Ive always assumed the fates did not grace me with a green thumb or a talent for plant care.
She coaxed them back to health the way people tend to baby birds.
Our apartment was a jungle, and she made it look easy.
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So when we graduated and moved to different cities, I tried to acquire my own leafy menagerie.
The plants I brought home seemed to hate me, and they proved their point by promptly dying.
This was tragic, for sure, but it wasnt a surprise.
I ignore dirty dishes, thelaundry, and dust bunnies for weeks when life is busy.
Then, in the quiet spells, I emerge to restore order until it all unravels again.
Few plants can withstand such a haphazard love.
I assumed I was destined for a plant-free life.
Pretty much anyone can get indoor plants to thrive, Allen tells SELF.
Its just a matter of choosing the right ones.
Dont buy plants based on looks alone.
But your brand-new plant may require living conditions you cant provide.
So before bringing home a plant, take stock of your environment.
The most obvious feature is light.
That gives you the most options for the types of houseplants you could bring in.
Temperature and humidity are also critical.
Figure out your plant personality.
Your plant shouldnt just match your home environment but your personality and lifestyle, Esguerra says.
Allen goes a step further and compares plant partnership todating.
Ask yourself: Do you feel it’s crucial that you be always working on the relationship?
Would you rather meet for a regularly scheduled rendezvous?
Do you value your independence?
Or do you want to give your attention to that special someone all the time?
There are plants for all kinds of folks, says Oakes, whose apartment hosts more than1,000 of them.
And there are options for people who often travel or lean toward neglect, like me.
Give yourself permission to start simple.
Study your plants when they look their best.
It helps to familiarize yourself with how it looks and feels when its healthy.
Also, notice cues like droopy or soft leaves or stalled growth.
Theyre signs your plant might need some TLC.
Plants will tell you exactly what they need if you pay attention, Esguerra says.
This is especially helpful with finicky plants.
Commit to lifelong learning (for as long as you have plants).
Theres plenty of detailed plant-care advice out there for those who want to dive deep.
Oakes and Esguerra maintain info-packed YouTube channels andInstagram accountsthat cover everything from growing specific species to controlling pests.
Oakes recently launched an online course for houseplant care called theHouseplant Masterclass.
Treat death as a learning experience.
Some of your plants will die, but dont get discouragedget curious, says Esguerra.
Are all your high-light plants dying?
It could be that your living room is not as sun-drenched as you thought.
Are you over-watering, or are you killing through neglect?
The answer can help you figure out which plants fit best with your rhythm, Allen says.
