist! 😂 I had a P. Burle Marx flame on my wishlist for a really long time…I thought it was going to be an unobtainable plant. I bought a cutting a little over a year ago and it brings me so much joy! I feel like my plant collection is at a good stopping point and I am making more intentional decisions on new plant purchases. I think the thing that stresses me out is making sure my cuttings don’t dry out and I also have to stop propagating so many plants! My husbands work place has a plant swap on Earth day so I am ready for that! I told him not to feel compelled to get me any plants if there’s something that’s not interesting or unless he wants one. I think at the last plant swap he swapped a plant for a chili piquín pepper plant. 🥵 I am propagating (you see, there I go again!) seeds for my daughter’s boyfriend at the moment so let’s see if I am successful. Plants are a fun hobby but it can get out of hand quickly if you’re not careful.
lol I feel you on the propagations. I totally forget about mine sometimes too. 😂 agreed, you gotta be very mindful to not go overboard.
Felt that, I fall back into the spiral of buying plants from time to time. I had originally made this RUclips channel in hopes that talking about my plants + creating content will distract me from spending more $$ on more plants. It has definitely worked for me and I would also recommend for anyone looking for a distraction
good tip! and congrats on your channel 💚 hope it thrives like your plants
@ thank you so so much, you’re so kind! 💚I love your videos - you have been a great inspiration to me, I have always loved seeing your beautiful anthuriums 🤩🌱
@ aw thank you 🥺🥺
Thank you for this!! Needed it 😊
you're so welcome!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! 😇 Such an important topic that needs to be talked about a lot more! 🥰
you're welcome! happy you enjoyed it 😊
I find this discussion very down to earth, and something all plant lovers need to really think about. I purged a bunch of plants, I got from a local Hardware store outdoor nursery in the fall for free. It was overwhelming! I went through them, kept what I wanted, then gave the rest away, or tossed some. I felt SO much better. But as I go along I keep going through my collection, I keep it to 60 plants, but if something is not bringing me joy anymore, I will try to sell it, or some have been tossed. I don't follow the trends, I don't have to have the IT plant, it doesn't matter to me. If I see a plant I really know I will enjoy, I will buy it, only if I have the money at the time. I watch a lot of Plant you tubers, and enjoy that a lot, but I'm not inspired to rush out and buy plants. I have what I enjoy, and what I have room for, without my house looking like a jungle. To me that makes ALL that person's plants look tacky. When there are pots of plants hanging all over the walls, and sitting on the floors and shelves stuffed full, it's not pretty anymore. I also quit propagating plants, unless someone really wants that kind of plant. But will only propagate a couple. I got really carried away with that at one time, not now.
I like to look at my plants, be excited over new leaves, or flowers, things like that. I don't care who can grow the biggest plant, I also LEARNED something the hard way, I ordered 2 orders of plants a long way apart, but found out that the on-line nurseries ONLY put PICTURES up of SUNSTRESSED plants, to make them sell better. I don't buy variegated plants anymore either, because I found the variegation can just up and be gone!! One of my orders was just one plant, it was Supposed to be red all over, It's totally variegated! Not happy about that. NOW if I'm interested in a Plant I will research the heck out of it, before I might buy it. Which has caused me to not buy that particular plant. Right now I'm just getting my potting soils, organized for my plants, and fertilizers. Also trying to find larger clear plastic pots. But once I'm all organized that way, I just want to enjoy what I have, IF I see something I really like, it's kind of a one in, one out situation. BUT that Graph you put up, showing the want then getting it, then wanting more, sure opened my eyes up!!!! I also have been writing down in a booklet, how much I am spending on each plant, and everything that goes with owning plants. It's been VERY interesting. I only started this January, should have been doing it all along, but at least I am doing it now Thankfully. Thank you for a show, that I think a lot of plant buyers need to watch. From Alberta, Canada
thank you for sharing Kathy! it sounds like you're not easily influenced, which is a great quality to have. I also agree not styling plants properly but instead having it look like a hoarding situation is not pleasing to the eye.
glad you liked the graph! sometimes it's easier to see it visually. your booklet idea sounds like it's really working!
thanks for watching 💚
This is really timely and needful content for me, Ana. As a recovering alcoholic I use plants to deal with the sometimes overwhelming sense of alienation that destructive behaviors often bring about. And as you alluded to just about anything can become an addiction-or at least (in my case)a substitute rewarding-type compulsion. My savings account certainly testifies to that truth. Thank You for that open, honest, unscripted and fact based look into why we do the things we sometimes do as plant lovers. Really needed that! ♥
really insightful response. awareness is always the first step to change, so I have faith in all of us we can break the cycle! also, huge congrats on your sobriety 💖
I love this topic. A bit tangential but as someone who was really into neuroscience I thought the model of Palmstreet and other live selling apps was really dubious for people with “addictive personalities.” I was thinking a lot about how the social aspect of buying plants makes abstaining harder for people especially if they are otherwise isolated. I love the way you covered plant buying addiction overall! I hope anyone struggling with compulsive purchasing finds community that doesnt center the hobby around acquisition and instead around caring for plants and each other!
love this comment! very well said. and I totally agree. there's this documentary on how the people responsible for creating popular apps use neuroscience to purposely make the apps more addictive and harder to put down. really eye-opening stuff!
