For those who want to learn more on how to keep plants alive before jumping into all the starters and seeds, it might be best to start with an indoor plant. While these require their own special light sources, soil types, and watering schedules, your indoor environment is much easier to control than outside.
To get some insight on how beginner plant parents can help their green ones thrive, Mary Dunlap, owner of Wilder, the local plant shop and gallery, says shopping small is best when first learning how to grow. “Plants are so much cheaper at Home Depot or Lowe’s, but you are not getting personal attention from the person who’s selling it to you. There you’ll pick up a plant, take it home, and hope for the best,” she says.
To avoid a false start, shop at local plant stores rather than big-box shops. This way you’ll know your plant was well-loved from the start. Wilder, for example, has tons of flourishing, easy-care plants that are great for beginners. “Any type of snake plant is gonna be great for a beginner. Any type of philodendron is gonna be great and easy-care. I would say also pothos. If you forget to water them, they’re not gonna keel over and die,” she says.
That’s just the start. While snake plants and pothos are common picks for newbies, Mary’s personal favorite plant right now is a pencil cactus, and her favorite things to grow are desert plants. “I just really gravitate towards palms and cacti,” she says.
No matter what plant you decide to start with, your key to success is research. Just like with planting produce, growing plants is a process of trial and error, but that doesn’t mean you can just buy a plant and hope that it thrives. You need to do some digging to figure out what each plant needs. “I really love plant books. Plantpedia is my favorite. It’s got every common house plant and tells you where it’s from, what its natural habitat is like, the best care tips, how to propagate it, and more. I’ve read that thing cover to cover many times,” Mary says.
“The internet is number two. I search the web all the time for plant care tips, especially for a new plant that I get in the shop and I don’t know much about. I’ll do extensive research. What does this plant need? How can I position it or water it best or give it plant food? What is the soil that it’s in? Is this the best soil for it?”
“I encourage all people, whether you’re a beginner or not, if you get a plant and you don’t know what to do with it, just research it. There’s so much information out there about it.”
Mary says asking friends and family with green thumbs are great resources too. When in doubt, Mary is also always happy to help locals. “I love that part of my job of setting somebody up, especially a newbie. This girl just showed up and bought a pothos and had no clue what to do with it. I set her up for success. I wouldn’t have let her buy a plant that was really hard to take care of. I sold her a plant that was easy care, and I feel really good that she’s gonna have no problem with it,” Mary says. “I think that personal attention is what newbies need.”
Once you get started, Mary can help you through any step of your journey, including repotting. “If it’s healthy, you can bring your plant in and we will repot it for you with our really great house plant soil.” She can also help diagnose issues with your plant. “I will have them text me or DM me and show me pictures of what’s going on. I do that in person as well. People come in all the time and say, ‘I have this plant, can you look at it and see what’s wrong with it?’ And I’ll help diagnose it.”
If she doesn’t have the answers, she can at least point you in the right direction. “If somebody asks me for something I don’t have, I always direct them to another business that I know would,” Mary says. “I just really love this community and love being a part of this.”
A lot goes into growing plants and produce alike, but the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Instead, let it be what it can: fun. Start small, make mistakes, and learn as you go. You will get better. With a little bit of time and determination, you’ll get exactly where you imagine yourself being: surrounded by lushness and green.
_________________
For all things plants, Mary Dunlap at Wilder is your gal. She always has fun events happening in her shop and around town, so follow her on Instagram for updates.
To be inspired to take the growth outside, try this article.
