Cover Image: Houseplants for Beginners

Houseplants for Beginners

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I love reading books about gardening and plants. This was a beautiful book and had lots of helpful suggestions and information. I think this is a good book for a public library collection and I think would circulate well.

Was this review helpful?

This is a great book for novice houseplant lovers. It has nice pictures and thorough information on a variety of plants. I especially liked the care section categorizing easy plants to more challenging plants.

Was this review helpful?

A great book for those who want to keep indoor plants alive but struggle. Great tips, good basic information, overall a great little handbook.

Was this review helpful?

I learned a few things from reading this book. The author's expertise shares practical advice on how to foster optimal growth conditions for your beloved green companions. One of the key takeaways from this book is the debunking of common misconceptions. The author emphasizes that there's no need to place rocks or other water-absorbing materials at the bottom of your pots, dispelling a widely-held myth. Instead, they stress the importance of proper watering techniques to prevent root rot. This knowledge alone can significantly improve the longevity and vitality of your plants. Another is about upgrading size planting in a two inch pot so that roots don't rot. Contrary to what I thought, leaving water soaked at bottom of pot, can cause root rot,
The book also delves into the fascinating world of propagating plants from leaves, a technique that may seem daunting but is made accessible through clear and step-by-step instructions. This opens up exciting possibilities for expanding your plant collection without breaking the bank. What sets this book apart is its comprehensive 'A to Z of Care' section, which categorizes plants from easy to moderately easy to grow. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice, you'll find this section immensely valuable. It provides detailed care instructions, making it easy to choose the right plants for your skill level and preferences.
In summary, Houseplants for Beginners is a must-read for anyone looking to enhance their plant care skills. It's a valuable resource that can turn even the most timid plant parent into a confident green thumb. With its practical advice, myth-busting insights, and comprehensive care guide, this book deserves a prominent spot on the bookshelf of every planter.

Was this review helpful?

I was so excited to read this book as an avid house plant owner but someone who is absolutely rubbish at keeping them alive, i am always amazed at how I can keep my kids alive but can’t look after houseplants.

There is some really good advice, some that are very simple but I would of never of thought of, such as cutting off the brown leaves and then trimming the healthy part of the leaf into the similar shape of the other leaves.

I also really liked the section of easy to care plants and list of plants and what they need. Really good book to use as a reference.

Was this review helpful?

This is absolutely brilliant. Definitely a great choice to give to anyone who is challenged by houseplants. Perfect gift for a novice grower too. Good photos and descriptions and great advice on how to improve your plants.

Was this review helpful?

I truly regret not having come across Houseplants for Beginners before embarking on my journey with houseplants! This book is an indispensable resource for all houseplant owners. It offers a comprehensive guide that caters to beginners while also providing valuable insights to keep intermediate enthusiasts engaged. The book is structured into two sections: the first covers fundamental care information, and the second delves into specifics about individual plants.

In the specifics section, readers will find a wealth of information, including facts about each plant, covering aspects like lighting requirements, watering guidelines, flowering patterns, size expectations, and propagation techniques. The book is adorned with stunning and highly informative photographs, making it an invaluable visual aid. The initial half of the book focuses on imparting essential knowledge and care tips, supplemented with smaller photos and precise details for easy reference. Houseplants for Beginners is a must-have guide that ensures your houseplants thrive and flourish, making it an essential companion for plant enthusiasts of all levels.

Was this review helpful?

As someone who is new to houseplant care I was really excited to read this! The information was presented in a thorough but easy to understand manner. Lisa Eldred Steinkopf really seemed as if she had the proper amount of expertise to write a book like this.

The most important topics for beginners to know were covered and showcases very helpful tips on my pages. The images paired with the text information was a nice touch and made the content more interesting.

I especially enjoyed the section in the end that broke down easy to care for plants and moderately easy to care for plants with an easy to read chart. The individual breakdowns of each plant is also helpful for a quick reference guide for when you’ve actually purchased the plant. I would definitely recommend this guide for beginners.

