Everything You Need to Buy or Find to Become a Houseplant Green Thumb

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I love my houseplants. I think at last count I have 38 in the downstairs of my house alone.

The NASA Clean Air Study was a project led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in association with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) to research ways to clean the air in space stations. Its results suggested that, in addition to absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis, certain common indoor plants may also provide a natural way of removing toxic agents such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air.

The study further suggested that efficient air cleaning is accomplished with at least one plant per 100 square feet (9.3 m2) of space, but was conducted under sealed space station conditions and research conducted since has shown mixed results in the home or office. (Wikipedia)

I’m all about clean air, and mostly I just love the added life that plants bring to any space. My grandmother is a Master Gardener from Purdue University and taught me everything I know. She has Alzheimers now, so it feels particularly sweet to be carrying on her obvious legacy.

Step One: PICK YOUR PLANT

1 // Four Pack Assorted 4” Plants — You’ll receive four plants from this collection of easy to grow options—included in collection are peace lily, fern, snake plant, devil's ivy, parlor palm, or dieffenbachia.

2 // 12” Swiss Cheese Monstera — I have found this extremely easy to grow and super distinct (and impressive) looking.

3 // 4 ft Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree — Here’s the honest truth, Fiddles are not easy to care for. BUT, they are so trendy and sculptural and fun. I have a hard time finding this tree shape locally (I can generally only find bushes), so this is a great option!

Step Two: GATHER SOIL AND PLANT CARE PRODUCTS

4 // 3-IN-1 Moisture, Light, pH sensor — This is a cheap and easy tool that will help your plants THRIVE. You’ll feel informed and extra smart with this little gadget.

5 // Fertilizer — Another inexpensive way to help your plants look healthy and grow quickly. You can also just grab Miracle-Gro from the grocery or hardware store!

6 // Small Watering Can — I love this one because there is a lip at the top that keeps water from spilling out everywhere! In addition, I love these trays (they’re huge boot trays, so they hold lots of plants!) to keep water off my furniture—I keep plants on every flat surface. ;)

7 // Potting Soil — I always keep a fresh bag of this on hand. Have you ever had a plant that doesn’t seem to accept moisture when you water it? I have! It seems to happen a lot with plants from big-box stores and old plants. Your soil can actually become hydrophobic (where water just pools on top of the soil) when it is depleted of nutrients. You have two options at that point, either repot the plant in fresh soil (more time-consuming but better in the long run) OR you can throw a saucer under the plant and water it from the bottom, giving the plant plenty of time to soak up the water.

Step Three: Choose Your Containers!

This is the fun part! You can use almost anything as a planter. If there is no hole drilled at the bottom, make sure to put a shallow layer of pebbles at the bottom so the soil will drain. Most plants hate soggy roots.

Top: 5” Terracotta Triangle Pot

Middle: 6” Stripe and Dot Pot

Bottom: 3 Pack Terracotta Saucers — I put these under almost every pot I have! I hate watering my plants and getting that soily water all over my furniture!

Step Four: Learn and Read

This is an underappreciated part of becoming a green thumb! You get to join a whole bunch of other people in a hobby that can be loved life-long. I enjoy picking up vintage gardening and houseplant books from thrift stores and also reading new releases regarding plants! There are so many good ones right now.

Practical Houseplant Book // New Plant Parent // Propagating Plants // many, many, many more

5 Books That Will Change Your Life

Books are a uniquely portable magic. – Stephen King

Here’s a little life-changing math for you. If you read for 15 minutes every day, that would end up being just over 90 hours of reading over the course of a year. HOLY COW. I did a little googling, and it turns out it takes about 7 hours to read an average 250 page book. That means, if you read just 15 minutes a day, you could read 13 WHOLE BOOKS in your extra time over the course of a year.

—> rumor has it you can get through a book more quickly listening to it than reading it. Audible is a great option and you can get two free books right now!

You could catch those 15 minutes while you wait at the doctor, while you wait for the subway, while you’re waiting in the car-line to pick up your kids. You could catch 5 minutes while you eat breakfast and 10 minutes at lunch. However you want to do it, great, but I’m guessing you have 15 stray minutes that you could wrangle.

Keep a book in your purse, or do what I do and load the FREE Kindle app on your phone. I use KINDLE UNLIMITED (<—free 30 day trial!) to download free or cheap e-books and I always check Anne Bogel’s blog for discounted e-reads. This means I always have a book to read, even if I forget everything…because I never forget my phone. 🤷‍♀️

So, this is a life-changing habit as it is, yeah? Well, these 5 books are also practically guaranteed to push you, prod you, soothe you, and encourage you to keep going on your path. These are 5 of my current very favorites.

1. The Gift of Being Yourself — This is a short (but DENSE) read that has shifted my life ENORMOUSLY. Pick this one up and shove it in your purse.

2. You Are The Girl For The Job — If you are feeling stuck or tired or unsure, Jess is the best hype-girl and cheerleader that will always point you to Jesus.

3. The Next Right Thing — The only thing better than the podcast. ;)

4. Beginner’s Pluck — This book is hilarious and reminds me that purpose isn’t something to find but something to do every day. This book will pull you out of a funk fast…the plucky yellow cover with Liz on a Vespa helps, obviously.

5. Made For This — Jennie Allen does big things. She’s a vision-caster and she has the nerve to build what she sees. In this book, Jennie helps YOU uncover what you’re made for.

From My Many Open Tabs 5

I got to surprise my girl Jess Connolly at the first stop on her tour for her newest book You Are The Girl For The Job. It’s SUCH a special and important book, and I mean that with every bit of myself…Jess has always, always been the cheerleader for this truth in my life.

Surprising her in Nashville was a last-minute decision. I got a bee in my bonnet about it, and Mike said GO. YOU MUST. So I did. One of our cars doesn’t have air conditioning, the windows don’t work, and the radio is non-functional. That’s the car I drove. ;) But, that drive down to Nashville was precious to me. I had a notebook on the passenger seat, and I scrawled so many little notes as I kept my eyes on the road. I’m trying to re-transcribe those notes now, and OH MY GOSH WHAT DO THEY SAY?! I know they were genius thoughts for my next book. 😂

If you haven’t preordered You Are The Girl For The Job, go now. There are also a ton of special pre-order gifts.

BECAUSE SOMEONE SHOULD BENEFIT FROM MY 56748 OPEN TABS:

Stop what you’re doing and start the 1619 Podcast from The New York Times. The listening is a pleasure (quiet, lovely, engaging)…the subject matter is devastatingly important.

She was an Internet prodigy. Practically a preteen at her first Fashion Week. Now, she answers, “Where Would I Be Without Instagram?”

I’ll Sparkle Pop Rampage, yes please. Rend Collective came out with kids music that does not annoy! ALLLLLL the praise hands.

Ruth Reichl is a national treasure.

Very convenient that my hobby may help me live for a good long time.

I’m leading a book club! Of my own book! It’s been a year since Preach to Yourself was published, and I’m celebrating by teaching through it for a whole month. Join in on the life change. If you need a copy, get a $10 signed copy! Do you already have a copy and/or $10 to spare? SPONSOR a copy for a woman who has indicated need!