My grandma used to love caring for her plants and garden. As a teenager, I did not quite understand the excitement with which she talked about her plants. Fast forward some fifteen years to Charlottesville, Virginia where on a weekend getaway with my friend I bought three plants that started a new journey for me. I had bought plants before, but all died, which convinced me that I was incapable of keeping plants alive. But in Charlottesville, a new chapter began. I have been loving my plant journey since and often think about grandma – if she was alive, we would certainly talk a lot about plants.
So, if you want to give plants a chance, but have been burnt in the past (trust me, I have been there), I am going to share a few tips. It is hard to believe that I am the one sharing tips, but it’s good to hear from someone who is not the ‘maestro’ yet because they will share their hard-learned truths that are relatable to beginners. So, here we go:
1. Buy plants from nurseries or specialized stores: Nurseries and specialized stores are there to sell plants. That’s their main purpose and their business depends on it. Also, their employees tend to work there because they love plants. Why does it matter? Because plants from these stores are of higher quality to begin with and will have higher chances of surviving in your care after you purchase them. In other stores, the plant is just one of the many items sold and as the plant is sitting in the store, it’s likely that no one properly cares for it, so by the time you are buying it, it may be half-dead, you just don’t know it. I bought a few plants from IKEA and all died eventually. Yes, it might have been my care, but when you think about it, the plant was sitting in a room with no natural light and likely no proper care for a long time before I bought it. So, in sum, I think it’s better buying a plant from a place where it is well-taken care of before it goes to your home.
Look deep in nature, and then you will understand everything better.
Albert Einstein
2. Ask for advice regarding care: Let me go back to Charlottesville for a moment. It was the first time when I tried to learn more about the plants I was buying. First, I was with a friend who was already an experienced ‘plant mom’ and gave me useful tips, especially for how to care for the ZZ plant I just fell in love with. Second, in the nursery we visited, I watched my friend and the nursery worker enthusiastically discuss caring tips for several plants. Scarred by my previous experience of killing all my plants and insecure because of my zero knowledge, I was shy to ask for advice at first. But then I did and was so glad I did. This nursery worker, an older, sweet lady, provided me with all the information I needed for the plants I was considering buying. These days, I ask in the store, read the instructions provided with plants, or research caring tips online before I buy a new plant. If the plant requirements and care tips sound too difficult or not like the right fit, I don’t buy it.
3. Buy the right plant for the right space: As beginners, we often want to buy a particular plant because we love the look and we do not consider where it will go in our home. Or we decide on a place in our home first, find a plant we like, and don’t bother to check whether this plant will thrive in that place or not. And that way we set up the plant and ourselves for failure, which then frequently snowballs into ‘I kill all plants’ mentality. If you know where you want to place a plant, make sure you select a plant that will thrive in that place. If it is a sunny spot with direct light, select a plant that likes it. If it is an area with limited sunlight and colder temperature, make sure that you select a plant that will thrive in that environment. If you selected a plant without thinking about where it will go in your home, make sure you read upon or ask in the store what the plant needs and then find the right place for it in your home.
4. Connect with your plant: I know that this sounds a little woo woo, but appreciating the plant’s life and beauty and the energy it brings, fosters better and more intentional care, which leads to more success with keeping your plants thriving. Pause for a moment as you water it to observe any new growth, any areas of concern, and rejoice at the progress the plant made. Also, take a moment sometimes just to look at your plants and appreciate their beauty and energy. You will be better able to recognize what your plants need and adjust your care and, as a side benefit, it is a good mindfulness practice.
5. Don’t get discouraged: You will kill some plants. It’s a given. Even the plant pros have had losses. A number of my plants died during my last move. It was a long drive to a new home with much drier environment. Then, when I was away for a few weeks, I gave inadequate instructions to my alternate care-takers. All of this contributed to some losses. There may also be plants that you will simply find challenging – for me it’s orchids, I still don’t know how to keep them thriving long-term (work in progress). So, if one of your plants dies, don’t get discouraged and learn from the loss, so that you do not repeat the same mistakes again. Do more research, adjust your care, move the plant to a different location…there may be a myriad of ways to improve. The key is to pay attention and try.
So, for my plant beginners, give it a shot. Plants can bring good energy, calm, cleaner air, and beautiful aesthetics to your home. Caring for them can help you stay more grounded and intentional. And you never know, it may be a new hobby in the making.
