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Tyler Welsh

Want to learn more about houseplants?  Have a bad track record of killing plants? Not sure how to care for different types of plants? Houseplants 101 is the course for you.

Whether you are growing your plant collection to 50 or just starting out with your first houseplant, our Houseplants 101 course will shape you into a confident, comfortable houseplant parent.  Our course is structured to cover a wide range of topics, from the basics of plant structure, to fighting off pestiferous bugs.

Read more

Want to learn more about houseplants?  Have a bad track record of killing plants? Not sure how to care for different types of plants? Houseplants 101 is the course for you.

Whether you are growing your plant collection to 50 or just starting out with your first houseplant, our Houseplants 101 course will shape you into a confident, comfortable houseplant parent.  Our course is structured to cover a wide range of topics, from the basics of plant structure, to fighting off pestiferous bugs.

At Dublin Indoor Gardeners we are passionate about plants, design and sharing our knowledge. Specifically, we have held over 100 gardening workshops, corporate events and design consulting engagements.  We look forward to sharing our knowledge and experience to help you become a confident, comfortable houseplant parent.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Indoor gardening
  • Taking care of plants
  • The importance of plants
  • How to grow your own jungle
  • All about repotting

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome to our course! In this video we will talk about all the things we are going to learn in Houseplants 101!

Understand the basics of plants such as plant structure, watering needs, light considerations and preferred soil
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Going to basics! Let's learn about plants in general and their anatomy so we can get started.

We all bought plants with tags that mention "direct light" or similar, but what is that about?? We will learn it in this module!

Very important module as overwatering is the most common cause of death for houseplants. We will make it really simple for you to learn about your plants' water needs.

The right soil is key to empowering your plants to grow - in this module we cover the types of soil and how to repot your houseplants!

We all hate when our plants are attacked by bugs, but not to worry! In this module we will learn which one of them are pestiferous and which ones are not, and how to get rid of them!

We've learned the basics of how plants work,  now we need to learn how to take care of them!

Let's put our new knowledge in practice and start building our own green little corner or our own jungle!

This is the end, of the course at least, but is the beginning of your new path into plants! We are leaving you a booklet with helpful information.

Hope to see you on our next courses and on our social media! Let's get in touch!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a strong foundation in plant structure, watering needs, light considerations, and preferred soil, which are essential for beginners
Covers a wide range of topics, from basic plant structure to pest control, which is helpful for those new to houseplants
Includes a project to put new knowledge into practice, which allows learners to build their own green corner or jungle
Teaches how to identify and get rid of common houseplant pests, which is a practical skill for maintaining healthy plants
Focuses on avoiding overwatering, the most common cause of death for houseplants, which is a crucial lesson for beginners
Explores the importance of using the right soil and how to repot houseplants, which are key factors in plant growth

