We all love plants, right? But sometimes, despite our best intentions, those leafy friends on our balconies or in our living rooms just don’t seem to thrive. We pick the prettiest flowers, water them when we “feel like it,” and hope for the best. Sound familiar?

Over ten years of plant parenting, we’ve learned that loving plants isn’t enough—they need the right care and understanding. Today, we’ll share four life lessons that can help every plant we bring home thrive.

01 Choosing Plants Like Clothes: Look Beyond Looks

It’s easy to get mesmerized by the colors and shapes at a flower market. But if we only pick “Instagram-worthy” plants without thinking about their needs, most will struggle to survive.

For example, we once bought a high-mountain azalea, only to see it wilt within two weeks. Why? It needed cool day-night temperature swings that our warm indoor environment couldn’t provide.

Why we often buy the wrong plants:

- Climate mismatch: Some plants need specific temperature or sunlight conditions that might not match our home environment.

- Care difficulty: Rare or expensive plants like orchids or certain succulents require advanced care, better suited for experienced hands.

- Marketing tricks: Some sellers disguise ordinary plants as exotic varieties—so always verify before buying.

Tips to avoid mistakes:

- Check the plant’s “passport”: note the species name and look up its habits.

- Prioritize hardy, common varieties that adapt easily to indoor life.

- Consider placement: don’t put sun-loving plants in shady rooms or moisture-loving plants in dry spots.

02 Watering Wisely: Avoid Guesswork

We’ve all heard the saying: “Plants are killed by too much love.” Watering on a whim can harm plants more than help them.

For instance, treating a marsh-loving plant like a succulent can dry it out, while overwatering a moisture-loving plant can rot its roots.

Common watering mistakes:

- Watering at noon under direct sun can burn leaves.

- Leaving water in trays leads to root rot.

- Following a rigid schedule without considering weather or soil moisture can be deadly.

Better approach:

- Water according to season: mornings in summer, midday in winter.

- Use simple tools: a chopstick or the weight of the container can tell if soil is dry.

- Know the plant type: succulents prefer dry, ferns prefer moist, and monstera likes alternating.

03 Fertilizing Smartly: Don’t Starve or Overfeed

Plants need more than water—they need nutrients. We’ve seen friends frustrated when their flowering plants just produce leaves but no blooms. Often, the soil is old and compacted, lacking essential nutrients.

Signs of nutrient deficiency:

- Thin, yellow leaves indicate nitrogen shortage.

- Few or falling buds indicate phosphorus deficiency.

- Weak stems signal low potassium.

Fertilizing tips:

- Avoid home remedies that backfire (like fermented water or other DIY solutions).

- Match fertilizer to the plant type: leafy plants need nitrogen, flowering plants need phosphorus and potassium.

- Light and frequent feeding works better than heavy doses. Remember the “triple dilution” rule.

04 Treating Diseases Carefully: Skip the Old Wives’ Tricks

We once tried a spicy chili spray for spider mites—burned the leaves but didn’t touch the pests. Others use strong household items that do more harm than good.

Safe approach:

- Prevention is key: prune dead leaves and isolate new plants.

- Targeted treatment: use specific solutions for spider mites, aphids, or powdery mildew.

- Follow instructions carefully, and reapply after rain for best results.

Talking to Our Plants

After ten years, we’ve learned that growing plants isn’t about talent—it’s about connection. Observing drooping leaves, feeling soil dryness, and noticing subtle smells are far more effective than following trends blindly.

Just like in life, shortcuts rarely work. Respect the plant’s natural rhythms, stay patient, and treat them as companions rather than decor. Over time, even plants we once thought were impossible to keep alive will flourish and bring vibrant green life into our homes.

Lykkers, let’s enjoy this journey together and turn our homes into thriving green spaces!

STOP Making These 7 DEADLY Garden Mistakes That Kill Your Plants

Video by Garden Homes