enough light, set the plant up and keep an eye on it. If the leaves begin yellowing or start to fall off, this might be a sign you need to relocate it somewhere brighter. A lot of indoor plant ownership comes down to trial and error, so keep experimenting and don't get discouraged. Consider your furry roommates If you have pets, you really need to research before purchasing any plants. A surprising amount of common houseplants are toxic to cats and dogs, and range from a mild irritant to deadly. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a lengthy database online on which plants are safe for animals, so always check before bringing a new plant into your home. It's also worth mentioning to doublecheck any second-hand tips you've received. For example, I'd always heard that poinsettias are highly poisonous for cats, but in fact, they're only a slight irritant when ingested. We're living in 2020, so there’s no reason you can't verify information with a quick Internet search of your own Cats, in particular, can be little shits when it comes to nibbling on plants. Unlike dogs, which can be trained to not eat plants, cats lack that cognitive capacity. Dogs can learn to avoid something that makes them sick, while cats will just keep coming back to it. If you're truly in love with a plant that's harmful to pets, keep them on a high shelf or atop a bookcase, so you don't ae MOst ho st u Ont Cos °Sts less th endanger your dumb, loveable cat. Don't let this article fool you into thinking I've got it all figured out when it comes to being a plant dad. I've killed enough plants to be locked up for serial plant murder, but I’ve also learned enough from those mistakes, and have a nice mini-urban jungle in my apartment. Sometimes you forget to water for several weeks, and the plant does just fine. Other times, you do everything right, and the plant dies anyways. Maybe there was a fungus in the soil, or perhaps an unfortunate bug infestation lays siege. Some of these things can be avoidable with more experience and knowledge, while others are just plain bad luck. My advice: Just keep trying until you find the plants that are right for you. Or maybe invest in some fake plants, which will technically live on for centuries. ~ — ee ~~ = Ate ; — = omy tinu t row = = on — Youll) —— on tt ~~ ee — oe ~ Te — on — ee SPecia]j lalized ¢ il for ~— een “QUlar dry mse Illustrations bv Athena Little