Page 126 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2017

HOME & GARDEN the perfect fit
FINDING A CURE FOR BLACK THUMB
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster
We’ve all been there — walking through a store’s garden section when you spot the most colorful and exotic looking plant.
Instantly, you imagine how much life it would bring to your home and how nice it would be to have a few plants perched on your windowsills.
If you consider the optimal environment for the plant or any special needs it may have before purchasing it, you’ve probably got a green thumb, or an innate ability to nurture plants and let them grow. If you’re like a lot
of us however, you’re probably looking at the plant and realizing that taking it home would be the kiss of death.
Is there any hope for those of us who have a black thumb rather than a green one? “It all stems from a love of nature,” said Chris Owens, owner of Lemon Tree Flower Shop in Gulfport. “I definitely believe that some people are born with a special ability, whereas others just wish they were.”
So what’s the cure? The easiest solution
is simply finding the right plant. Beginner gardeners are often drawn to the more vibrant and tropical plants because of their looks, but it’s important to take into consideration that these plants thrive in a hothouse climate, not in your kitchen.
“It’s important to research and ask questions to find out what each plant needs before you
buy it,” said Rachel Bond of Pine Hills Nursery. “Just because you like a plant does not mean it will do well being planted in any condition.”
One of the best things is to start off with a standard indoor houseplant that can tolerate a wide range of conditions. “There are plenty of easy-to-care-for plants out there,” said Owens. “Some of my favorites are Spathiphyllum, better known as the peace lily, and pothos, a vine-like plant.” Other sturdy houseplants include the spider plant, jade plant and aloe vera plant.
If you’re hoping for something a little more colorful, phalaenopsis orchids are a great option for beginners. These guys are as tough as they are beautiful. They do especially well in the warm climate of the Coast and only require low- to-medium light and minimal watering.
Though there’s no real cure for black thumb, there are some plants that are so “unkillable” that they can survive even the most neglectful of gardeners. Plants such as the air plant, which doesn’t even require soil; and as far as watering goes, these guys only need to be lightly misted every now and again.
As a worst case scenario, there is no plant on Earth more durable than the cactus. Cacti and succulents are able to retain water as a means
of being drought-resistant, so this is about as forgiving a plant as any! If it can survive a desert, it can survive a bad case of black thumb.
"Cacti and succulents are able to retain water ... If it can survive a desert, it can survive a bad case of black thumb."
126 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • March 2017
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