The book begins with a section called “The Basics”, which covers how to buy the plant, where to put it, how to water it, how to feed it, and how to spot pests and diseases. Don’t know the name of your plant? The beginning of the section has an eight page index of illustrations for you to look at to identify your plant and find it in the book. Each plant has several pages of information including full color photos and details on what that plants requires to survive indoors. My advice: Keep the little stick that comes in the starter pot. It has valuable information on it about food, light, and watering needs.

So will this book help the noobie? Yes, but it is not going to cover every scenario. However, it will help people give their plant a fighting chance by giving it the right amount of light, the correct room temperature, and a proper watering schedule. In my experience, overwatering is the biggest killer of plants. The roots can survive a lack of light, less than ideal temperatures, and even underwatering, but too much water causes the plant to rot and die.

The book is also a handy quick-reference guide. I consider myself to have a green thumb and a lot of what I do is instinctive. But once in a while I don’t know a plant’s name and the index of illustrations has already proven helpful. Will it solve all your problems? No, but it’s a good start for the horticulturally challenged and is written in an approachable, friendly manner. ( )