Bonus: Reader’s Digest Houseplants

ISBN: 9780762108947

I bought this book.

If you’ve always wanted to have a “pet” plant, either herbs indoors, a heirloom christmas cactus from a family member that you want to keep alive, plants for decoration, or for their air-cleaning abilities, but haven’t had a friend or family member to give you tips along the way, this book is a good place to start. About the first third functions as a crash course on types of soil, types of pots and plants, seasonal plants, methods of propagation, tips on saving a water-logged plant and more. The rest of the book is an encyclopedia, complete with full color, excellent photos that can make choosing, or identifying a plant a breeze as well as care guides, tidbits about history, and a handy chart near the back of plants for specific needs (like to increase the humidity in a room, or plants that can survive cool, low light rooms).

The book isn’t a compendium, but it is an excellent place for beginners (or those with holes in their plant care knowledge) to start. A vivid, useful addition to a gardening resource library.