I have never been good with houseplants. I think it’s because I grew up north of Seattle where everything grows and then as an adult moved to the desert. I don’t get how to grow anything here. I never got the hang of it.

I was talking to a friend over the summer of what to do with my house. It’s going to be two years that we’ve lived here come December. But I never finished the decor inside. My friend suggested warming it up with plants. Easy for her to say. She lives in Santa Barbara where it’s damp and cool. Plants are abundant and lush.

My kids are very good with houseplants. My daughter can grow a plant from a cutting. Their living spaces are filled with green. I showed my daughter a few of the new plants I bought. She immediately sent me a link on Amazon to a tool she said would help me.

This is very handy. You stick it in the soil and it instantly tells you if your plant needs water. I was losing one plant, the leaves were turning black, and my daughter told me I was over watering. With this Moisture Meter I discovered the soil was wet. The pot wasn’t draining. I quit watering it and the plant is still alive.

So far so good.

In my old house of 28 years, I never had a house plant that lasted more than a few months.

Are you good at growing things? Do you have any tips to share?