It’s that time of year when I start to really crave warmer weather, sunshine, and flowers. However spring just can’t make up its mind. So to usher spring in quicker I have started filling my home with plants!

Last year I became a plant mom for the first time! I had been wanting plants and thought i’d probably not have much luck with keeping them alive. However, I am happy to report that many of them are still with me today! Not all of them survived, but I have learned a few things along the way that I thought might be fun to share with you!

Plants I have kept alive

(photos of these plants are above and are in order from left to right)

Monstera/Split Leaf Philodendron- It looks like a monstera but it is actually called a split leaf philondenron and it is perfection! This plant has done me no wrong. It has been a happy little plant and is loving it’s bright light spot on our hearth.

Peace Lily- This plant was so beautiful up until a few months ago! I think I overwatered it and it started to brown on its leaves. However, new growth keeps happening so I think it is on the mend! Also, this plant had beautiful white lilies on it when I bought it, but they browned and so I simply trimmed them off. I love it’s big leaves all on it’s own.

Snake plant- you can’t kill this thing. I have overwatered and under-watered this thing and it WILL NOT DIE! If you are nervous about becoming a plant mom, try this one! Also, it can do well in low light!

Fern- this baby is wild but I love it! Every time I think I have killed it, it keeps growing! I simply cut away the brown leaves when they show up and it seems to be happy about that. This baby likes moderate light.

White Nerve Plant- I love the white vein detail on this plants leaves. It tends to like low to moderate light and to not let the soil dry out completely in between waterings.

Dracaena- I feel like this plant is going to die on me at any moment, but then it doesn’t. It prefers to have moist soil and not let the soil dry out. So I sometimes water it more than once a week. It also likes moderate light, next to a window.

Pothos- Everyone says pothos are easy plants, however mine is not thriving. I love this thing and I think I need to repot it, but am nervous about that! It prefers moderate light also even though it said it could handle low light. It’s leaves are so pretty…I am determined to get this thing thriving!

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Plants I have killed

Croton- This is a beautiful plant that I keep replacing, however it has not done well in the winter months for me inside. This plant has become diseased twice on me and I think it actually prefers being outside on our porch. I moved it outside back in December (on a covered porch), and to my surprise it is still kicking.

English Ivy- This was also supposed to be easy to keep alive. I’m not sure what happened, maybe I over watered it or it wanted to be repotted? I bought this plant twice also, and killed it twice.

Succulents- I think my lethal mistake was putting them in a plant with no hole in the bottom. But they did thrive for a few months before they bit it.

Tips and Tricks

• Make sure you know where you want to put your plant before you buy it. Does that space get lots of bright light (next to a window), or is it low light (far from a window)? Look at the tag before you buy the plant, it will tell you what type of light the plant prefers and how to take care of it. Also, don’t be afraid to move your plant around if it doesn’t seem to be thriving in a certain location!

• If a room or space has no windows or not a lot of light, it’s best to opt for a fake plant. This is how I killed a few plants before heading out to get some realistic faux plants. Also, if you have real plants in your home…the fake ones look more real!

• Buy larger more well established plants. I seem to have better luck with larger plants living longer and thriving. Larger plants don’t outgrow their container and don’t need to be repotted as often.

• Make sure the container your plant is in has a hole in the bottom. The plants I have killed quickly are plants that have not had a drainage hole in the bottom of its pot. This is key so that even if you over water it, the extra water has somewhere to go. Plants don’t like to sit in standing water.

• Something to be aware of when choosing plants is that some plants are toxic if your pet or child eats the leaves. Make sure to check the toxicity of your plants and be aware in order to keep your kids and pets safe!

When should I water?

The best way to kill plants is to over water them. Most plants only need watered 1x week or when you stick your finger in the soil and it is dry. So pick a day and time to water! Sunday is my water day, but Water Wednesday is a great way to remember too!

Where should I put plants?

Plants instantly make a space feel more cozy. Every room can easily take a plant somewhere in it! Think…

Mantel

Entryway

Side Table

Window Sill

Hearth

Bookshelves

I want plants but can’t afford them right now!

Have no fear, bring the greenery in from your yard! I have been clipping leaves off of my bushes when I just need a little extra green around my house! Depending on the variety, some leaves will keep for a few weeks (in water), while others need to be refreshed every week. Have fun experimenting!

Affordable pots

The most affordable pots I have found are from Walmart and even Kroger! Keep your plants looking uniform in your home by choosing all one color pots! I love using concrete pots. There are so many fun shapes and textures but when grouped together they still go together. Another idea is to buy cheap terra cotta pots at Lowes or Home Depot and paint them! Check out this terra cotta inspo from Liz Marie Blog!

***Don’t get discouraged when you kill a plant! Even expert gardeners kill plants! It just happens, and it is a learning process! Have fun!