The Top Five Secrets for Success with Houseplants!

by Lillie Ammann
Houseplant hobbyist for more than 30 years, retail plant store owner for 4 years, and professional interior landscaper maintaining interior plants for more than 300 customers for 16 years

People often think they're born with either a "brown thumb" or a "green thumb." But I learned more than a quarter of a century ago that brown thumbs can turn green with just a little applied knowledge.

While there are many "secrets" green thumb gardeners can claim for their success, following my top five tips will destroy your reputation as a "brown thumb" or a "plant killer."

#5. People tend to repot too often into pots that are too large. In most cases, the diameter of the pot should be about 1/5 of the height of the plant (a 5' tall plant should be in a 12" diameter pot).

#4. Keeping plants clean and free of dead leaves and debris will improve both their health and appearance. It will also help you spot insect and disease problems sooner so you can take corrective action if needed. Just trim off the dead leaves and wipe down the leaves with a damp paper towel. You can use a little insecticidal soap on the paper towel as a preventive measure if you like.

#3. More plants die from overwatering than underwatering. When a plant is suffering from lack of water, you'll probably notice the signs: wilted, dried, and/or curling leaves. If you water the plant thoroughly as soon as you see it's dry, the plant is likely to recover although it will suffer damage from the death of some of the roots. However, an overwatered plant may show no symptoms until the roots have rotted so far that the plant will die no matter what you do. Ideally, you should water your plant exactly the right amount at exactly the right time, but if you're not sure - don't water.

#2. There is no such thing in nature as a "houseplant." Plants were not created to live inside buildings in artificial light and air conditioning. The difference between the light outside a glass window and the light that comes through the glass is astronomical when measured by a light meter; the light decreases geometrically a few feet from the window. "Low light" plants still need plenty of light, and "closet plants" won't live in a closet. But a plant right against a glass window can get burned, and the direction the window faces makes a difference too. So you have to be careful where you put your plants to get the best possible light exposure.

#1. Many of the plants that plant owners blame themselves for "killing" never had a chance to live indoors. The plants were grown in full sun in open fields because they can be grown and harvested quickly and cheaply. Plants sold in flea markets, discount stores, and other bargain outlets are often brought to market in the most economical and fastest way possible. If you thought you got such a great deal because you saw "the exact same plant" at the nursery or specialty plant store for three times the price as you got your plant for at the flea market ... did you happen to notice that the plant you bought was outside while the plant in the nursery was in a greenhouse? Maybe the plant store offered a guarantee but there was no guarantee at the outdoor vendor. The nursery worker could tell you how to care for your purchase while the flea market vendor didn't even know it's name ...

In all my years in business, I can't begin to tell you how many times I was asked to identify a plant and describe its care - or diagnose a problem with it - because someone had thought he was saving money buying a plant at the hardware store or a roadside vendor. Often the plants died because they simply weren't suitable as houseplants. But instead of realizing they had the wrong plant to begin with, people said, "I just have a brown thumb," or "Everybody knows I'm a plant killer." If they had chosen their plants more wisely, those folks would have been much more successful, and their "brown thumbs" might well have turned into "green thumbs."

Learn more at The Secrets of Fantastic Houseplants