Was this review helpful?

It's a good book if you want your own indoor garden its simple and easy to understand. I think it would make a good coffee table book as well

Was this review helpful?

I am relatively new in the field of houseplants and in the last two years since started my own collection of plants I killed at least two plants. I usually buy plants and then search online, only to discover that they are of the difficult kind. Houseplants for Beginners is a good resource for anyone starting their houseplant journey. Indeed, having your own indoors garden is a great idea, but it requires attention,dedication and the right information. I was able to find a lot of information ahout watering and re-potting,as well as a detailed selection of different plants and how to treat them well. I wish I knew it as I was starting my journey, but nevertheless, it is never too late to get the proper expertise from the right source.

Was this review helpful?

This is a wonderful approach to beginning gardening that is much more manageable than trying to tackle a full outside garden.

Was this review helpful?

This was just the book I was looking for! As a complete house plant novice who has somehow ended up hooked on them I really needed a clear and easy to read guide, and this ticked my boxes. I feel a lot more confident now, and feel like I can use the guide for further research in the future too.

*I received a free ARC from NetGalley and I have chosen to leave a review*

Was this review helpful?

As someone who’s always had a black thumb, this guide is invaluable and a staple in my home from this day forward.

It shows you how to choose the right plants for your space and lifestyle. Some plants are easy and some are way too complicated.
This guide teaches you the specific needs of each plant species you may chose. It teaches you how to care for the plants including light, soil, and watering basics. I found out the plants I have had were WAY overwatered.

Such a great, engaging, helpful tool!

Was this review helpful?

as a new indoor plant owner this is going to really help me keep my plants alive and also teach me about other house plants. I highly recommend if your looking for something to help you care of your indoor plants.

Was this review helpful?

Being a hobbyist gardener, I’ve read a ton of books on gardens, houseplants and growing things in general! My bookshelf is filled with plant books littered with tabs sticking out everywhere. Houseplants for Beginners was one of the more comprehensive and detailed houseplant books that I have read in a long time. The book has everything a new planter could need to ensure success when planting. It included beautiful pictures and a wide variety of houseplants!

Was this review helpful?

Earlier this year my college roommate and I looked around our house thought we were missing something (it was plants). We got some, and within a month they were all dead. We tried again and the same thing happened. We looked back at our previously attempts at keeping them alive, agreed that they had been pretty disastrous and we thought we needed to change our plant parenting game.

I was able to be introduced to this book thought NetGalley and it was truly a plant care Bible for me.
It had sections on planting, watering, feeding, lighting, and so much more. We got tons of easy tips to level up our plant game without breaking a sweat, and we learned how to tackle the issues we'd been facing.

The best part? The book was loaded with pictures that kept things fun. The second half of it was pure gold, with profiles on different plants neatly sorted into categories like Easy-to-Grow, Kind of Easy-to-Grow, and Challenge Accepted. This helped us figure out our existing plants and dream about all the new leafy pals we could add in the future.

This book is great for plant novices just trying to keep our plant babies alive, but if you are already a plant pro this book is likely not going to teach you anything.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I love learning more tips on taking care of houseplants.
I will definately put some of these ideas to the test.

Was this review helpful?

Houseplants for Beginners is a very good book for people like myself who don't really have much success in keeping houseplants alive for long.
It is easy to understand with lots of photographs. I particularly liked the way that the book is set out, it flows logically which made it easier to follow.

Was this review helpful?

Great book on houseplants. Chapters are on Planting, Watering and Fertilizer, Lighting, Problem Solving, and then the biggest is Plant Profiles. There are lots of photos throughout, so this truly will work for beginners. The plant profiles are fantastic - they have photos, light preference, watering, flower, size, and propagation. If something has multiple cultivars, there's extra info. There's also two sections - easy to grow, and moderately easy to grow.
I recommend this book and think it will be super useful.

Was this review helpful?

This book is very well put together and detailed. Great for beginners and even those like me that have some experience with houseplants but still need a bit of help. I love how this was put together.

Was this review helpful?