When I was a kid, I didn’t understand how fortunate I was to have access to a mid-size backyard filled with fruit trees, aloe plants, succulents, roses, and more. My grandfather tended to them, making sure they were well-kept and bountiful. After he suddenly passed away, my mom developed a green thumb of her own and now has an overflowing setup of various succulents and other greenery in that same backyard. Some fruit trees continue to provide delicious treats enthusiastically picked by family and friends.

I’ve been a mere observer of plant care and, unfortunately, didn’t absorb any horticulture knowledge from my family. In my mid-twenties, I took matters into my own hands and started buying plants for my apartment. I confess I wasn’t an attentive plant parent from the jump. Like many new, uninformed plant owners, I usually overwatered my seemingly easy-to-care-for plants (rest in peace). Even then, I didn’t want to give up. 

I eventually researched watering schedules for different plants, what to check for, how to wipe down their leaves, and other tender-loving care tips. I’m in a new stage where I now own 13 plants and want to be thoughtful with them. I didn't know what a few of my gifted plants were until I downloaded an app called PictureThis. To identify a plant, you snap a photo, and the app will pull up the information. It’s mind-blowing that this kind of technology exists. 

I am not a plant expert, but I am becoming a better plant parent and have some resources to help with your plant journey.

Do Your Research

Ease into plant parenthood. Buying plants is exciting. I often find myself eyeing them at Whole Foods or while browsing a local nursery. And it’s easy to go wild and run up your bill. There’s no reason to rush into buying a bunch of green babies when you’re not ready. Doing research and having a foundation of plant education can be the difference between your plant thriving or dying.

Start with assessing your living space and determine what kind of plants are best suited for your environment. Do you primarily have indirect bright light, low light, or a mix? Is your home usually cold and dry, warm and humid, or somewhere in the middle?

Here is a good list of “hard-to-kill” plants for your consideration. Choose which ones you want to add to your home, make a list, and set a budget that includes money for supplies and planters. Decide how much you can spend and how many plants you can handle at one time. If it's only one cutie in the beginning, fantastic. I recommend starting with a snake plant. They are easy to take care of, look fun, and filter indoor air. 

To learn about weekly and monthly care for the plants that you decide will work best in your space, you can either purchase a book on house plants to have a guide on hand, or if the internet is more of your thing, below are some search terms to help with your research:

• indoor plants for low light (or bright light)

• how often to water (insert plant name here)

• the best type of planter for (insert plant name here)

• what to do if my planter doesn't have a drainage hole

• types of potting soil and plant food/fertilizer

• pest and mold prevention

If you run into any issues, don't panic. It doesn't necessarily mean you're a lousy plant parent. Even experts run into some problems. Learning how to revive a plant is part of the fun.

Plant Enthusiasts to Learn From

YouTube is a fun place to learn more about plant care with how-to videos, plant tours, product hauls, and more. Here are some of my favorite YouTubers in the plant space:

• Crazy Plant Guy

• Wild Fern

• Rachel Aust

• Audrie Storme

• Alina Alive

• Jules Acree

Instagram is another great platform for plant inspo. Browse the pages of the following Plantfluencers to get started. 

• Plant Kween

• A Plant Project

• House Plant Journal

• Hilton Carter

• Black Girls With Gardens

• House Plant Club

• Indoor Plants Decor

• Welcome To The Jungle Home

Your Shopping List

If possible, support your local nurseries and plant shops. My two favorite plant shops in Los Angeles are Venice Plants (west side) and Sunset Nursery (east side). If you want to purchase online and have them delivered to your doorstep, I recommend The Sill and Bloomscape. Fair warning, buying online can be more expensive and isn't as fun as exploring a plant jungle in person.

Your gardening product preferences can evolve over time as you continue to learn about your plants. Here are recommendations that are great for beginners. 

Disclaimer: These are affiliate links, which means I'll earn a small commission if you decide to purchase from the link. Thanks so much for your support!

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