Such an important topic when it comes to this hobby! I don't think this is talked about enough.
right?! glad you enjoyed 🙂
Whenever I'm tempted to buy a plant i start asking myself if
1 i have the condition to mantain it nice and happy
2 it's worth the cost
3 in three years id still love to look at her
4 i have the space to keep her now and when it grows bigger (i hate cluttered spaces)
Additionally i found out which types of plants i prefer and i stick to these
If im unsure whether to buy it or not, i put it in my plant wishlist, which gets "cleared up" from plants i dont really want (like once a couple of months)
a very thorough system, thanks for sharing! 🙂
Well I've always had a lot of plants. I started raising plants at 15 and I'm 52 now and I've wanted to raise every kind of plant so I can know about that plant. Houseplants have just made it so I don't have to see them die at the end of summer 😊
I haven't bought myself a plant in months.... My name is Johanna and I'm addicted to plants.... I had to stop myself multiple times from going to Home depot 😂 I only have 40 plants 🪴 BUT honestly going to buy me 1 or 2..... It's been maybe 6mos since my last purchase... 💚💚💚
Thank you for this video!
I don't have much to say about plant-buying addiction, but you did a lovely job. I'm sure this will help a lot of people 😊
I'd be shocked if you ever fall victim to this, but thank you Dave 💚
I’m probably addicted to buying new plants. I’ve got around 68. I should get rid of a couple of my calatheas. They are huge, take up a lot of space and they no longer bring me joy. I continue to water them because they are there. They se big, tall and about a foot and a half wide they just don’t bring me joy.
yup, so many plants I water because they are just there.
@ yep. No joy any more. I’ve been too successful with them.
Haha Ana!! My distraction hobby is now waterpainting. Have reduced that plant cycle. 🙋🏼♀️✨🪴💚
water painting is so pretty 🥰 I wish I was more artistic, that's awesome!
Excellent and timely video. Thank you Ana!
you're welcome, thanks for tuning in 😄
Hi Ana You have a collection of different plants. Love watching your videos..
very nice
thank you!
Totally agree with everything 👍👍👍👍great video❤❤❤
thank you so much!
Just within the last 45 days I have bought at least20 plants but also done some plant trading I have to stop but there are a few I still want
I did find value in this video. I think I need to look at my plants into does it bring me joy. I’m currently on a plant ban until the end of February.
good luck on your plant ban!
@ I’ve almost made it to the end of January. I plan on making it till the end of February. But I’ll admit it gives me anxious feeling.
Amen Sister this was a good video every one should see this. ❤😊
thank you 🙏🏻
This was extremely helpful for me so thank you for making this video its given me a lot to think about.
you are welcome, glad you liked it 🤗
I needed to hear this 💚
hugs 💜
I’ve got couple that are very similar. Leaves of a similar shape as well as long tendrils.
By the way, a great read is Frozen River.
ooo this book looks right up my alley. I will add it on my list of books to read in the future, thank you!
I've been watching you since the video in which you showed 42 new hoyas (5 months, so not very long). I don't want you to take this as a criticism, just a point of view. During this time I have the impression that I was watching mainly plant haul and plant purge alternately - And I got a bit lost in it, because you would buy an insane number of plants, only to throw away the same amount the next month, and the plants looked as if they simply lacked the water to survive... it really was hard to watch. It is good that you yourself understand where the problem lies. Many of us who are into plants decide to reduce the collection or not to buy, whether creators or us viewers. You're not alone, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you get your collection down to a size that makes you happy!
I welcome constructive criticism! and if it's put in a nice way (like yours was), that's a bonus lol.
I can see how my uploads and behavior last year was hard to follow. in hindsight, last year was the most scatterbrained I felt in the hobby thus far and perhaps not the best time to start a channel.
but here we are 😂 I have no excuses for my behavior, just gratitude most of you guys have stuck with me thus far. I hear what you're saying, thank you.
I think it is a serous topic, why people buy compulsively things. Such people have no statisfying relationship to themself, a partner, family or friends, and they try to fill the inner emptiness with something.
very good point!
OMG I so get this. I just purged probably 100 plant. Many props that had grown into nice plants. And dang it all I really had to put on the breaks when I wanted to go to town to go look at plants that are coming into the stores now Christmas is over. Sheese I am out of my mind. I did buy two 4 inch grocery store Holiday cactus in colors I did not already have. Deep sale at 1.90 each and nice looking plants. Blooms were spent so they knocked the price from 9.99 to the 1.90.
looks like you scored some good deals! as long as there's flow of plants in and out of your collection, it shouldn't get out of hand.
