Plant Care 101: An Introduction

Hello to all of the new plant parents, and welcome to jungle-hood! I hope this brief set of tips and tricks can help you earn that green thumb, and create the jungle oasis you’ve always dreamed of!

Starter Plant Pack

It is of my humble and professional opinion that everyone should start out with a monstera deliciosa, and any kind of pothos. Other good starter plants include ZZ Plants, sanseveria (snake plants), aglaonema, or a cute little aloe plant! All of these tend to do okay while you’re learning the in’s and out’s of plant parenthood!

Water

Plants need it, they thrive on it, but how much is too much? The answer is, it depends on the plant. The general rule of thumb is that once you stick your finger (the handiest tool you own!) down in the soil about 2” and it feels dry… it’s time for a drink. This isn’t the case with all plants. More moisture loving things such as ferns require almost constant moisture to stay alive. Watch your plant closely. Are the leaves starting to droop? Check the water! I highly recommend watering with distilled or filtered water if you’re in an area that has “hard” water. If you’re in a place like Portland, tap is fine. Room temperature water is always best so that you’re not shocking the roots with a blast of freezing cold agua.

Light

It’s always important to consider what kind of light you get before bringing a plant into your space. What directions do your windows face? How much direct sun comes through, and at what times of day? Most plants prefer bright, indirect light which means a super bright room where the sun doesn’t directly shine it’s rays on the leaves. Some plants can handle that, and some can’t! Always do research on your plant before deciding if it’s meant for you!

Soil

Many plants require different soil compositions. Aroids such as Monsteras appreciate a chunkier soil that allows water to pass through without turning to mud. Your plants do not want whatever comes straight out of the bag, believe me you will have mass casualties if you do this. My Aroid mix is pretty basic, and not the best there is, but does the trick: 1 part soil to 1 part orchid bark to 1 part perlite. The orchid bark and the perlite create draining abilities within the soil to allow for water to pass through.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer, believe it or not, is not good for your plants year-round! They go “dormant” in the winter, and don’t push growth at the same rates they did during the Spring and Summer months. Regular fertilizing (ALWAYS per the instructions on the packaging) is a good habit to get in, but remind yourself to back off when the seasons change. It is possible to cause burn on your leaves from too much fertilizer, so always read the instructions carefully.

Pests

You WILL get them. They are a natural part of a plant’s life, and can always be treated. Some (thrips) are harder to get rid of than others (say, spider mites). There are several ways you can help prevent them, however. Regular plant maintenance and catching an infestation early on is going to be your best bet for beating the bugs! Spraying your plant down with neem oil regularly can prevent the appearance of pests, but can be quite stinky! I recommend using Systemic, a granule like substance that you sprinkle on top of the soil and water in! It has no odor, and is highly effective for warding off the unwanted house guests. You can find it HERE! (Please note: This product does not work on spider mites…)

Drainage Holes in Pots

This is non-negotiable. Drill your own hole in the bottom if you need to, but always have drainage. Your plant likes to live in soil, not soup.

Plant Death

The best advice I can possibly give you is this: You are going to kill plants, don’t let that stop you from trying again. GIRL, I still kill plants on the reg. It’s a part of the growing process, death. Plants like to recycle their own energy, and will kill of some older leaves in order to grow new ones. It’s nothing to beat yourself up over, failing is how we learn. We sacrifice a few for the good of the many. If your plant dies, try to figure out why and learn from it. Ask around!

A Word About Buying Plants

Not everything you see on instagram is going to be within your plant caring abilities. Some require ridiculous amounts of humidity, some can exist in a toilet and be happy. Doing your research before bringing a new baby home is wise, or it ends in frustration and heartbreak. Not all spaces are created equal, and some homes aren’t meant to house picky plants! And that’s ok! Learning what works and what doesn’t in your space will lead you in the direction of similar plants who will appreciate your inside environment.

Don’t try to play catch-up with those who have been collecting longer than you, it’s not a competition. People with more experience tend to have more plants, so ask them care questions instead of trying to make your space look just like theirs. In the wise words of a dear friend of mine, “Plants are living things, not furniture.” They require a lot of care and maintenance, and if you buy them because they’re pretty and not because you know how to care for it you’ll wind up like me, with dead plants and a giant, wasted hole in my pocket.

This has been a wee baby guide into what becoming a plant parent looks like. If you have any other questions, leave them in the comments below! Share your favorite newby trick!