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Sara Shih

Welcome to the magical world of houseplants ?

Are you new to the world of houseplants? Are you tired of constantly killing your plants?

Learn all of the basics, and keep your plants alive with this easy beginner's guide to houseplants.

Houseplants are awesome ✨

  • Plants bring life into your home. Literally.

  • Plants are beautiful

  • Plants grow with you

Meet your instructor ?

Read more

Welcome to the magical world of houseplants ?

Are you new to the world of houseplants? Are you tired of constantly killing your plants?

Learn all of the basics, and keep your plants alive with this easy beginner's guide to houseplants.

Houseplants are awesome ✨

  • Plants bring life into your home. Literally.

  • Plants are beautiful

  • Plants grow with you

Meet your instructor ?

I'm Sara and I fell in love with houseplants when I first moved to Berlin in 2016. My first houseplant was a monstera named Klaus. I killed a lot of plants when I first started and found myself constantly reading gardening forums or websites trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. Luckily Klaus survived it all and is happily thriving.

I hope this course saves you some heartbreak and helps you to cultivate your own indoor garden.

In just 30 minutes, you'll learn about ⏱

  • Light

    • What the different types of light are in your home

    • How to identify the different types of light

    • Where you should place your plants based on light

  • Water

    • What the different water requirements are

    • How often to water your plants

    • How to water your plants

  • Soil - which type of soil to use

  • Pots - what types of pots are best suited for beginners and what pots to avoid

  • Pet Safety - how to make sure you keep your pets safe from toxic plants

  • Leaf Care - how to keep your plant's leaves in the best condition possible

  • Common Problems - how to diagnose and fix common houseplant problems

  • 9 Easy Houseplants - learn about 9 of the easiest plants for beginners to start with

  • Just For Fun - how to name your plants and have fun

Free e-book included ?

A free 28 page e-book covering all of the basics is also included with this course. It includes information on the houseplant care basics as well as detailed pages on the 9 easy houseplants to start with that are almost impossible to kill.

With the basics down, your plants will not only survive - they'll thrive.

It's your jungle. Go wild.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to keep your plants alive
  • Houseplant care basics
  • Light and water requirements
  • 9 easiest houseplants to start with
  • Common houseplant problems and how to fix them
  • Indoor gardening

Syllabus

Learn the basics of leaf care.

Introduction

Welcome to the magical world of houseplants!

Learn about the basics of houseplant care, including light, water, soil and pots.
Read more

Learn about the basics of light.

Learn about water requirements for different types of plants.

Learn about soil and pots.

Learn about pet safety.

Learn how to diagnose and fix common problems.

Learn about 9 easy houseplants for beginners.

Learn how to name your plant friends.

That's it! With the basics down, your plants will not only survive - they'll thrive.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a foundational understanding of houseplant care, making it suitable for individuals with little to no prior experience in gardening or plant maintenance
Covers essential topics such as light, water, soil, and pots, which are crucial for beginners to grasp in order to ensure the health and longevity of their houseplants
Includes a section on pet safety, which is particularly relevant for houseplant enthusiasts who are also pet owners and want to ensure the well-being of their furry companions
Focuses on diagnosing and fixing common houseplant problems, equipping beginners with the knowledge and skills to troubleshoot issues and prevent plant demise
Features a list of nine easy houseplants to start with, offering beginners a curated selection of low-maintenance plants that are more likely to thrive and build confidence
Includes a free e-book with detailed information on houseplant care and the nine easy houseplants, providing learners with a valuable resource for continued learning and reference

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Reviews summary

Houseplant basics for absolute beginners

According to students, this course is an excellent starting point for beginners looking to keep their plants alive. Learners praise the clear and simple explanations of essential care basics like light and watering, and the practical tips for common problems. The concise format is appreciated for its efficiency. Many highlight the useful free e-book as a great reference. The instructor's style is seen as engaging. While some found it very basic, the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, confirming its value for absolute novices.
Instructor makes learning fun and easy.
"The instructor is very relatable and made learning fun."
"Liked her casual and encouraging teaching style."
"Her story about killing plants made me feel less alone!"
"Sara's teaching style was easy to follow and engaging."
Handy reference guide included.
"The e-book is a fantastic bonus, easy to reference."
"I keep the PDF open on my phone when I'm checking plants."
"Great having all the key points summarized."
"The accompanying e-book is a great takeaway."
Gets straight to the point, saves time.
"Loved that I could finish it quickly and get all the essential info."
"Short but packed with useful knowledge."
"Perfect quick guide for busy people."
"Didn't waste my time, got the info I needed fast."
Learn actionable steps for plant care.
"The watering advice was a game-changer for me."
"I finally understand how to find the right light spot."
"Got helpful tips for fixing those annoying yellow leaves."
"Covered all the essential basics like soil, pots, light, and water clearly."
Ideal first course for plant novices.
"As a total plant novice, this course gave me the confidence to start."
"This is exactly what I needed as someone who kills every plant."
"Finally feel like I can keep a plant alive!"
"Perfect for someone with absolutely no prior knowledge."
May be too simple for some learners.
"Found it a little too simple as I already knew some basics."
"Good for absolute zero knowledge, but not for intermediate."
"Covered the extreme basics, not much depth."
"If you already have a few plants, this might be too introductory."

