We know that when someone is really skilled at growing and maintaining plants, it’s called a green thumb.
But do you know what it’s called when you’re not so good at it? A brown thumb.
Yes, baby, a brown thumb—and we’re not talking about melanin.
But it’s okay. Plants are delicate beings and a lot of times, caring for them means a lot more than just putting a little water in the soil and then letting it go.
Struggling to keep your plants alive? Here are 3 easy and practical ways to step ya plant mom game up!
Be forreal, you’re a beginner! So invest in beginner plants.
I know it’s super tempting to get that wild looking pink plant with all the swirls of colors and fanciful ridges, but do you know what it takes to properly care for that? Probably a lot! And it’s not that you can’t treat yourself to a beautiful plant with a challenge you’re willing to accept, but let’s be realistic for a second. You’re not buying greenery just to let it die—you want to see it thrive! So why not invest in a low maintenance plant with staying power?
Yes, there are no plants that are off limits to you. However, some are better for beginners than others. Here’s a list of beginner-friendly greenery to invest in before you take the leap into something more time consuming and complicated:
- Golden pothos. Large, broad gold-accented leaves that can easily root in a glass of water.
- Spider Plant. Not picky about temperature, sunlight, or water, and can be easily repotted.
- Lucky Bamboo. Loves a little neglect. Thrives under poor sunlight and sporadic watering.
- Peace Lily. Green, glossy leaves that love sunlight, water, and fertilizer only in moderation.
Seek help from all the available resources.
Buying online or from a local nursery is always my favorite option when plant shopping because they always have 1) someone who is super knowledgeable about plants available to talk to you or 2) a how-to guide that arms you with all the information you need to properly care for your new plant baby.
This, of course, is not the standard. Let’s say you get a new houseplant from a grocery store, community garden, or homegoods store, you might not always get the help or information you need to thrive. And that’s ok, too. You can easily get around that by lurking around any popular online plant shop! They typically have digital care guides for various plant types, including the ones they offer.
Some of our favorites:
- HousePlantShop Interactive Digital Care Guide
- Lively Root Plant Care
- Rooted Common Issues Plant FAQs
- PlantVine Guide To Beautiful Plants
Get involved in all types growing, not just plants.
You might not be great at caring for houseplants just yet, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t introduce yourself to all types of plant care and growth at all! Community gardening, composting, hydroponics (growing with just water instead of soil), and pulling weeds are all great ways to learn the ins and outs of growing all types of greenery without putting your highly-regarded Plant Mom title on the line.
The only way to learn is to expose yourself to what you’d like to learn, more and more over time. Don’t be shy, and most definitely don’t be afraid! Get out there, start small, ask for help, and you’ll achieve mastery over houseplant care in no time.
