https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Jul 2026 14:20:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-secret-to-having-a-green-thumb#post-1708026 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 16:57:14 +0000 Grace 1708026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Late to the party, but here are my recommendations. Don't use distilled water. There are minerals in tap water that plants might use. If you are worried about chlorine, fill up a watering jug, let it sit for a couple hours and use that. Second, don't water every day. If they get too much water, the nutrients from the soil will be leeched out with the water. Stick your finger in the soil, and don't water until the soil is dry up to your first finger joint. Then give them a good watering until the water runs out the bottom of the pot (make sure there are holes in the pot). Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-secret-to-having-a-green-thumb#post-1697663 Fri, 13 Jun 2014 06:22:33 +0000 looch 1697663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>From a person with a black thumb, the only thing that works is to have someone around that has a green thumb!</p> <p>I have managed to destroy every house plant I have come in contact with, even the sturdy ones! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-secret-to-having-a-green-thumb#post-1697662 Fri, 13 Jun 2014 06:16:31 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1697662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: This is what I told my brother (what it took me years to finally realize myself). Don't water houseplants the normal way - dunk them in water. Place the plastic pot it comes in inside of another pot (ceramic or whatever). When it's time to water, have a second pot laying around and fill it halfway with water, place just the plastic pot in it and add more water until it fills the top. It'll look like way too much water at this point. Walk away for 5-10 minutes. When you get back, most of the water will be gone. Remove the plastic pot and place it back into it's original outer pot. Repeat every week or every other week (depending on how hot it is) or when the soil is almost completely bone dry.</p> <p>You don't really need a second pot, but it's much easier and cleaner that way. Always keep the plant in a plastic pot and place that inside an outer pot. When it gets bigger and it's time to repot, just replace both inner and outer pots with bigger ones.</p> <p>*** The real secret is to find sturdy houseplants. This watering tactic works best with plants that don't mind or even prefer to dry up a bit before getting a good watering. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-secret-to-having-a-green-thumb#post-1697611 Fri, 13 Jun 2014 02:48:53 +0000 BSB 1697611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Get an aerogarden!! :silly: I wish I was joking but my plants look so healthy when you need to add water and feed it every 2 weeks!</p> <p>I took my healthy plants from the aerogarden and I put them outside. Big mistake. They just didn't like temperature shock. They were all on their last leg and I took them inside this morning. They are definitely looking better now. </p> <p>Yeah! Aerogarden all the way! Also, now I know that I need to gradually accustom them to the outside. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-secret-to-having-a-green-thumb#post-1697609 Fri, 13 Jun 2014 02:43:42 +0000 Snowdrop 1697609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Watering everyday sounds a bit excessive to me, that can be just as bad for them. I dont really do house plants but i find the secret is to find the right spot for the right plant and let nature do the hard work, after all, plants want to grow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-secret-to-having-a-green-thumb#post-1697559 Fri, 13 Jun 2014 00:59:09 +0000 sunny 1697559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh btw - some plants are waaaaaaay easier than others.</p> <p>I've successfully grown tomatoes and had them bear fruit. I grew them from little seedlings, not from seeds. All tomatoes need are lots and water, lots of sunlight and some miracle grow tomato food. </p> <p>I've also been successful with a little house plant from Ikea. I don't know the name but it looks kind of like a mini hosta.</p> <p>I've killed off too many orchids and plumeria to count. Still haven't mastered the right amount of watering for those guys. The instructions always say don't over water, and I manage to either over water or under water. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-secret-to-having-a-green-thumb#post-1697553 Fri, 13 Jun 2014 00:52:31 +0000 birdofafeather 1697553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>watering them helps! also, fertilizing them. they need food too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-secret-to-having-a-green-thumb#post-1697085 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 20:47:41 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 1697085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Caring whether your plants live or die. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-secret-to-having-a-green-thumb#post-1697060 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 20:42:30 +0000 Smurfette 1697060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't under or over water!<br /> Make sure pots have drain holes<br /> Make sure the plants are getting the amount of sunlight they require. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-secret-to-having-a-green-thumb#post-1697050 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 20:40:18 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1697050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think making sure you have pots with drain holes is helpful because it alleviates some of the problems of overwatering. That said, I think I only have a track record of keeping about two potted plants alive ever! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-secret-to-having-a-green-thumb#post-1696820 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:54:16 +0000 sunny 1696820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The hard part is watering the right amount. Don't over water (that's a thing!) and don't under water. I haven't mastered that yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-secret-to-having-a-green-thumb#post-1696763 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:45:27 +0000 loveisstrange 1696763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>haha, remembering to water them? I know thats what i suck at. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-secret-to-having-a-green-thumb#post-1696651 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:23:43 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 1696651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have no clue. I don't have one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-secret-to-having-a-green-thumb#post-1696648 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:23:03 +0000 mrbee 1696648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our local botanical garden gave our kids two plants each. Plus in a fit of optimism, I bought a plant of my own the other day. So now I am hoping that I don't kill them all.</p> <p>Here's what I'm doing:</p> <p>* Watering them all every morning with distilled water<br /> * Leaving them in a windowsill so they get sunlight<br /> * Praying.</p> <p>What's the secret to having a green thumb? </p>