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 Keep Your Plants Alive - Houseplant Basics for Beginners with these activities:
Review Basic Botany Concepts
Strengthen your understanding of fundamental plant biology concepts to better grasp the course's care instructions.
Browse courses on Plant Biology
Show steps
  • Review the basic parts of a plant and their functions.
  • Study the processes of photosynthesis and respiration.
  • Familiarize yourself with different plant classifications.
Explore 'How Not to Kill Your Houseplant'
Reinforce the course's teachings with a beginner-friendly guide to avoiding common houseplant care mistakes.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'How Not to Kill Your Houseplant'.
  • Read the sections relevant to the houseplants you own or plan to own.
  • Pay attention to the tips on avoiding common mistakes.
Read 'The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual'
Expand your knowledge of houseplant care beyond the basics covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual'.
  • Read the sections relevant to the houseplants discussed in the course.
  • Take notes on any new or interesting information.
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.
Show steps
  • Find images of houseplants with common problems online.
  • Try to diagnose the problem based on the symptoms.
  • Research the correct solution for each problem.
Start an Indoor Herb Garden
Apply your knowledge by starting a small indoor herb garden.
Show steps
  • Choose a selection of herbs that are suitable for indoor growing.
  • Prepare the soil and pots for your herbs.
  • Plant the herbs and provide them with the appropriate care.
  • Monitor your herbs and adjust your care as needed.
Create a Houseplant Care Guide
Solidify your understanding by creating a comprehensive care guide for a specific houseplant.
Show steps
  • Choose a houseplant that interests you.
  • Research the plant's specific care requirements.
  • Write a detailed care guide, including light, water, soil, and pest control.
  • Share your guide with others online or in person.
Volunteer at a Community Garden
Gain hands-on experience with plant care by volunteering at a local community garden.
Show steps
  • Find a community garden near you.
  • Contact the garden and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Participate in gardening activities, such as planting, watering, and weeding.

