How Does Your Garden Grow? Personality Type and Gardening Style

Over the last couple of years, more people than ever have put their green thumb to the test. Gardening has become downright trendy.

Sure, certain environmental factors play a significant role in what kind of garden a person has: where they live, the space they have available to them, the climate, and the amount of time and money they can dedicate. But one factor that helps determine a person’s gardening style is their personality type.

Our gardens are a reflection of our deeper selves. Each aspect of our personality influences the way that we approach planning, planting, and caring for the green spaces that we maintain. For some personality types, their garden is a physical manifestation of some greater purpose. For others, it represents a deep-rooted need for order, beauty, or a connection to nature. For still others, it’s simply a way to grow delicious food.

By studying the link between personality type and gardening style, you can tap into your strengths and address areas that may need a little tending.

Analyst Personality Types

“All gardeners know better than other gardeners.”
Chinese proverb

Architect (INTJ)

Whether it be a small indoor hydroponic system or an intensive food production setup, Architects will inevitably figure out the best techniques and strategies to create efficient, well-designed systems for gardening. They tend to take a more scientific approach to garden management and have what it takes to achieve Master Gardener status.

Architects might benefit from opening up about how they do what they do with their garden – discussing strategies and techniques with others. They may be convinced that they have found the best ways to tackle everyday garden problems, but they can still glean useful insights from the unique experiences of others.

Logician (INTP)

Logicians are the least likely of all Analyst personality types to self-identify as having a green thumb, but this doesn’t stop them from giving it a go.

As gardeners, they can really get into solving the complex issues that they may face. Questions like, “How can I remedy a phosphorus deficiency?” may lead them to study strategies ranging from organic fertilizers and companion planting to creating a special diet for the worms in their vermiculture setup. They may learn a lot, but they also risk becoming distracted from actually solving their problems.

Logician gardeners are likely to tend a few varieties of eye-catching or unusual plants. The novelty of having unique varieties helps sustain their interest in keeping them alive, but they may underestimate what those plants need. They’d do well to research and select hardy species that actually stand a chance at thriving in the growing conditions of their climate zone.

Commander (ENTJ)

Confident gardeners, Commanders are likely to enjoy talking shop when it comes to their planting endeavors. They probably have a well-organized growing system and clear goals about what they want to achieve. Their gardens usually look like they came out of a magazine: think lush bunches of picture-perfect tomatoes and luscious rows of variegated lettuces.

Many people with this personality type think of gardening as a primarily practical pursuit and are goal driven. Commanders might want to consider stopping to smell the flowers that they’ve carefully tended. Gardens are spaces that invite slowing down, and doing so might do them good.

Debater (ENTP)

Nonconformist, even in their own gardens, Debaters love pushing limits. If they live in Zone 5, don’t expect them to shy away from planting something known to thrive in Zone 6 or Zone 7. Why not? It might work. Who is the USDA to say it’s not possible?

Debaters won’t deny the practicality of structured systems or a scientific approach to gardening, but they are more likely to take the attitude of a gambler. They’ll try something new and see if it works. If their excitement wanes, the plants may have to fend for themselves.

If they genuinely want to improve their odds of success, Debaters can tap into their rational minds to identify specific, achievable goals, like making sure that Zone 6 plant gets covered at night.

Diplomat Personality Types

“My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.”
Claude Monet

Advocate (INFJ)

Advocate gardeners are likely to create meditative spaces, viewing their garden as a refuge. They may genuinely care about growing food and maximizing yield, but chances are they do so for altruistic motives.

People with this personality type are among the most likely to trust in their green thumbs, but they may struggle with the physical effort required to maintain a garden that lives up to their expectations. For Advocates, gardening provides an excellent opportunity to work on relaxing their tendency toward perfectionism.

Mediator (INFP)

Mediator gardens are sanctuaries. Only Mediators understand the uniquely creative approach that they take when tending to their plants. They may not be able to precisely explain why they have a garden, other than that they find it deeply therapeutic and appreciate its innate beauty.

In general, they are not particularly meticulous about tending to their favorite plants. Because of this, they may find deeper satisfaction in gardens that require minimal maintenance. Flowering medicinals, herbs, or plants that attract pollinators make for profoundly beautiful gardens while simultaneously fulfilling Mediators’ need for purpose in all that they do.

Protagonist (ENFJ)

Protagonists are enthusiastic gardeners who love sharing their carefully cultivated spaces with others. They are likely to experiment with growing a wide variety of plants and are usually quite systematic in their approach to doing so.

They are likely to value a good harvest, but they also want their garden to be beautiful. The spaces that they work often resemble a carefully tended paradise.

People with this personality type may develop a Master Gardener mentality. They may benefit from exploring other ways in which different gardeners achieve similar goals.

Campaigner (ENFP)

In a Campaigner’s garden, the conviction that everything is interconnected is likely on full display. They are among the personality types who are most comfortable experimenting with a wide variety of plants and are more likely to re-create ecosystems through companion planting or creative garden design.

While their cultivated spaces are deeply therapeutic and spiritual places for them, they love inviting other people in. When someone else appreciates the environments that they have carefully cultivated, it inspires them to keep at it.