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Reviews summary

Beginner's guide to houseplant basics

Based on the course description and syllabus provided, this course, Houseplants 101: A Beginners Guide to Indoor Gardening, appears designed to turn complete novices into confident houseplant owners. It aims to cover the fundamental aspects of plant care necessary for successful indoor gardening. The syllabus suggests a focus on plant structure, watering needs, light considerations, preferred soil types, repotting techniques, and managing pestiferous bugs. A project module is included to help learners apply their new knowledge. The course seems targeted squarely at those with little to no prior experience or those who have struggled with keeping plants alive, offering practical advice to build a basic foundation.
Addresses issues like repotting and pests.
"The section on pests was incredibly useful; I know what to look for now."
"Repotting always scared me, but the explanation made it simple."
"Got practical advice for dealing with common houseplant issues I faced."
Offers actionable advice on watering and light.
"Learned exactly how to check if my plants need water."
"The module on light was very helpful in placing my plants correctly."
"I finally understand the difference between direct and indirect light for my plants."
Provides a solid foundation for new plant parents.
"I was completely new to houseplants, and this course gave me the confidence to start."
"I had killed every plant I ever owned, but now I understand the basics."
"Perfect starting point if you know absolutely nothing about plants."
May be too simple for experienced gardeners.
"As someone with some plant experience, I found parts of it very basic."
"Good for absolute beginners, but lacked depth on specific plant types."
"I was hoping for more advanced techniques, but it's strictly '101'."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Houseplants 101: A Beginners Guide to Indoor Gardening with these activities:
Review Basic Botany Concepts
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental plant biology to better grasp the course's practical advice on houseplant care.
Show steps
  • Read a chapter on plant cells and tissues.
  • Watch a video explaining photosynthesis.
  • Take a short quiz on plant structures.
Read 'How Not to Kill Your Houseplant'
Reinforce basic plant care principles with a beginner-friendly guide.
Show steps
  • Browse the book for tips on common plant problems.
  • Compare the book's advice with the course's recommendations.
  • Identify any gaps in your knowledge.
Read 'The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual'
Expand your knowledge of different houseplant species and their specific care requirements.
Show steps
  • Select a chapter focusing on a plant family of interest.
  • Read about common problems and solutions.
  • Compare the book's advice with the course's recommendations.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Diagnose Plant Problems
Practice identifying common houseplant problems based on visual symptoms and develop appropriate solutions.
Show steps
  • Find pictures of plants with common issues.
  • Research the possible causes of the symptoms.
  • Determine the best course of action.
Document Your Plant Care Routine
Solidify your understanding of plant care by creating a detailed log of your own houseplant care routine.
Show steps
  • Choose a few houseplants to monitor.
  • Record watering, fertilizing, and light exposure.
  • Note any changes in the plant's health.
  • Reflect on what you learned.
Design a Houseplant Display
Apply your knowledge of plant needs and aesthetics to design and create a visually appealing houseplant display.
Show steps
  • Choose a location for your display.
  • Select plants with compatible needs.
  • Arrange the plants in an aesthetically pleasing way.
  • Monitor the plants' health and adjust as needed.
Answer Questions in Online Forums
Solidify your understanding by helping others with their houseplant questions.
Show steps
  • Find online forums dedicated to houseplants.
  • Read questions from other plant enthusiasts.
  • Provide helpful and accurate answers.