Career center

Learners who complete Keep Your Plants Alive - Houseplant Basics for Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Interior Plantscaper
An interior plantscaper designs, installs, and maintains indoor plant displays in homes and commercial spaces. This course directly addresses the core skills required for this role, such as understanding light, water, and soil requirements for houseplants. An interior plantscaper needs to be able to assess indoor environments to select the right plants, and this course covers exactly the type of information that this role needs to be successful. The course's information about pot types and common houseplant problems helps one choose the best setup and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. The course's focus on identifying the different types of light is also particularly helpful to someone working as an interior plantscaper.
Plant Shop Owner
A plant shop owner needs to be knowledgeable about plant care to keep their inventory healthy and thriving. This course provides the basic knowledge that a plant shop owner should have including information on light, water, soil and pots. A plant shop owner can use this information to not only care for their plants, but also answer customer questions, and the information on common problems is something a plant shop owner may need to address daily. This course, with its basic information about houseplants, is a good start in the journey toward opening a plant shop.
Personal Gardener
A personal gardener cares for a specific client's plants, often in an indoor setting. This course provides core knowledge in fundamental plant care, including light, water, soil, and pot selection. A personal gardener can ensure they are providing the best possible care for the plants in their client's home by knowing and using the information provided in this course. The section on common problems and how to fix them is particularly beneficial. This course can be useful for someone who is looking to work as a personal gardener.
Horticultural Assistant
A horticultural assistant supports the care of plants in various settings. This course provides a strong foundation in houseplant basics, covering essential topics such as light, water, and soil, directly applicable to this role. A horticultural assistant can use this knowledge to maintain indoor plant displays, understand different plant needs, and troubleshoot common issues. This course is helpful for anyone looking to work with plants. The course's focus on the nine easiest houseplants to start with also provides valuable practical knowledge for this position, as it allows a person to know which plants are easiest to keep alive even when first learning about plant care.
Residential Caretaker
A residential caretaker may be responsible for maintaining the plants in a home or apartment. This course focuses on the basics of keeping plants alive including essentials such as light, water, and soil. A residential caretaker can use this information to provide care for houseplants in a space. The course's focus on diagnosing and fixing common plant problems will allow any caretaker to keep plants looking their best. As a course focused on the basics of care for indoor plants, this may be useful to someone who would like to be a residential caretaker.
Garden Center Associate
A garden center associate assists customers in purchasing plants and gardening supplies. This course can assist in giving the associate a baseline knowledge regarding plant care. A garden center associate can use this knowledge to provide better customer service and assist them in choosing appropriate plants. The course's discussion of 9 easy houseplants may be particularly useful in this role, as these can be excellent beginner plants that an associate can recommend to their customers. The course introduces information on how to keep plants alive, and this means this course would be especially useful to someone who would like to work as an associate at a garden center.
Botanical Garden Educator
Botanical garden educators teach visitors about the plants within the garden. This course helps in understanding houseplant care essentials such as light, water, and soil, which translate to broader plant care. A botanical garden educator can incorporate the course lessons to better explain plant needs to students of all backgrounds. This course's focus on common problems and how to fix them allows a person to respond to simple questions from the general public, and the pet safety module also adds an extra layer of information that might be useful for educators in this role. This course may be useful for someone looking to further their career in plant education.
Plant Blogger
A plant blogger creates online content about plant care and gardening. This course is helpful because it provides a foundation in plant care knowledge, including light, water, and soil. A plant blogger can use this information to create more accurate and helpful content for their audience. The course's information related to the nine easiest plants is relevant content that could easily be incorporated into blog posts. The course's instruction on diagnosing and fixing common problems is also useful for someone looking to blog about plants. This course may be useful to anyone looking to work as a plant blogger.
Landscape Design Assistant
A landscape design assistant often works with plants for both indoor and outdoor spaces. The course provides foundational knowledge in plant care including light, water, and soil. A landscape design assistant can use this knowledge to select the right types of plants and understand how to keep plants healthy in an indoor client setting. The course's discussion of pot types may be useful when selecting plants to use in indoor design. The focus on pet safety is also beneficial. This course may be useful for anyone who would like to work in landscape design.
Florist
A florist designs and arranges cut flowers, but also often cares for potted plants in their shop. This course provides essential knowledge regarding light, water, soil, and pots. A florist can use this information to keep their potted plants healthy and attractive to customers and the course's detailed discussion of types of light may also be beneficial when determining the proper location in the shop for display. The module on common problems and how to fix them is also quite useful to someone working as a florist. This course may be helpful for someone who would like to begin a career as a florist.
Greenhouse Technician
A greenhouse technician works in an environment with more controlled conditions than a home or office, but they still need to understand basic plant needs. This course covers information about light, water, and soil. A greenhouse technician can use this understanding for various species of plants. While the course focuses on houseplants, the basic principles discussed can often be transferred to other kinds of plants. A greenhouse technician may also find the section on diagnosing and fixing common plant problems extremely useful in their daily work. This course may be useful for anyone working in a greenhouse.
Environmental Educator
An environmental educator teaches others about the environment, and sometimes about plants. This course provides foundational knowledge in plant care, like light, water, and soil. An environmental educator can use this understanding to explain plant needs to their students. The course's focus on basic care makes it easy to grasp the essential concepts. The pet safety information included in the course is useful when discussing any plant topics with the general public. This course may be useful for anyone who is interested in working in the field of environmental education.
Agricultural Extension Agent
An agricultural extension agent provides educational resources and support to agricultural communities. This course focuses on the basics of keeping plants alive including light, water, soil, and pots. An agricultural extension agent can use this knowledge of houseplant care to better understand the basics of plant needs. The course is helpful for understanding common problems that occur when keeping indoor plants. This course may be useful for someone looking to work as an agricultural extension agent.
Laboratory Technician
Some laboratory technicians work in plant biology related fields. This course teaches about plant needs, including the role of light, water, and soil, which are fundamental aspects covered in this course. A laboratory technician can use this knowledge to better understand the plants they may be working with. Although this course is geared towards houseplant care, the principles discussed may be applicable in various laboratory settings. This course may be useful for someone who is interested in working in a laboratory setting.
Science Teacher
A science teacher sometimes teaches about plants and biology. This course provides a good foundation in plant care, including light, water and soil. A science teacher can use this basic understanding to teach students about fundamental systems in plants. The course emphasizes practical knowledge about common problems, which may come up in teaching. This course may be useful for someone who wishes to teach science.

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 Keep Your Plants Alive - Houseplant Basics for Beginners.
Provides a comprehensive guide to houseplant care, covering a wide range of species and their specific needs. It serves as a valuable reference for diagnosing problems and implementing effective solutions. It is more valuable as additional reading to expand on the course's basics. This book is commonly used by houseplant enthusiasts.
Offers a lighthearted and practical approach to houseplant care, focusing on common mistakes and simple solutions. It's a great resource for beginners who want to avoid common pitfalls. This book is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference. It adds breadth to the existing course.

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