4 Simple Secrets to Be a Pro Plant Lady!

In the time of #plantlady you can easily become green with envy over abundance of lush plant photos. Who doesn’t want a gorgeous garden of house plants in their home? It’s what made me buy a plant and kill it several times haha! But guess what, friend that’s not the end! Over the past year with lots of help from my sister who is a true plant goddess, I learned some major secrets. And truth is you CAN go from a brown thumb to a rocking plant mama! I mean it, with these 4 simple secrets you’ll be on your way to being a Pro Plant Lady!

The Plant Lady Journey

My grandmother, mother, and even my sister have a gorgeous garden in their home. They all seem to have this wealth of knowledge that only comes to the “chosen.” Even though I attempted to keep a few succulents and other plants alive, I did not have the touch. So after my last failed plant, that came with a lesson… I figured I needed help. Thankfully the “chosen” isn’t a thing, and yes girl you can learn to keep a plant alive too.

I can confidently share that it’s not always YOU that’s killing your plants. It’s taken major trial and error, asking questions, and watching other successful green thumbs share tips to get here. Over the past year I’ve been able to watch two fiddle leaf trees, a jade, aloe, and at least three other plants thrive under my care. So let’s get to starting your own journey to green thumb life.

4 Simple Secrets

Yes, these tips are actually simple AND tested – no tricks at all. I’m super thankful to my sister who has been a major resource in my plant journey and is allowing me to share these with you! I hope that these are helpful and encouraging starting points as you finally buy that plant you’ve been eyeing. So we’re starting here:

1. Know Your Plant’s Maintenance Level. You may be wondering what that means. In short, don’t buy a plant that is high maintenance. A fiddle leaf fig is not a good idea for your first plant (they are not easy!). If you’re just starting out, purchase a plant that won’t immediately die if you forget to water it for two weeks. Find a plant that requires minimal care so you can build your confidence, and get into a routine. Here are some great indoor plants to start with.
2. Inspect Your Plants BEFORE buying! Ever walk into IKEA or a store and pick up a plant, purchase it, then it dies? Yup, me too. Let’s rewind to when you picked up the plant. Did you inspect it? Things like checking the soil, behind the leaves, or even the roots poking through are important. It’s okay if you haven’t made this a practice, start today! Many times plants already have pests or are not receiving proper care. Be aware by inspecting your plants before you leave the store. Even consider going to an actual nursery to see what quality plants look like.
3. Buy Pots with Proper Drainage. Every plant needs a drainage hole and a way to release excess water. Though there are great decorative pots out there, if they don’t have proper drainage don’t buy them. When your plant sits in water it begins to rot and dies from the roots up. Most times you don’t realize your plant is gone until the leaves are slimy and it’s falling a part. Trust me I know. The better the drainage system the better your plant has the opportunity to thrive and grow.
4. Properly Check Moisture Levels. My number one plant fail was over watering. If it looks dry I’m getting out my watering can. Problem with that is the roots hold a moisture system that you cannot see from the top. So touching the soil is not always a true indicator of what your plant needs. Buying this tool has been a major game changer. It’s adjusted my own tendency of over watering and actually pay attention to what my plants need. I highly recommend purchasing one friend.

If you’re feeling adventurous, go buy that plant and share your journey with me! I cannot wait to hear how it goes for you and if there are any tips you want to share leave them below!