Westerly Sun Column | How Green Are Your Thumbs?

As I was puttering around my house the other day, I realized something significant: over the last year, not one of my houseplants has perished. Thank you, thank you, please hold your applause.

Those who know me are aware of what a monumental feat this is, because I’m certainly not known for having a green thumb. The fact that I was in charge of the Plant Cutting Library and Seed Library for several years is honestly laughable, and I’m thrilled that my coworker has taken over those tasks (the plants are happy, too). So, yes, I’m proud to have managed to keep my plants alive for the last year. Now, I have to keep it that way…and for that, I will be consulting some of the books at the library.

It’s important to note that even though my houseplants are technically alive, a few of them are far from thriving. I’m sure many of you can look at your plants and diagnose their problems, but I do not have the knowledge or skill to do that on my own. This is why I consult with experts like David Deardoff and Kathryn Wadsworth, authors of “What’s Wrong With My Houseplant?: Save Your Indoor Plants With 100% Organic Solutions.” This guide provides profiles for over 140 household plants, and includes a section on common problems for each of them. Even better, they offer solutions to those problems – ones that even horticulturally hopeless individuals like myself can follow!

Looking to the future, my goal is not so much to rescue my plants from death, but to prevent issues to begin with. For this, I’ll opt for books like “How Not to Kill Your Houseplant” by Veronica Peerless, which gives advice on helping your plants flourish. Peerless also offers insight into what plants do well in various environments, from your work desk to your bathroom. I don’t currently plan on adding more plants to my collection, but if I did I would check out “37 Houseplants Even You Can’t Kill” by Mary Kate Hogan (which, frankly, sounds like a challenge). As you may imagine from the title, the Hogan’s book is straightforward and practical, and thus perfect for novices.

Whether you have a black thumb or a green thumb, all are invited to take part in a Plant Swap at the library this coming Saturday, which we are holding during our Summer Reading Kickoff (the theme for this year’s program is “Plant a Seed, Read”). Donations of indoor and outdoor plants, cuttings, and seedlings, will be accepted Wednesday, June 24 through Friday, June 26, and all of them will be available for the taking on Saturday, June 27th. The best part is, you do not need to donate a plant in order to take one home with you! It’s a perfect time to start your collection, or (for those of you with green thumbs) to clear out some of your excess plants. Fear not, my highly competent coworker will ensure that all donated plants survive until the swap begins!

Cassie Skobrak, Adult Services Librarian