So we salute the beginner-friendly pothos, survivors even after we forgot to water them for two weeks. We pay our respects to succulents—low-maintenance, resilient, and incredibly cute. We bow to philodendrons, growing leaves galore despite the most negligent of cares. If 2022 is the year you finally sail off on your own plant-parenthood journey, let us (and our plants) bequeath you some knowledge. It’s simple: the dirt your plant lives in provides necessary nutrients for growth. If you’re not willing to drink a latte because it’s made with the wrong milk, your plant may also not like the food you’re serving. Although its version of asking the barista to make the drink again is just straight-up dying. Beyond that, native plants are easy to take care of and are an excellent choice if you want to revitalize the soil in your garden. Our plant columnist Ellen Airhart knows that feeling well and shared her experience trying to revive a shriveling Pinguicula and Sarracenia. Spoiler alert: she failed. But her failure may very well be the lesson you need to prevent your precious carnivorous greens from wilting. Well, we’ve got the answer. It’s all about choosing the right packing materials, avoiding the wrong ones, and giving your greenies some extra tender, loving care when they’re at their final destination. Give your garden the best chance at survival with our handy soil guide. Don’t be surprised if some don’t make the trip. Plants don’t like change and movers sometimes are not as delicate as we’d like them to be. But giving your plants the best head start will up your chances of reuniting the family safe and sound in your new abode. If you don’t know where to start, we have a guide for you on what species to get, how native plants will work better, and what fertilizer is actually not terrible for the Earth. And if you have to say goodbye to some of your leafy children, don’t leave them on the curb—make sure to find them a good and loving home. Whether you buy it or propagate it, caring for aloe is easy, as it’s getting all of its benefits. This guide will help your aloe thrive, and you with it. Just save a spot in the sun for this long-leafed green and watch it grow. If you’re tired of mowing, here’s how to start and what to plant for the best results.
