A nice watering can will trick you into feeling like you're good at plant care
You've probably heard the overused adage "dress for the job you want." I've mostly used it as an excuse to buy clothes, but there is some truth to it: Studies show that formalizing your work attire a little can improve focus and even make you feel more confident.
Even if you don't want to change your work wardrobe, it can be both useful and enjoyable to apply the phrase's logic to other parts of your life, ones that you wouldn't mind making a little fancier. Let's say you want to fill your apartment with plants, for instance, but can't seem to remember to water them. Instead of caring for your leafy adoptees with a sake glass you brought home from a restaurant and sometimes use to drink wine, what if you bought an actual, just-for-plants watering can?
If you think you're bad at taking care of plants (and maybe you are, at the moment) having a designated tool exclusively for plant care can help you tell yourself a different story. Even if you're still learning about repotting, root rot, and the delicate art of the leaf spritz, consider formalizing your hobby a bit. Get the watering can for the job you want.
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What is the job you want? Someone who does not murder plants.
Crucially, your watering can does not have to be — and probably should not be — expensive. It's not a great idea to shell out for a fancy Haws number if you're constantly KO-ing succulents. What it should be is small to medium in size, affordable, and, most importantly, visually appealing. It should be nice enough that, when it's not in use, you want to display it proudly on a shelf. This way, it will serve as a constant visual reminder that your plants do, at some point, require moisture to survive — and that you are just the person to provide it. Why wouldn't you be? You're so invested in this project that you have tools!
There is a risk with this approach, which is that you'll be so enthralled by your watering can that you'll water your plants too much. To avoid drowning them (in love), look for the telltale signs of overwatering: a mushy base, yellowing leaves, and an unpleasant, musty odor. If it's helpful, consider keeping a list of the days you've watered your plants — which you will remember to do, thanks to your trusty new watering can — on your fridge. (Nothing fancy. Just a sheet of paper will work.) Just remember to write down the date right after you're done watering.
Of course, you do not need a gorgeous watering can to be good at taking care of plants. Plenty of people have taken care of bountiful indoor forests armed with nothing but an old Checkers cup and a nurturing attitude. If you do not want to buy stuff, that is perfectly fine.
But there's no shame in acquiring one fancy thing if you think it would help your confidence in your plant care endeavors. When I use a tiny metal watering can, I feel like an Instagram star doing a sponsored post for The Sill (I'm not one), just as I feel like a powerful businessperson (I'm not one of those, either) in a structured blazer.
If nothing else, displaying a beautiful watering can will make visitors notice it, which means they might ask you about it, which means you get to talk about your plants.
Chloe was the shopping editor at Mashable. She was also previously a culture reporter. You can follow her on Twitter at @chloebryan.