@@anawithplants Well even better than the good deals it also fits into my new plant purchase plan. For reference I tried to count the plants in my living room dining room and sun porch. I lost count at 105. I know there are over 60 hoya in my master bath and bedroom. My studio room of rhipsalis and jungle cactus is a total unknown number. Maybe not nearly as many plants as others have. To me it might still be too many. Time will tell.
@@shadesofidahoif you can’t count them, there’s probably too many
@@stardustfactory8311 You got that right. So far I have been good at resisting buying more. They did not take up so much room when they came to me as cuttings. Now when they get too bog I cut them back root prune when repotting is needed.
Great informational video 🌱
thank you! 😊
Spot on girl! Agreed 100%!! Lots of love ❤️ Ginger
thank you Ginger!! 🥰
Ya well when your neighbours start calling you the plant guy.... ya
😂😂 that's when you know
No scientific backing with this but my worry with growing my collection too large would be putting myself physically in an environment that is not necessarily good for my body. I imagine living in essentially a greenhouse would lead to more mold growth and too high of humidity for people. I’ve never looked into it just my worry
I have heard people turning entire rooms into greenhouses and it leading to mold problems. definitely need to be careful when playing around with high humidity around the home.
This was a really good video. This is so hard to hear because I'm certain this is a problem I have. But that's for making it.
it was hard to make because it felt like calling myself out. but I'm happy people connected with it and found value 🙂
People are tired of being marketed to I think. And it’s impossible to compete with tissue culture as a business model, which makes it difficult for small plant businesses to make a profit. I’ve ordered from small plant shops and received imports in poor condition, which makes it hard to order from them again. Small plant shops that ship plants in amazing condition? Absolutely. But again , the market is so saturated with plants that are cheap it’s impossible to compete with that.
true, all good points. tissue culture has changed the game when it comes to selling plants now.
Impulse buy a greenhouse kit.....sees this video. #attacked 😂😂😂
loool sometimes we need to be called out 😂
@anawithplants omg I should have recorded the 'you didn't consider the logistics' lecture....but luckily my partner has an excavator and dump trailer so we can make it a proper foundation. See....I did consider the logistics 🤣🤣🤣
I heard no background noise I’m watching the morning news as I watch your video
I was addicted to drugs now it's plants
honestly, we replace one addiction for another all the time. thankfully, this addiction is much less harmful.
congrats on your recovery 💞
This seems to be a common challenge in the plant community. Many thanks for this video. I also enjoyed reading many of your subscribers’ comments on the subject. Very interesting. 👌🪴🥰
you're welcome. and ikr? I love all the thoughtful responses I got. you guys are the best 💜
Excellent
thank you!
Realty check, thank you 😂
anytime 😂
back up sis. deeper than that is the addiction to life, and having tp pay for it. it brings pain then humans need a reward. it is designed this way. educate people on the foundation of society and its built to owe from the beginning. please dont give people more reasons to hate themselves, ty very much.
there's nothing wrong in rewards, just (as stated in the video) when the rewards are in excess and start becoming harmful.
there wasn't an ounce of hate in this video.
the purpose of this video is solidarity. finding others struggling with the same problem and not feeling alone. a quick read through the comments shows this was met. I would re-upload this video again in a heartbeat.
As much as I agree that plants can be very addictive, caring for them is what saved my mental health in really dark times. I’m not poisoning my body, I never spend more than $20 on a plant and I don’t ever l feel overwhelmed by them. On the contrary, plants are my happiness. I think it’s not the same for everyone even though I definitely understand your point. The moment my plants stop brining me joy, I’ll find them another home. I do trade, exchange, gift, get and 200+ plants later I’m feeling fine so I don’t see a problem, but again isn’t that what an addict would say? 😬🪴
if you've never felt any negative effects, all the more power to you! not everyone experiences this, and that's great that some people can avoid it altogether.
I put plants on my wishlist then I forget they are on my wishlist! 😂 I had a P. Burle Marx flame on my wishlist for a really long time…I thought it was going to be an unobtainable plant. I bought a cutting a little over a year ago and it brings me so much joy! I feel like my plant collection is at a good stopping point and I am making more intentional decisions on new plant purchases. I think the thing that stresses me out is making sure my cuttings don’t dry out and I also have to stop propagating so many plants! My husbands work place has a plant swap on Earth day so I am ready for that! I told him not to feel compelled to get me any plants if there’s something that’s not interesting or unless he wants one. I think at the last plant swap he swapped a plant for a chili piquín pepper plant. 🥵 I am propagating (you see, there I go again!) seeds for my daughter’s boyfriend at the moment so let’s see if I am successful. Plants are a fun hobby but it can get out of hand quickly if you’re not careful. I do like watching plant hauls though, it doesn’t make me want to do a plant haul but I might put it on a wish list if it even makes it on there, I might forget to add it. 😬