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Plants You Can't Kill: 101 Easy-to-Grow Species for Beginning Gardeners
"I kill everything I plant."
Does this sound like you or someone you know? Give yourself a pat on the back because admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery. And lucky for you, you can easily turn your brown thumb into a green one with the help of Plants You Can’t Kill .
Seriously—it doesn’t matter how many plants you’ve killed in gardens past. It’s time to put those experiences behind you and finally grow something in your empty and bare spots. This is the only gardening book you’ll ever need with more than 100 plant picks for every situation. You want veggies? We have ’em. You need to fill a big space? We have shrub ideas for you. You just want something pretty? We have plenty of that, as well.
The plants in Plants You Can’t Kill have been vetted by an amazing and famous panel of horticulture experts (this is just a fancy way of saying they went to college for gardening), so feel confident you’re not wasting money on yet another gardening book. These plants will actually survive your well-meaning, yet sometimes neglectful ways.
Ready for the most resilient, hardcore, badass list of plants known to gardeners? Find them and grow them with the help of Plants You Can’t Kill .
Does this sound like you or someone you know? Give yourself a pat on the back because admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery. And lucky for you, you can easily turn your brown thumb into a green one with the help of Plants You Can’t Kill .
Seriously—it doesn’t matter how many plants you’ve killed in gardens past. It’s time to put those experiences behind you and finally grow something in your empty and bare spots. This is the only gardening book you’ll ever need with more than 100 plant picks for every situation. You want veggies? We have ’em. You need to fill a big space? We have shrub ideas for you. You just want something pretty? We have plenty of that, as well.
The plants in Plants You Can’t Kill have been vetted by an amazing and famous panel of horticulture experts (this is just a fancy way of saying they went to college for gardening), so feel confident you’re not wasting money on yet another gardening book. These plants will actually survive your well-meaning, yet sometimes neglectful ways.
Ready for the most resilient, hardcore, badass list of plants known to gardeners? Find them and grow them with the help of Plants You Can’t Kill .
- GenresGardeningNonfiction
192 pages, Paperback
Published February 21, 2017
137 people are currently reading
868 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 30, 2018
I do not have a natural green thumb and have been heard saying, repeatedly, “I kill everything I plant!” Well, with the exception of lavender and sunflowers. This book has me filled with hope and excitement!! We’ve made a list of seeds we’re going to buy this spring and I will definitely refer back to this book.
March 19, 2022
"Plants You Can't Kill" ...challenge accepted! Or should I say, already completed...
I do not have a very green thumb. I was able to grow house plants for a while, even tried a veggie garden before and did ok but never tell me you can't kill a certain kind of plant because I will find it... and kill it (on accident).
That all aside, this book is great! It goes through several annuals, perennials, grasses, trees and veggies. while some of these plants do have some more requirements than just watering a lot of them are fairly easy to care for, though some do need a tad more attention than I'm wiling to give. This book gave some nice tips as well.
I do not have a very green thumb. I was able to grow house plants for a while, even tried a veggie garden before and did ok but never tell me you can't kill a certain kind of plant because I will find it... and kill it (on accident).
That all aside, this book is great! It goes through several annuals, perennials, grasses, trees and veggies. while some of these plants do have some more requirements than just watering a lot of them are fairly easy to care for, though some do need a tad more attention than I'm wiling to give. This book gave some nice tips as well.
March 30, 2022
Great checklist for me to use. I've killed 10 of the plants so far. Let you all know when I kill them all. My powers know no bounds.
May 10, 2017
I was so happy to get this book in the mail. I have killed everything from bamboo to cactus to trees. Nothing can stand up to my black thumb. Except a weird not-weed thing that has sprouted in my compost that I'm too nervous to cut down in case it's actually something interesting.
I thought the information was presented clearly, thoughtfully, and even interestingly. There are no difficult or advanced gardening lingo in the book and there are some helpful tips on nearly every page. My only qualm is the pictures. While they are absolutely gorgeous and colorful, I feel like Tornio missed a trick by not putting more pictures for each plant and/or adding information directly on the images. Otherwise, definitely a keeper and a great gift for that black thumb in your life.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
I thought the information was presented clearly, thoughtfully, and even interestingly. There are no difficult or advanced gardening lingo in the book and there are some helpful tips on nearly every page. My only qualm is the pictures. While they are absolutely gorgeous and colorful, I feel like Tornio missed a trick by not putting more pictures for each plant and/or adding information directly on the images. Otherwise, definitely a keeper and a great gift for that black thumb in your life.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
December 22, 2020
Disappointed
The title leads one to believe that the plants listed would be immune to most, if not all, gardening mistakes. However, this is not the case. For example, take the Boston Fern listed in the "Houseplants" section. Tornio makes it clear that this plant needs an environment of high humidity going so far as suggesting it be moved into a bathroom during dryer winter months. Personally, I don't find a plant that has to be moved from room to room to ensure its continued existence easy-to- grow. Also, speaking from personal experience, I have killed a half dozen or so Boston Ferns in the course of my life, and now I know why they died. If I had known about the need for humidity...well it doesn't mean I would have moved them, but at least I would have known why they were dying. Long story short, the title is misleading, but the book was interesting.