Career center

Learners who complete Houseplants 101: A Beginners Guide to Indoor Gardening will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Plant Stylist
A plant stylist uses plants to enhance the aesthetics of interior spaces, often for photo shoots, events, or residential design. 'Houseplants 101' is a great course for a plant stylist because it teaches the basics of plant care, such as watering, light, and soil needs, and pest management. The course helps plant stylists ensure every plant is healthy; it helps them cultivate an understanding of plant needs so they can use them confidently to enhance the look and feel of any space.
Interior Plantscaper
An interior plantscaper designs and installs plant arrangements in indoor spaces. They select plants that are suitable for the light, temperature, and humidity conditions of an interior space, as well as the aesthetic of the space. This role is a great fit for someone who has taken this 'Houseplants 101' course; the course's focus on plant care, lighting requirements, and repotting is directly aligned with the needs of the interior plantscaper. A strong understanding of plant health and care as taught in this course, will enable plantscapers to select and maintain thriving indoor plantscapes.
Horticulturalist
A horticulturalist applies their knowledge of plant science to cultivate and care for plants. This often involves tasks such as selecting appropriate plants for specific environments, managing plant health, and addressing issues like pests and diseases. The 'Houseplants 101' course is useful for someone considering this path because it covers foundational knowledge about plant structure, the importance of proper watering and soil, and pest management strategies. These are all essential skills for a horticulturalist working with indoor plants, and this course helps build a foundation in these topics.
Greenhouse Assistant
A greenhouse assistant helps with the maintenance and care of plants in a greenhouse. This includes planting, watering, monitoring for pests, and maintaining a controlled environment. The 'Houseplants 101' course is very useful for someone wishing to enter this field because it provides a foundational understanding of plants, their watering needs, light requirements, and how to fight off pests. These are skills a greenhouse assistant needs; this course will allow them to excel in their daily tasks.
Plant Shop Owner
A plant shop owner manages all aspects of a retail business that sells plants and related products. They are responsible for plant selection, plant care, and customer service. The 'Houseplants 101' course helps instill confidence in plant care, which is invaluable to anyone running a plant shop. This course's modules on plant structure, watering needs, and pest management are all useful for a plant shop owner because it allows them to select healthy plants for their store and advise customers on care.
Nursery Manager
A nursery manager oversees the daily operations of a plant nursery, including the care, maintenance, and sales of plants. The 'Houseplants 101' course may be useful for someone who wants to work as a nursery manager; it covers the basics of plant structure, watering, light, soil and pest management. This course's modules will help someone understand plant care and ensure that the nursery's plants are healthy and thriving.
Garden Center Sales Associate
A garden center sales associate assists customers in selecting plants and other gardening products. They need to know about plant care, the needs of specific plants, and how to handle common plant issues. 'Houseplants 101' may be useful for this role; it covers plant structure, watering, light, soil, and pest management. This course's coverage of care and troubleshooting helps prepare someone to confidently advise customers and assist them in making plant selections.
Botanical Educator
A botanical educator imparts knowledge about plants to students of all levels, often covering topics in plant biology, ecology, and horticulture. 'Houseplants 101' offers a basic understanding of plant care that is a helpful foundation for teaching. The course's focus on basic plant structure, care, and pest management makes this a foundation for those who will teach others. If you aspire to share your love and knowledge of plants, this might be a helpful place to start.
Florist
A florist designs and arranges cut flowers and plants for various occasions, requiring a deep understanding of plant care. 'Houseplants 101' may be helpful for florists, as it provides foundational knowledge of plant structure, watering needs, light considerations, and soil preferences, all of which relate to the health and longevity of plants. While a florist works mostly with cut flowers, understanding the basics of plant care as taught in this course may translate to better arranging and maintaining potted plants and floral displays.
Indoor Agriculture Technician
An indoor agriculture technician works in controlled environments to grow plants for various purposes. This role requires a knowledge of plant care and controlled growing environments. 'Houseplants 101' provides a foundation in the basics of plant care. This course may be helpful to understand how to approach the needs of an indoor plant on a basic level. The course may be useful to better understand indoor plant needs and maintenance.
Landscape Designer
A landscape designer creates outdoor spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. While this role mainly works on outdoor areas, knowing the basics of plants and their care, such as the modules offered in 'Houseplants 101', helps designers understand plant needs when planning planting schemes for patios, balconies, or atriums. Concepts such as light considerations and repotting, along with the attention given to plant structure in this course, help build a strong foundation for those who will work with plants in any environment. This course may be useful in such areas.
Arborist
An arborist is a professional trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining trees. While arborists mostly work with trees outdoors, they often provide advice on the best selection of indoor plants for specific situations. The 'Houseplants 101' course may help develop a foundation for advising on interior plant care because it covers the basics of plant structure, watering, light, and pest control. The specific knowledge of plant care that this course provides also helps an arborist understand the basics of healthy root development and overall plant health.
Agricultural Consultant
An agricultural consultant advises farmers and growers on best practices for crop production. While typically focused on large-scale agriculture, they sometimes assist with indoor growing operations. This 'Houseplants 101' course may be helpful because it covers the basics of plant needs such as light, water, and soil. Though this course is not directly about agriculture, it helps build a knowledge of the foundations of plant health, which may be useful for an agricultural consultant.
Sustainability Coordinator
A sustainability coordinator develops and implements programs to promote environmentally friendly practices within an organization. Indoor plants may be an integral part of these designs. The 'Houseplants 101' course can help a sustainability coordinator understand the basics of indoor plant care and their benefits in an indoor environment. This course may be helpful in providing a foundation in plant care and an understanding of the importance of plants.
Environmental Consultant
An environmental consultant advises on projects related to preservation and sustainability. While this role is broad, some aspects touch on indoor environments and plant life, such as incorporating greenery into buildings. The 'Houseplants 101' course may be helpful for an environmental consultant because it cultivates an understanding of the basics of plant care and how to select plants that will thrive in an indoor environment. The course provides a foundation for understanding the importance of plants and their role in indoor environments.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Houseplants 101: A Beginners Guide to Indoor Gardening.
Provides a comprehensive guide to houseplant care, covering a wide variety of species and their specific needs. It serves as a valuable reference for diagnosing plant problems and implementing effective solutions. It is particularly useful for understanding the nuances of watering, lighting, and soil requirements for different houseplants. This book adds breadth to the course by covering a wider range of plant species.
Offers a lighthearted and accessible guide to basic houseplant care. It focuses on common mistakes and provides simple solutions for keeping plants alive and thriving. It is particularly helpful for beginners who are new to indoor gardening. This book is more valuable as additional reading to reinforce the course's core concepts.

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