My Indoor Plant Journey: From Killing 15 Orchids to 5-Year Plant Success

My Indoor Plant Journey: From Killing 15 Orchids to 5-Year Plant Success

I don’t have a green thumb. At all. My mother and grandmother? They can keep plants alive for DECADES. My grandmother had the same orchid for 5-10 years. Meanwhile, I’ve killed 10-15 orchids in 5 years.

But I love plants. I love the idea of a lush, green living room. I love how they soften a space and add life to our rental. So during COVID (2020), when we were all stuck at home with nothing to do, I thought, “Maybe I can learn to be a plant person.”

I signed up for a plant subscription (Plants.ca), bought plants from Home Depot, and filled our living room with greenery. Then came the gnat infestation. For TWO YEARS, I battled fungus gnats. I lost 5 plants (prayer plant, wandering jew, lily plant, monstera, and real yucca tree). I tried everything – hydrogen peroxide, vinegar sprays, repotting, and changing soil.

Finally, yellow sticky pads saved the day. 5 years later, I have 4 surviving plants (pothos, snake plants, ZZ plant, rubber plant) and 3 strategic fake plants. I water every 2 weeks. My pothos tells me when it’s thirsty by wilting slightly.

I use a free plant diagnostic app (Picture This) when something looks off. I’m not a plant expert. I’m a plant survivor. Here’s my real journey – what worked, what failed, and how I finally found a low-maintenance plant system for our dark rental. Check out my other home solutions: scents for the home, living room refresh, and clutter-free living.

My Plant Journey (2020 – 2025)

How I Became a (Reluctant) Plant Person

PHASE 1: The COVID Plant Craze (2020)

What happened: COVID lockdown. Everyone was stuck at home. Plant subscriptions were everywhere. I thought, “I can do this. I can be a plant mom.”

What I did:

• Signed up for Plants.ca subscription (~1 year)
• Bought plants from Home Depot
• Filled our living room with greenery

Plants I bought:

• Pothos (2 of them)
• Snake plants
• ZZ plant
• Rubber plant
• Prayer plant
• Wandering Jew
• Lily plant
• Monstera
• Real Yucca plant
• Orchids (many orchids… RIP)

My mindset: “If my 80-year-old grandmother can keep an orchid alive for 10 years, I can figure this out.”

Spoiler: I could not figure out orchids.

PHASE 2: The Gnat Infestation Disaster (2020-2022)

The problem: Fungus gnats. EVERYWHERE.

How it started: Overwatered one plant. Gnats laid eggs in the moist soil. Spread to ALL my plants.

What I lost:

• Prayer plant (dead from gnats)
• Wandering Jew (dead from gnats)
• Lily plant (dead from gnats)
• Monstera (dead from gnats)
• Real Yucca plant (dead from gnats)

Total casualties: 5 plants

What I tried (that DIDN’T work):

1. Hydrogen peroxide soil drench

• Mix: 1 part hydrogen peroxide,
• 4 parts water
• Pour into the soil to kill gnat larvae

Result: Gnats came back within weeks

2. Vinegar traps

• Apple cider vinegar + dish soap in bowls near plants
• Supposed to attract and trap gnats

Result: Caught some gnats, but didn’t stop the infestation

3. Letting the soil dry out completely

• Gnats thrive in moist soil, so I stopped watering

Result: Plants started dying from underwatering, and gnats still survived

4. Repotting with fresh soil

• Thought I could start clean

Result: Gnats returned (eggs were in the plant roots, not just soil)

What FINALLY worked: Yellow sticky pads inside every planter. What they are: Small yellow sticky traps (like fly paper) that you stick into the soil

How they work: Adult gnats are attracted to the yellow colour, land on the sticky surface, and get trapped

Where I bought them: Amazon, pack of 20-30 for ~$10

Timeline: Took about 2 YEARS to fully eliminate gnats (they kept breeding in the soil)

Why it worked:

• Trapped adult gnats before they could lay more eggs
• Broke the breeding cycle
• Didn’t harm plants (unlike hydrogen peroxide overdoses)

Current status: Gnat-free for 3+ years now. Still keep yellow sticky pads in planters as prevention.

PHASE 3: The Orchid Graveyard (2020-2025)

Orchids killed: 10-15 (I lost count). Where I bought them: Grocery stores, Home Depot, and gifts

The problem: Orchids bloom beautifully. Then the flowers fall off. Then the plant wilts and dies.

What I tried:

• Ice cube watering method (1-2 ice cubes per week – THIS IS WRONG)
• Misting leaves
• Indirect light
• Orchid fertilizer

What happened: Every. Single. One. Died. Why: I have no idea. I’ve watched YouTube tutorials. Read articles. Asked my grandmother (her orchids live for 10 years!). I’ve accepted: I cannot keep orchids alive. They’re beautiful, but they’re not for me.

Current stance: No more orchids. I’ve learned my limits.

PHASE 4: Finding My Plant Rhythm (2022-2025)

After 2 years of trial, error, and gnat wars, I finally found what works.

Current surviving plants (5 years strong):

1. Pothos (2 plants)

• Placement: Flanking the corners of the living room and dining room walls
• Why they survive: TELL me when they’re thirsty (leaves wilt slightly)
• Watering: Every 2 weeks (or when they wilt)
• Light: Low to medium (perfect for our dark rental)

2. Snake plants (2 plants)

• Placement: Large one in kitchen, small fake one (decoy) from Amazon ($30)
• Why they survive: Indestructible. Can go 3-4 weeks without water.
• Watering: Every 2-3 weeks
• Light: Low (thrives in our dim kitchen)

3. ZZ plant

• Placement: Living room, in front of a fake yucca tree next to patio doors
• Why it survives: Stores water in rhizomes, drought-tolerant
• Watering: Every 2-3 weeks
• Light: Low to medium

4. Rubber plant

• Placement: Living room
• Why it survives: Hardy, forgiving
• Watering: Every 2 weeks
• Light: Medium indirect (near patio doors but not direct sun)

My watering schedule: Every 2 weeks. Pothos wilts = time to water everything.

My plant care routine:

• Check plants every 2 weeks
• Water if the soil is dry 2 inches down
• Use the Picture This app if something looks off
• Yellow sticky pads in every planter (gnat prevention)

That’s it. No fertilizer. No misting. No complicated schedules.

PHASE 5: Strategic Fake Plants (Because I’m Realistic)

I also have 3 fake plants mixed in with the real ones.

Why fake plants:

• Our rental is DARK (trees block the sun, floor-to-ceiling windows, but no ledges)
• Some spots need greener,y but don’t get enough light for real plants
• Low maintenance (no watering, no gnats)

My fake plants:

1. Large fake yucca tree

– Where: Amazon – Cost: ~$100 – Placement: Living room corner, ZZ plant in front of it (real + fake combo) – Looks real? YES (from a distance)

2. Small fake snake plant

– Where: Amazon – Cost: ~$30 – Placement: Mixed with real snake plants – Looks real? Yes

3. Hanging fake eucalyptus – Where: Dollar Store – Cost: $4 – Placement: Hanging in the living room – Looks real? Surprisingly yes! (except close up)

The strategy: Mix real and fake. Guests can’t tell the difference.

Total fake plant investment: ~$134. Worth it? Absolutely. Fills empty corners, zero maintenance, no risk of death.

My Plant Mistakes and Lessons Learned

What I Wish I’d Known 5 Years Ago

MISTAKE #1: Buying high-maintenance plants

What I did: Bought prayer plants, wandering Jew, monstera – all plants that need specific humidity, light, and watering.

What happened: They died. (Well, the gnats killed them, but I couldn’t have saved them anyway.)

What I learned: Stick to LOW-MAINTENANCE plants. Pothos, snake plants, and ZZ plants. Plants that forgive you for forgetting to water.

MISTAKE #2: The ice cube orchid lies.

What I believed: “Water orchids with 1-2 ice cubes per week! It’s foolproof!”

What happened: All my orchids died.

What I learned: The ice cube method doesn’t work (for me). Orchids need proper watering, humidity, and light. I don’t have a green thumb for orchids.

Current stance: No more orchids. Ever.

MISTAKE #3: Overwatering = gnat city

What I did: Thought “more water = healthier plants.”

What happened: Moist soil = fungus gnat paradise. They laid eggs, multiplied, and infested every plant.

What I learned: Most plants die from OVERwatering, not underwatering. Let the soil dry out between waterings.

MISTAKE #4: Not acting fast on gnat infestation

What I did: Saw a few gnats. Thought “Eh, it’s fine.”

What happened: By the time I took it seriously, they’d spread to ALL my plants. Took 2 YEARS to eliminate.

What I learned: Yellow sticky pads at the FIRST SIGN of gnats. Don’t wait.

MISTAKE #5: Buying plants for spots with no light

What I did: Put plants in dark corners because they “looked pretty there.”

What happened: Plants struggled, yellowed, and died.

What I learned: Even “low-light” plants need SOME light. Our rental is dark (trees block the sun). I can only keep plants near patio doors or in spots with indirect light.

Solution: Fake plants for truly dark corners.

MISTAKE #6: Not using a plant diagnostic app sooner

What I did: Guessed what was wrong with struggling plants. Usually guessed wrong.

What I learned: Picture This app (free version) = game changer. Take a photo, get diagnosis + care tips. Wish I’d known this in 2020. Would’ve saved plants.

Tools And Resources That Actually Help

What I Use to Keep Plants Alive

TOOL #1: Picture This App

What it is: Plant identification and diagnostic app

Cost:

• Free version: Basic ID, care tips, some diagnostics – Paid version: $30/year for detailed diagnostics. What I use: Free version

How it helps:

• Take a photo of the struggling plant
• App diagnoses issue (overwatering, pests, nutrient deficiency)
• Gives care tips

Example: Pothos leaves turning yellow → App said “overwatering” → I reduced watering → Leaves recovered

Worth it? YES. Saves me from killing plants through guesswork.

TOOL #2: Yellow sticky pads

What they are: Small yellow sticky traps for soil (catch fungus gnats)

Where: Amazon

Cost: ~$10 for a pack of 20-30

How I use them: Stick 1-2 pads in each planter. Replace when covered in gnats (or every few months).

Why essential: Prevents gnat infestations. I NEVER skip this now.

TOOL #3: Watering schedule (mental, not app)

My system: Water every 2 weeks. Pothos wilts = reminder to water everything.

Why this works:

• Simple (no app to remember)
• Pothos is my “indicator plant” (tells me when it’s time)
• A consistent schedule prevents overwatering

TOOL #4: Fake plants for dark spots

Where I buy:

• Amazon (large realistic plants, $30-100)
• Dollar Store (small filler plants, $3-5)

Why I use them: Our rental is DARK. Some corners need greenery but can’t support real plants.

Strategy: Mix real + fake. Guests can’t tell.

Challenges Of Plants In A Dark Rental

Why Our Rental Makes Plant Care Hard

CHALLENGE #1: Trees block sunlight

The problem: Our rental is surrounded by mature trees. Beautiful for shade, terrible for indoor light.

Impact on plants:

• Even “low-light” plants struggle
• Can only keep plants near patio doors (medium indirect light)
• No window ledges (floor-to-ceiling windows)

Solution:

• Stick to VERY low-light tolerant plants (pothos, snake, ZZ)
• Use fake plants for truly dark corners

CHALLENGE #2: No window ledges

The problem: Floor-to-ceiling windows = no ledges for small plants

Impact: Can’t display plants in windows (where they’d get best light)

Solution:

• Floor plants only (large pothos, snake plants, rubber plant)
• Hanging plants (fake eucalyptus)

CHALLENGE #3: Kids + pets (well, no pets, but kids)

The problem: 3 kids (15, 10, 8) = plants at risk of being knocked over

Impact: Can’t have delicate plants on surfaces that kids might bump

Solution:

• Floor plants in corners (out of traffic flow)
• Sturdy planters (not tippy)

My Current Plant Setup

Where Plants Live in Our Rental

Living room:

• 2 pothos (flanking corners of living/dining wall)
• ZZ plant (in front of fake yucca, near patio doors)
• Rubber plant (near patio doors)
• Fake yucca tree ($100, Amazon, corner filler)
• Hanging fake eucalyptus ($4, Dollar Store)

Kitchen:

• Large snake plant (corner, low light)

Bedrooms/bathrooms:

• None (too dark, not worth the effort)

Fake snake plant:

• Decoy mixed with real plants ($30, Amazon)

Total plant count:

• 4 real plants (all 5+ years old, survivors!)
• 3 fake plants (strategic fillers)

Maintenance:

• Water every 2 weeks
• Yellow sticky pads in all planters
• Picture This app when something looks off. That’s it.