The title leads one to believe that the plants listed would be immune to most, if not all, gardening mistakes. However, this is not the case. For example, take the Boston Fern listed in the "Houseplants" section. Tornio makes it clear that this plant needs an environment of high humidity going so far as suggesting it be moved into a bathroom during dryer winter months. Personally, I don't find a plant that has to be moved from room to room to ensure its continued existence easy-to- grow. Also, speaking from personal experience, I have killed a half dozen or so Boston Ferns in the course of my life, and now I know why they died. If I had known about the need for humidity...well it doesn't mean I would have moved them, but at least I would have known why they were dying. Long story short, the title is misleading, but the book was interesting.
September 27, 2017
This book is perfect for me! Over the years, I've realized I can grow some plants, but they need to be quite forgiving. This book has a big selection of plants and gives you all the information you need. It would be helpful if the author mentioned which houseplants were safe for pets but at least she reminds readers to do their research.
I plan on buying a copy of this for my own reference and I recommend it to anyone who, like me, does not have a shiny green thumb!
I plan on buying a copy of this for my own reference and I recommend it to anyone who, like me, does not have a shiny green thumb!
June 12, 2025
Stacy wonderfully captures the list of amazing annual, perennial, house plants , veggies and shrubs that can be planted in house gardens and homes. The book documents the different soil conditions, sunlight variations, water needs , plant combinations, colour variations for different type of plants. I was new to plants but this book helped me create a list of different type of annuals , perennials and house plants that will work successfully for me.
April 19, 2018
This is a great book for the beginning gardener or for those who tend to have a black, rather than green, thumb. Each page identifies a plan that is easy-to-grow (hard-to-kill) and offers a profile, some essential stats, and tips for growing. Sometimes favourite varieties of the species are also offered. Covers annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees. Simple and easy-to-read.
December 31, 2023
We owned a commercial greenhouse business for years, I am a master gardener who spend as much time as possible playing in dirt and with plants and rocks.
This book was an impulse buy to see what it said was easy to grow and hard to kill.
They got it right, even though some of those plants, like raspberries and mint can become your biggest headache!
This book was an impulse buy to see what it said was easy to grow and hard to kill.
They got it right, even though some of those plants, like raspberries and mint can become your biggest headache!
October 22, 2025
Happened to be just a listing of 101 plants with photos of them and when to plant them, etc. Plants included were more for your garden, few for indoors. Some herbs, grasses, trees and shrubs. Should have paid attention to the "for Beginning Gardeners" in the title.
September 4, 2018
Cute for absolute beginners. That's it. Will boost confidence and get people interested in gardening.
April 28, 2019
a good reference for easy to grow plants
April 3, 2017
Great intro to some easy to grow plants! I'm looking forward to growing some of these this summer.
April 11, 2017
This book is perfect for me! I do kill all plants, except the one I got at my Dad's funeral. It has been a chore to keep it alive too, because I have zero skills when it comes to gardening and plant maintenance. So this book has allowed my husband and myself to plan and prepared to add more plants into our house, into our garden and into our flower beds. There is so much to love about this book. It is easy to read/understand, there are bright and beautiful pictures and tips to help you hone your skills and to slowly become a green thumb. Each page features a plant, their profile, stats, tip and other added informational goodies!!! Who knew there was 101 plants I cannot kill. I love that this book is broke down in the following categories: annuals, perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees, houseplants, veggies and herb, as well as a funny and sweet disclaimer, special thanks, about the author and a plant index. I am telling you, this book has everything a novice green thumb would need and want to be on the road to gardening like a pro. A must for all households wanting to add more healthy and beautiful plants, veggies, herbs, trees and other greenery into your life.
April 12, 2017
Lots of good suggestions.
April 19, 2017
Quick reference book, divided into annuals, perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees, houseplants, and fruits and vegetables.
Color photos. Short descriptions of varieties, sizes, sun / shade needs, soil needs.
For an amateur gardener, Plants You Can't Kill is an excellent starting point.
Color photos. Short descriptions of varieties, sizes, sun / shade needs, soil needs.
For an amateur gardener, Plants You Can't Kill is an excellent starting point.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews