If you’ve been following my cactus series, then you know I’ve developed a bit of a gardening hobby. When I spotted How To Raise a Plant and Have it Love You Back by Morgan Doane and Erin Harding of the House Plant Club I felt it was the book for me.

The book takes you through what plants suit your environment, where to purchase them, care, DIY projects, and what plants in particular make great houseplants.

It’s a really easy read, I flew through it in two sittings, and is full of helpful picture demonstrations.

This is more of a book you refer back to.

I learned a thing or two from it, although my cactus has been with me through every season, I had no idea you’re supposed to care for them differently during winter and summer. Plants go through growth spurts in spring and summer, which I did notice because my cactus enter a weird-cactus puberty phase and looks super awkward right now. Turns out, you’re meant to water them less in winter because they’re almost dormant. Lesson learned!

I also learned that it’s advisable to quarantine new plants you buy from existing ones, in case they have parasites that infest everything else. I bought a tree that was wrongly labled as succulent for only €4, to search around and discover that it’s actually a type of bonsai tree! It’s a Ginseng Grafted Ficus Bonsai, so that was an absolute steal. It’s going to be kept away from my other plants on the windowsill for the time being, so my plant light is coming in handy.

I also discovered some amazing plants my future house will be filled with! I always knew what tropical Monstera Delicosa’s were, but never had the name until now! The beautiful purple Oxalis Triangluaris which look like purple butterfly wings, really caught my eye. The very shop my book is from also sell Tillandsia which are air plants, are really unique as you can work them into decor and take them out every now and then to soak in water. I’ve seen some wrapped into wire and then shaped like jellyfish , which would make a lovely bathroom installation.

Overall, I’m sure this book is going to be a lifesaver. Even if you’re houseplants aren’t featured, it has great overall advice for indoor gardening.  I would even just recommend following House Plant Club on Instagram for the indoor garden inspo!