Urban Jungle Tips

Back in my 20’s, I considered myself a “black thumb” when it came to plants.  That’s not like a black belt, it’s the opposite:  I killed every single plant that I purchased, I was a serial killer of plants.  I even managed to murder a cactus.  This was frustrating because I love gorgeous, air-cleaning things that grow. 

I turned things around, and so can you.  At last count, I have 34 thriving plants of various types dotted throughout my small living space.  I thought today I’d share some cheating tips for those of you who would like to fake it until you make it, just like I did.

First of all, google – google which plants are toxic to your pets and how to keep specific plants alive.  Actually dig into it, do the homework, figure out where the plant originates and where it thrives.  Is it tropical?  Does it need full light?  Does it need shade? How much water should it get?  How often does it need food? This will determine the placement in your home for optimal survival.  

Next, pick hardy plants – I chose the spider plant as my original focus.  Just one single plant that could handle my mistakes (and there were so very, very many) as I figured things out.  An orchid, for example, would have been a genuinely terrible choice for me.

The self-assembled plant stand, post-stain.

With the spider plant, if it was under-watered the leaves lost a lot of their green coloration and, if really dehydrated, it would start to droop!  Once watered, they’d show visible improvement within hours.  The next day, back to fully green, perked up, and happy.  These plants are very forgiving.  Highly recommended for beginners.

My best tip?  Invest in some self-watering pots.  They take the guesswork out of whether or not your plant is getting the optimal amount of water, which helps me avoid both dehydration and root rot.  That said, it takes about 8 weeks for most root systems to work their way down into the reservoir of water, so don’t think you can just pot it and forget it.  You still have to get through that first eight weeks.

Some plants need extra care, but if you’re genuinely interested in having a little jungle of your own, it’s doable and it’s worth it!  Your efforts will be rewarded, I promise.

Thanks for stopping in, and happy planting!