The Green Thumb Parent

You’re really getting the hang of your houseplants. You want them to have a long and happy life. And you’re ready to take on some bigger projects that go beyond the basics. Maybe even tackle that diva species you've been eyeing. Sound like you? Then you may want to look into some of these handy items:

• A pruner
• Hori-hori
• Soil scoop
• Plant stakes and ties
• Multipurpose spray bottles
• Soil additions - You may be wondering, what do people put in a potting mix? We'll cover some of the most common ones here:
  
  
  1. Perlite is in most potting mixes—it’s the little white pieces or balls you see throughout the mix. It can look a bit like styrofoam, but it’s actually a volcanic mineral that provides great aeration and allows for swift drainage.
  
  
  2. Orchard Bark is often used for orchids, but is useful for many houseplants. The small chunks or shards of bark (usually fir or pine) come in different sizes and grades. The smaller the pieces, the more moisture is retained. While with larger pieces, you can expect better overall aeration and drainage.
  3. Activated Charcoal is heat treated charcoal that can absorb excess moisture and prevent fungal or bacterial growth. It can definitely act as a defense to overwatering, but it’s not magic.

If you’re ready to one-up the Green Thumb and claim the Greenest Thumb, let’s go over what you might need:

• Containers (like vases or vessels) to build a propagation station
• Rooting hormone powder
• Moss or coir poles