I often get called the "plant person" among my friends and family, and people frequently ask for help with their plants. The problem is, they usually refer to them by their common names like "money plant" or "rubber plant," which often don't help me identify them because so many plants share similar names. I'd love to give the right care advice, but I need to know the actual species, not just a common name!
2 Answers
Totally get you! It makes things tricky for sure. I usually ask for a picture when someone needs help. My go-to advice is to just water it less and see what happens since most non-plant people tend to overwater their plants.
I feel you! The confusion stemming from common plant names is real. It can get misleading. I dive into native plants too, and it’s a similar struggle. Try to stick with scientific names! Maybe your friends will start to remember them better over time.
Exactly! I just text my mom the scientific names whenever she sends me photos of new plants—no time for common names!
Right? I find myself giving the same basic tips too once they describe their plant's issues, and it usually turns out to be about watering!