Keep Your Greenery Alive (Mostly) and Your Sanity Intact

When my boyfriend and I finished building our house and finally moved in, one of the first things I wanted to do was to fill it with plants. I’ve always loved how greenery can make a space feel alive, cozy, and just better. But here’s the thing: I’m a little lazy regarding gardening, and my track record with plants isn’t exactly stellar. I’ve learned the hard way that not every plant thrives under my care—and that’s okay.

But I am not giving up, if you’re like me, someone who adores plants but isn’t winning any "Green Thumb" awards, you might find my experience a little helpful. Time has taught me a few things and I’m going to share them with you. Keep reading if you are interested in learning the tried-and-true tips for bringing plants into your home without turning it into a full-time job.

Then #1 thing to consider before you buy your first plant

The key to success is research. Instead of grabbing the first pretty plant you see, take a little time to learn about native varieties or those that naturally thrive in your local climate. These plants are already adapted to your environment, which means they’ll need less fussing over.

For example, I discovered that certain leafy greens and succulents do well in my dry, sunny living room, while others… well, let’s just say they didn’t make it out alive.

Getting Started with Indoor Plants

I love how plants can elevate the look of a space, there is just something so pretty with the pop of green that they provide. However, when furnishing and decorating your home you need to keep in mind where you might want plants to go. This will help you decide the kinds of plants that you can get.

I learned the hard way that not all of them need the same amount of light. If you aren’t careful, you can burn some or starve them.

An easy tip is to install shelves or mantles in areas of your home that receive direct sunlight during the day. This will allow you to keep species that usually produce pretty flowers.

Other humidity-loving plants like sword ferns are perfect for hanging in humid spaces that don’t receive much light, like bathrooms.

This has taken me a lot of trial and error for not following my tip above. I would just buy pretty stuff and put them wherever.

Designing with Planters and Creative Placement

The right planter can transform a plant into a statement piece. I love mixing different styles of ceramic pots for a modern look, and woven baskets for boho vibes. I have also considered macramé hangers for my trailing greens, but I’m still not sure I can make them work with my space.

A little pro tip: I know that for some of you, it will be obvious and you might think I’m dumb but I tried following a trend a couple of years ago where I saw people repurposing cute items that they didn’t use anymore and my old teapot looked soooo cute with a red anthurium in it. I wish I had a photo to show you. However, I forgot a little but very important detail, where was the excess water going to come out of? I guess what I’m trying to say is, remember to open up a hole at the bottom before you put your plants in.

I’ve also found that plants can be used to define spaces within a home. I’ve used a tall plant stand with trailing greens to subtly separate the living and dining areas. For the coffee table, a mini zen garden adds a calming vibe, and herb planters in the kitchen serve both a decorative and practical purpose.

There’s a funny story about a stunning plant with bright red flowers that my in-laws gifted me as a housewarming present. It was gorgeous—but I had no idea what it was called. After fruitless Google searches like “red flower plant with pointy leaves” and a haphazard care routine (too much water? Not enough light?), the plant met an untimely demise. That little disaster taught me two valuable lessons: ask for help when you’re unsure about a plant’s needs because apps don’t always know everything and stick to varieties you know or can easily research.

Easy Care and Clever Tools for Plant Parents

Lazy plant parents, unite! Keeping greenery alive doesn’t have to be a chore. I’ve discovered several simple tools and techniques that make plant care a breeze:

Watering Globes: These little helpers slowly release water so you don’t have to hover over every plant.
Moisture Meters: A $10 gadget that tells you exactly when your plant needs water—no more guesswork!
Slow-Release Fertilizer Sticks: Just pop one into the soil every few months and forget about it.
Terra-Cotta Pots: Affordable, breathable, and great for catching excess drainage, so you won’t ruin your floors.

Speaking of fertilization, I'm currently in full rescue mode with my fern, which I accidentally treated like it was in a fertilizer competition. Now it's recovering from a nutrient overdose, and I'm gently flushing its soil and giving it fresh dirt—basically its own plant detox. So, just as it happens with humans, too much of something good can also be bad. Overfeeding can turn your green friend into a nutrient-saturated mess with burnt leaves, so sometimes less really is more.

If you’re going to wing your plant care routine, do it with style. Self-watering planters, for instance, have reservoirs that can nourish your plants for weeks. Hydroponic kits let you grow herbs or veggies without any soil, and a good pair of pruners is perfect for trimming away sad leaves. These tools have turned my sporadic watering and occasional forgetfulness into a much more manageable routine.

Cultivating Your Own Edible Garden

One of my favorite ways to bring life into our home is by growing edible plants from seeds I already have in my kitchen. Yes, you read that right—those avocado pits, lemon seeds, and tomato guts you’d normally toss can become your next garden project. Best of all, it costs nothing but a little patience and creativity.

Next time you slice into a pepper, squash, or tomato, save the seeds! Rinse off any pulp, let them dry on a paper towel for a day or two, and voilà—free seeds. While citrus seeds (like those from lemons or oranges) might need extra TLC—such as wrapping them in a damp paper towel and sealing them in a bag for a week—many other seeds sprout with minimal fuss.

I must confess that my first attempt at growing papaya seeds ended in a moldy disaster. After some research, I learned that soaking the seeds overnight and then planting them in compost works much better. Even so, only half of mine survived—gardening is a humbling hobby!

Here’s another pro tip: regrow veggie scraps! Green onion roots placed in a jar of water will sprout new shoots in days, and even romaine lettuce bottoms can do the trick. It’s like magic for lazy gardeners.

Growing from seeds isn’t an instant gratification process. Some seeds sprout within a week, while others may take months. I remember waiting forever for my tomato seeds to germinate, but when they finally did, I felt like a proud plant scientist. I even label my pots with dates to keep track of progress—especially for those slow-budding citrus.

Not every seed will thrive, and that’s okay. I now have a mix of thriving herbs, sad-looking pepper seedlings, and a stubborn lemon plant that’s just a stick with a few leaves after six months. But the wins—like plucking fresh basil for pasta or snipping green onions for omelets—make the occasional fail worth it.

Beyond saving money, growing from seeds feels like a tiny rebellion against wastefulness. It’s also a fun way to teach kids (or curious partners) about where food comes from. And let’s be real: there’s something deeply satisfying about eating a salad garnished with greens you nurtured from scraps.

At the moment my favorite plant in my house happens to be a tomato plant that is about to let me have an apple-sized tomato.

Incorporating plants into your home decor doesn’t have to be complicated. As someone who’s still figuring it out, I’ve learned that researching native plants, styling them in simple pots, and using smart tools can make all the difference. And hey, if a plant doesn’t make it, don’t stress. Swap it out for something sturdier and try again. Our house now feels alive, fresh, and full of personality—not because I’m a perfect plant parent, but because I’ve embraced the messy, rewarding journey of learning as I go.

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