I've had many people reach out to me explaining that they love plants but don't have a green thumb. Most of the time, people who are struggling to keep houseplants alive are making a common mistake that's easy to fix. Here are a few of them!

Those beautiful plants you see at the store are grown in greenhouses, which give them the perfect humidity, light, and water. Select plants that are known to be easy houseplants, like philodendrons, pothos, peace lilies, Chinese evergreens, dracaena, bromeliads, and peperomia. These plants have low light requirements and are very forgiving of the occasional missed watering.

Always make sure you're buying healthy plants. Some plants might be left on a dark store shelf for a month before you see them; at that point, they're already in decline. Wilted plants at the nursery or plants that show damage to emerging leaves might be at the start of a steep decline. Check for this before buying your plants, and always shop at a trustworthy store that sells high-quality plants. Of course, the exception to all of this is the clearance section! Plenty of plant lovers successfully rescue plants on the verge of death if the price is right!

Repotting plants is a challenge, and it might not be necessary to do it right away. If your soil isn't dry to the touch a day after watering, there's enough soil in it, and it can stay in its original container for a bit longer. Putting plants in pots that are too large will lead to uneven water distribution, which can cause rot if there's too much water. Make sure that your containers have drainage holes. Water should start to drain out of the bottom every time you water.

Plastic containers are the generic choice for plant nurseries - and for a good reason. They have enough holes on the bottom for fast drainage, have a symmetrical shape that makes it easy for the roots to sprawl, and don't lose water from evaporation. Most plants respond best to planting in a simple container with enough drainage holes. However, don't return those fancy containers just yet! You can place a fancy container over the plastic one for a formal look.

Not enough sunlight

Our homes are too dark for most plants. Even a bright window doesn't provide enough sunlight for plants that require full sun. If you have a bright room that doesn't get direct sunlight, add a grow light or select plants with lower light requirements.

The air inside a home can get very dry during the winter. Keep your plants away from heaters to minimize the damage that dry air can do to them. A few crunch leaf edges are normal during the winter. As long as the new growth looks healthy, your plant will overcome it!