Never Put a Cactus in the Bathroom: A Room-by-Room Guide to Styling and Caring for Your Houseplants

Indoor gardening enthusiasts will thank Emily L. Hay Hinsdale for writing Never Put a Cactus in the Bathroom, a clear, precise, and delightful guide about caring for common houseplants. The book starts with introductory chapters explaining the benefits of owning houseplants and the basics of care for “easy plants” for novice plant owners. Easy-to-follow tips on how to cultivate houseplants and indoor gardens are supported by “cheat sheet” call-out boxes that offer important advice. Individual sections focus on care for common indoor plants, from aloe to pothos to different kinds of cacti and ficus. These include useful hints on providing optimal water and light.

Hinsdale offers prescriptive suggestions about the best places in your home to nurture specific plants. This is helpful in planning where one might place a lucky bamboo, peace lily, or Boston fern. In addition to tips for the living room, kitchen, and bathroom, the book also has a section on the best selections for your home office.

This book is a joy to thumb through, not only because of the helpful tips delivered in bite-size chunks but also because of the illustrations by Loni Harris. The artwork depicts the peace and serenity of sharing intimate spaces with houseplants. The book would make a great gift for any emerging plant aficionado or those contemplating “plant parenthood.” (Did I mention that Hinsdale’s plant alliterations and puns are on point?)