Campaigners may want to consider integrating systems that work with nature to minimize maintenance, such as rainwater catchment and natural irrigation design.

Sentinel Personality Types

“Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are.”
Alfred Austin

Logistician (ISTJ)

It’s probable that Logisticians’ gardens are as practical as they are – landscaping is straightforward and well maintained, and traditional food crops are ordered in nice, neat rows.

They’re not the most confident gardeners, but Logisticians work to the best of their ability to maintain what they plant. They are likely to adhere to set maintenance schedules and respect known best practices.

However, when things go wrong (as often happens in a garden), they may blame themselves, especially if they did everything that they were supposed to. Logisticians would benefit from some leeway and self-compassion when things don’t turn out quite as planned.

Defender (ISFJ)

Defenders’ gardens are likely to be beautiful, unassuming, humble, and therapeutic spaces (with practical benefits) that these personalities carefully tend with their keen eye for detail.

As frugal types, they are likely to make do with what they have, dividing, for example, their daffodils each fall rather than purchasing new bulbs. They probably underestimate how good their green thumb is.

Defenders would benefit from allowing themselves to feel pride in what they achieve in the garden. They may also consider allowing themselves the occasional “splurge” to invest in the tools, seeds, and equipment that allows them to grow their skills.

Executive (ESTJ)

Executives are firm believers in keeping up appearances, especially in the garden. It’s likely that they value impeccable landscaping and a nice variety of well-maintained flowers and ornamentals. If they have food crops, they’re likely to prioritize a good harvest.

Unlike other Extraverted personality types, Executives may not be as outgoing when it comes to revealing the ins and outs of their garden. The visible results of their labor are proof enough that they are competent and confident gardeners.

Executives might want to experiment with letting some plants go wild and ceding some control over their garden to Mother Nature. There is great beauty to be found in an unfettered rosebush.

Consul (ESFJ)

Altruistic, generous, and community-oriented, Consuls are likely to create gardens that are beautiful, inviting spaces. They are the most confident green thumbs of all the personality types, and they love to help others improve their gardening skills.

For most Consuls, gardening is a practical matter, though they’re quick to admit the therapeutic value of getting their hands in the dirt. They create eye-catching landscapes and likely have the most colorful front yard in the neighborhood.

Consuls should not fear creating gardens outside of the aesthetic norms of the mainstream. By stepping a little outside their comfort zone, they are capable of turning landscapes into true masterpieces of garden design.

Explorer Personality Types

“There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments.”
Janet Kilburn Phillips

Virtuoso (ISTP)

When it comes to their gardens, Virtuosos are usually hands-on and practical, learning as they go. Their interests may change from one season to the next, making their gardens difficult to predict. They don’t exactly consider themselves adept at gardening, but of all Explorer personality types, they are the most likely to be methodical and scientific in their approach.

In general, they are more likely than most other personality types to prioritize growing food. Sure, they may enjoy a nice lawn or beautiful landscaping – just don’t be surprised if you find some kale among the ornamentals.

Virtuoso gardeners can maximize the potential of their gardens by focusing on creating self-contained systems that include hardy perennials or native species that will thrive after they’ve moved on to their next project.

Adventurer (ISFP)

Out of all sixteen personality types, Adventurers are the least likely to think of themselves as gardeners. This doesn’t mean, however, that they shun gardening altogether.

In fact, Adventurers are likely to find gardening to be a spiritual or therapeutic endeavor. They deeply enjoy creating beautiful spaces, and gardening is an excellent outlet for expressing their artistic and imaginative streak.

Adventurers may struggle with the regular upkeep that many plants need to thrive, however. They may enjoy growing beautifully exotic (but low-maintenance) plants such as succulents, certain orchids, or air plants.

Entrepreneur (ESTP)

Entrepreneurs are generally practical-minded when it comes to gardening. If given a choice between growing flowers or food, they’d likely choose food. A good harvest is probably as important to them as making sure that the garden looks good.

These personalities are not exactly scientific in their approach, however, and they have a tendency to learn as they go. All the same, they are confident in their abilities and are not afraid to challenge themselves.

This drive to test their limits may result in an amazing garden, but it can also result in a mess of weeds if they lose interest in the tedious maintenance required for such an undertaking. They may find it useful and more productive to scale back their plans until they have an in-depth understanding of the commitment required to meet their goals.

Entertainer (ESFP)

Entertainers appreciate aesthetics. This includes their surroundings and the way they garden, preferring unique varieties of plants, ornamentals, and flowers.

Like most Explorers, they’re not likely to obsess about the science of gardening, and they likely lose track of mundane maintenance. Still, they deeply enjoy the flowers while the blooms last.

Entertainers should opt for gardens that require minimum input yet provide maximum beauty. Native wildflowers or hardy flowering perennials would work well outdoors. Inside, they may like rustic plants with impressive blooms, like the Christmas cactus or bromeliads.

A Garden for Every Personality Type

Having a successful garden is possible whether you think you have a green thumb or not. All it takes is an honest assessment of your personal preferences, strengths, and limitations. There is an incredible variety of gardening styles and plants out there – quite literally something for everyone.

How does your garden grow? Let us know in the comments!