I’ve killed many picky plants, now I avoid them. I choose ones that don’t require precise conditions to survive and thrive. I give plenty of light, use breathable mediums, and am mindful of not overwatering. It’s easier now that I work a lot, but when I had more time, I drowned several.
A moisture meter helps take out much of the guesswork. I also prefer clear plastic pots inside decorative containers so I can see what’s happening with the plant roots. Google and YouTube are fantastic for info, then it’s just trial and error. Don’t give up. Once you master plant care, you won’t ever look back.
@Vail
Love this advice. My issue is I’ve unintentionally killed two spider plants; one has only two leaves left. It’s not completely dead, but it’s heartbreaking.
It’s really messed with my confidence because they are easy for others, and labeled as ‘unkillable.’ My other ‘unkillable’ plant, a cast iron plant, is turning brown.
@Nori
Wow, I always thought spider plants were unkillable? No wonder you’re lacking confidence. I don’t have much else to suggest other than what I mentioned earlier. You might want to find someone to coach you for a bit to build your skills? If you can’t find anyone, maybe we could arrange something over FaceTime or so? DM me and we can work something out.
@Vail
I will definitely DM you at some point. If you can help with my spider (I shared extra info in this thread and on my posts; it got declined from plant clinic), I’d appreciate it because I really want a spider plant.
@Nori
Yeah, I totally get it. If your spider plants are struggling, I’d be interested in your watering routine and the lighting conditions they’re in.
I also find that the free app ‘Planta’ is incredibly useful. It helps me keep track of my plants and customize my watering schedule based on their specific needs. Plus, it alerts me if the light is off!
@Skyler
They are in low to medium indirect light, getting a bit from outside, but also from the grow lights on my fish tanks. I also light that portion of the room.
I moved it to the windowsill, but it’s still not doing well. In the beginning, I watered often, then switched to watering less frequently but for a long time. I tried repotting, but one died after that, leaving the other with only two leaves. It’s not recovering. No sign of root rot, just a few gnats, but I’ve been able to manage that.
@Nori
That’s rough. With so many changes, it’s challenging to know what helps and what hurts. I’m dealing with similar issues with my philodendron now. If the last spider plant isn’t doing well, it might be worth considering getting new ones (or finding free plants) to start fresh. People say spider plants are low-light tolerant, but I find they aren’t truly happy in such conditions, so that could have contributed to the original problem. Best of luck!
It’s like a big scientific experiment! There’s definitely a lot of trial and error involved.
I read a lot about what plants grow well in my area, but I also pay attention to what my neighbors are growing.
I avoid buying a bunch of plants at once without a plan; I start with what’s considered ‘easy,’ master that, then move onto the more challenging plants.
I also look out for free plants or bulbs from people and try growing from seeds. It’s more challenging but also cheaper.
Experience matters. Each plant can show you how it feels. You need to learn to interpret that. If a plant dies, investigate why and adjust your approach.
I’ve certainly killed my fair share of plants, but I’ve gotten much better at understanding their needs. I avoid buying large plants and stick to smaller ones so I can tell if they’ll thrive here or not. They seem to adapt more easily when they’re younger.
One thing I learned is to really observe your plants. You’ll pick this up over time. There isn’t a perfect care guide since every plant is in a unique spot, which will be different from everyone else’s. Your plants will adapt to your particular situation. For taking cuttings or that sort, you can find good info here or on YouTube. There are also very knowledgeable groups for specific plants you can join on social media.
If you’re new, consider seeking out more inorganic substrate mixes. I mostly use these for all my plants, which leads to well-aerated roots and lowers root rot risks even with heavy watering. The downside is that you’ll need to water more often, as they dry out quickly. Some plants may require watering twice a day. I mainly use akadama, gravel, and pine bark, with a little regular potting soil mixed.
I’ve learned mainly through the same process you are using… by losing many plants. It’s part of the learning experience. One by one, as you discover plants you really want, you’ll research their natural habitats, growth habits, and how to propagate them. If a plant fails, it may also lead to the discovery of various issues. I recommend you get a moisture meter. There’s no such thing as overwatering if you’re using the right technique; it’s about how long the plant stays too wet. Remember that even experienced plant owners face losses due to environmental factors; it’s all part of the process.
Here’s something a perfectionist like me wishes I’d known: you could follow every care rule and some random pest or event could still take a plant down. Over time, those losses will reduce as you improve your skills, just like any skill. Initially, I focused on basic watering and lighting, and I’ve always appreciated the beauty of plants, so pruning became natural. But for nearly 10 years, I overlooked what chunky soil meant. Oh, and even though grow lights aren’t aesthetically pleasing, adding a few can be a big help.
It took some time, but I learned which plants enjoy being in my care and which do not. It’s trial and error. For example, I bought a calathea, and, while I tried hard to keep it alive, it just wasn’t worth the effort. Meanwhile, a random string of hearts keeps thriving. If a plant needs constant attention, it doesn’t last long here. So I’ve figured out which plants I should probably avoid in the future.
I research before buying and only go for plants I know can tolerate neglect. I find plants that clearly signal their needs when it’s time to water, and that do well in a variety of light—this way I can rearrange furniture without worry.
Just remember, plants are just plants. While I hate to throw them away because it feels like a waste of money, it does happen sometimes.
I researched as much as I could, focusing on discount racks where plants are near their last breath. This approach helped me learn to care for them in several ways.
It saves money so I don’t feel pressure to keep an expensive plant alive (creating space for mistakes)
If a plant dies, I don’t feel as bad since it was likely going to be discarded anyway.
It’s a hardcore trial and error technique. When you rescue a struggling plant, you must quickly learn how to keep it alive, which helps ease the anxiety of messing up.
Propagation is great—I propagate my plants as often as I can to have backups if one dies. (Plus, it reduces the overall cost of plants when you can produce new ones.)
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