The ADHDer’s guide to keeping houseplants (alive)
For us folks with ADHD, sticking with routines and forming new habits can be borderline impossible. We’re natural dopamine seekers, so boring little tasks like watering your plants often fall by the wayside in the pursuit of fun, new things. Forgetfulness is also a common issue, because we have so many other things going on in our heads!
So with all of that said, how can people with ADHD keep plants alive? Many of our green little friends rely on regular watering to maintain their health. Accidentally forgetting them for a week or more can leave plants wilted and sad, or worse - dead. It’s important to remember that accidents happen, and even people with the greenest of thumbs have lost plants before. (It happens in nature all the time!) Still, it can be disappointing and even upsetting to lose a plant, especially if it was expensive. With that in mind, here are some of my best tips for keeping houseplants alive and thriving when you have ADHD.
Choose your plants wisely
Photo by Angèle Kamp on Unsplash.
The beautiful thing about plants is that there’s heaps of variety. Each type of plant has different needs, so you can get plants that suit your lifestyle!
Personally, I have a great track record with succulents - of the dozens I’ve kept, I’ve only ever lost a few. I’ve had one of my little cacti for about 9 years now, because I left it outside and forgot it existed. It thrived on neglect. If you’re someone who struggles to keep fussier plants alive, succulents are the perfect alternative. Succulents only need sunlight and a very occasional water to be happy. They also come in heaps of sizes, so you can find a succulent friend to fit any space in your home.
Now I’m not a gardener by any means, but in the past few months I’ve learned a lot about plants. To get you started, here are some other types of hardy plants I can recommend for the absent-minded waterer. (It’s important to research your choices yourself and keep your own specific lifestyle in mind, though! What works for one ADHDer might not suit another.)
For further reading or more plant suggestions, check out this article: 11 Low Maintenance Plants for the Forgetful Type.
Photo by Cup of Couple on Pexels.
Strategic cup and bottle emptying
Some people with ADHD - myself included - are in the habit of forgetting about our drinks and leaving them around the house. Water bottles, cups, glasses - if you can drink out of it, I’ve abandoned it in a weird place and forgotten about it for at least a few days. While I’m sure it annoys other occupants of the house, it can be a boon for any thirsty plants.
This tip is pretty straightforward. When you’re tidying up and come across an abandoned drink, don’t tip the stale water down the sink. Instead, walk past a plant on your way back to the kitchen and give it a quick splash of water. Not only are you saving water, you’re tidying and watering a plant. Multi-tasking!
Even if the dishes you’re collecting are empty, it’s worth filling up a cup and watering anyway. If you water a plant every time you collect random dishes, you’ll be more likely to associate the activities. Then, assuming you collect glasses and cups semi-regularly, you’re more likely to remember to water them. Give it a go!
Use visual reminders
Photo by Kaufmann Mercantile on Unsplash.
I’m the type of ADHDer who forgets things exist when they’re not in sight. This morning, I rediscovered my favourite t-shirt which I’d completely forgotten about, simply because it ended up at the bottom of the drawer. If this sounds like you, having reminders in a visible spot can be a great way to jog your memory. I keep a watering can near the back door so that I remember to water my plants when I walk past it (which works about 30% of the time, but that’s enough!).
When you’re placing visual reminders, it’s important to think about how you use the space in your home. If you put a reminder near the staircase, but you usually have your hands full when you go up or down, it’s not going to be very helpful. Similarly, if you have something in the laundry but rarely go in there, it’s not likely to be a frequent reminder. It can be helpful to talk through strategies with someone in your support network, because they might have new ideas that you haven’t considered.
Obviously this strategy takes a lot of trial and error to get right, and it might need to be changed fairly often! We tend to adjust to our environment, so you might start seeing whatever your reminder is (whether a watering can, a note, a dry pot plant, etc.) as part of the background. If you realise that’s happening, move it. People with ADHD tend to visually skim over mess, so placing it in a distinct location helps too.
Photo by Renáta-Adrienn on Unsplash.
Schedules, reminders and alarms
If your ADHD is anything like mine, you probably just read that subheading and shuddered. Schedules are not my friend. However, if writing down when you need to water your plants will remind you to do it, then great!
When I need to remember something, I find one of the best ways to get it done is to set an alarm or a reminder on my phone. I often use Google Calendar reminders when I have a task due at a specific time, like cancelling a subscription or paying a bill. The good thing about these is that they repeat, so you can create a repeating reminder. Whether your plant needs daily, weekly or even monthly watering, let your phone do the work for you.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask friends or people you live with for help! If planning that far ahead or setting schedules is too daunting, find a friend who likes planning or has solid executive functioning and enlist them. Ask them over for a coffee and spend 15 minutes setting some alarms or events in your phone or calendar. Most people actually like being asked for help. If you know someone who’s also an avid gardener, ask if they can message you when they water their plants. Outsourcing your reminders frees up your own head so that you can focus on other things. After all, looking after plants is meant to be fun, not stressful!
Caring for your indoor plants can seem like a time-consuming or overwhelming chore for those with ADHD. However, with some strategies in place and support from others, it can be a really rewarding hobby that keeps your home looking beautiful. Don’t be afraid to seek help, and keep experimenting with different plants. You’ll find something that works for you.
