A.K.A. Hope for Brown Thumbs like Me!

As a home stager, I often use high-end faux greenery to stage a home. They are portable, don't die, and if dusted regularly, can look quite warm and inviting. But sometimes you just need the real thing. Here in Connecticut the leaves are falling, squirrels are going "nuts" and there is a crisp edge to the air. What a great time to bring some greenery inside. Many plants even make the air healthier, and surely there are feng shui benefits to bringing nature inside.

You don't to be a budding horticulturist to have a lovely indoor garden. Sure, you could do a whole bunch of research become a resident expert, or just "do it" and get on with things. The key is to pick the right plant, the right pot, and make a commitment to care for your plant.

The Plant

There are some popular choices for beginners. If you're willing to "mist" your plant on a regular basis, select trees or vines from the tropics or sub-tropics (but avoid plants with pointed leaves...not good feng shui). Figs and weeping Figs are low maintenance if you don't move them around and avoid over-watering (once per week is fine). Rubber Trees are low maintenance, but their sap can be poisonous for kids and pets.

You may not know what kind of plant to get, but you do know how much light comes in your window, how much room you have for a plant, and if you have kids or pets to contend with. You also know what you are capable of in terms of plant care.

Now, armed with all this information, go to a reputable local nursery and ask them what they recommend. Don't be ashamed to admit you're a beginner! They're the experts, after all, and they will be thrilled to help you select your plant and answer any questions you may have.

The Pot

There are many pots to choose from. First priority is to make sure it functions well. Is it large enough for the plant to grow? Are you the type of person who may need a self-watering pot (you know who you are!)? Tip: you can add an "Adjustable Reservoir" to an existing pot. If the pot does not have a drain hole in the bottom, just add gravel underneath the potting soil.

Now what good is a fully-function pot if it's not pretty! There are many colors, shapes and styles to choose from. Be true to your decorating style, and don't be afraid to use color! Add staggering heights around the room for more visual interest.

Want to dress up your plant? How about adding decorative pebbles on top of the soil, or creating a dramatic up-lighting by inserting a mini-pot inside the bigger pot with a light point upwards? Use your imagination!

The Care

The whole idea here is to minimize the time needed to keep your plant alive. Hopefully you followed the advice of the nursery employee who helped you select a low-maintenance plant. Follow the care instructions for your particular plant for best results.

When you first bring your plant home, use a good potting soil. Most potting soils include everything your plant will need to stay healthy. Let's face it; busy people are not going to stick to a strict schedule of fertilizing and feeding their plant on a regular basis. Prune your plant as needed, and occasionally dust off the leaves. You may want to stick it in the tub for a shower periodically to keep spider mites away.

Then commit to watering it on a regular schedule. Follow watering instructions based on the type of plant. Believe it or not, over-watering can be worse than under-watering (note: don't use water from sodium-based water softeners).

The Therapy

There are those who are convinced that talking to your plant is therapeutic for your plant. While it may not be scientifically proven, I figure it can't hurt. If nothing else, it's cheaper than a good therapist, so go right ahead - plants are very good listeners. Naming your plant is optional.

On a personal note, after researching for this article, I boldly went into my local nursery, explained my brown thumb dilemma, and came home with a weeping fig (named Benji). We are getting along very well, and I am feeling much better about Connecticut winters! I think I'm going to make it after all.