Nurturing plants, like anything else in life, takes experience, and what better time to start than now?

Try these professional plant recommendations any first-time owner should know, from how to pot, to learning to just leave your plant alone- all in quest of a healthy plant family:

Consider the light in your environment.

Consider the light quality in your location as the first step in assisting your plants in thriving. A bird-of-paradise won't bloom in the absence of direct sunlight, yet too much light will roast your peace lily to death. So begin by assessing your environment's capacity and selecting a plant that will thrive there. “If you're not sure what kind of light you have merely by looking, start by finding out which way your windows face, then see if there's anything stopping natural sunshine from streaming in.

Avoid overwatering.

One of the simplest ways to kill a houseplant is to overwater it. You may be tempted to water your plants on a regular basis, but the ideal option is to water just when necessary. Before watering, always examine the soil. Wait to water it if it's still wet. Yellowing leaves are one of the unmistakable signs of an overwatered plant. 

Dead leaves should be removed.

Don't get discouraged by the faded leaves. Remove the damaged section of a leaf, or the entire leaf if it's completely brown, if you notice a plant is starting to yellow. The afflicted region will be removed, making room for fresh life. With a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears, remove the yellow or brown crispy leaves (they will not become green again). Between each snip, wipe the blades clean with rubbing alcohol. Because you never want to remove more than 30% of the afflicted leaves at once, you may need to remove leaves in phases.

Avoid underwatering.

Water is obviously necessary for your plant to thrive, despite the risk of overwatering. Keep an eye on your plant's soil to see if it's thirsty. Check to see if the soil is dry if your plant is withering and has crispy brown leaf edges. Push your finger into the dirt about two or three inches. Fill a sink with two to four inches of lukewarm water if it's dry. Remove the planter from its saucer and place it in the sink; the plant will absorb the water from the bottom. Allow 30 to 60 minutes for the process to complete, depending on the size of the pot; the larger the pot, the longer it should be submerged.

Keep a consistent temperature.

Next time you're wondering if you dropped a few marbles while conversing with your plant, remember that we're actually fairly similar to our green companions. Houseplants, like us, prefer temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme cold or hot temperature swings can cause them to get stressed. Plants should not be placed near temperature dangers such as vents, radiators, exterior doors, or open windows, as they might cause hot or cold drafts of air.

Now that you've learned how to keep your plants alive and well, it's time to look for everything you'll need as a budding horticulturist.