Discontinued Plant Habits

What I Used to Do (And Why I Stopped)

HABIT #1: Fresh flower bouquets

What I used to buy:

Peonies and hydrangeas from the grocery store

Cost: $15-30 per bouquet

How often: Springtime treat

Why I stopped:

• Expensive ($30+ per bouquet for 1-2 weeks of life)
• Had to replace constantly
• Just didn’t feel worth it anymore

Current stance: Occasionally buy in spring, but not regularly

HABIT #2: Front patio hydrangeas

What I used to do:

Potted hydrangeas (pink and blue) on front patio every spring

Where from: Home Depot

Cost: $20-40 per plant

Why I stopped: Direct summer sun BURNED them.

The problem:

• Spring: Hydrangeas looked beautiful (mild temps, some shade)
• Summer: Full sun all day, plants scorched and died
• Couldn’t keep them alive past June

Lesson: Our patio gets too much direct sun for hydrangeas. Current stance: No more patio plants. Not worth replacing every year.

Honest Indoor Plant Advice

What I’ve Learned After 5 Years

TIP #1: Start with indestructible plants. If you’re new to plants (or a serial plant killer like me), start here:

✅ Pothos – Tells you when it’s thirsty (wilts), forgiving, low light

✅ Snake plant – Can go weeks without water, thrives on neglect

✅ ZZ plant – Stores water, drought-tolerant, low light

Skip (until you’re confident):

❌ Orchids (too finicky)

❌ Ferns (need humidity)

❌ Fiddle leaf fig (dramatic, dies easily)

TIP #2: Yellow sticky pads = gnat prevention. Don’t wait for a gnat infestation. Use yellow sticky pads from DAY ONE. Trust me. I fought gnats for 2 years. Never again.

TIP #3: Use a plant diagnostic app. Picture This (free version) has saved multiple plants. Don’t guess. Take a photo, get a diagnosis.

TIP #4: It’s okay to use fake plants. I have 3 fake plants mixed with 4 real plants. No one can tell. If a spot is too dark for real plants, go fake. No shame.

TIP #5: Accept your limits. I’ve killed 10-15 orchids. I will NEVER keep an orchid alive. And that’s okay. Find plants that work for YOUR lifestyle, YOUR space, YOUR skill level. For me: Pothos, snake plants, ZZ plants. That’s it.

TIP #6: Water less than you think. Most plants die from OVERwatering, not underwatering. My rule: Water every 2 weeks. If the soil is still moist, skip it.

TIP #7: Know your light situation. Our rental is DARK. I can’t keep highlight plants alive. Assess YOUR rental’s light:

• Bright (south-facing windows): Can handle most plants
• Medium (east/west windows): Medium-light plants
• Low (north-facing, trees blocking): Only low-light plants

Don’t fight your rental’s limitations. Work with what you have.

More Home Solutions:

• Scents for the Home
• Refresh Your Rental Living Room
• Clutter-Free Living for Families
• Bedroom Sanctuary Transformation

Conclusion

5 Years Later: Still Not a Plant Expert I’m not a plant mom with 50 thriving plants. I’m a plant survivor with 4 plants that refuse to die. My grandmother keeps orchids alive for 10 years. I’ve killed 15. My mother has a green thumb. I have… persistence.

But I’ve learned:

• Stick to low-maintenance plants (pothos, snake, ZZ)
• Water every 2 weeks (less is more)
• Yellow sticky pads prevent gnat disasters
• Picture This app diagnoses problems
• Fake plants fill dark corners (no shame)
• Accept your limits (I’ll never keep orchids alive)

My advice if you want indoor plants in your rental: Don’t try to be a plant expert. Just find 2-3 indestructible plants that work in YOUR space. Use tools (diagnostic app, sticky pads, watering schedule). Mix real and fake plants if your rental is dark (like ours).

And don’t beat yourself up when plants die. I lost 5 plants to gnats, 15 orchids to… who knows what. It happens. Questions about keeping plants alive in a dark rental? Drop them in the comments! Ready to transform your rental? Join other renters → Subscribe to the newsletter in the sidebar