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How’s Your Green

Thumb?

by Maria Gracia Published on May 1, 2025 From thriving plant lovers to faux-flower fans, GON readers share how their green thumbs measure up in this fun spring gardening poll, complete with personal stories and surprises. Join our newsletter to be notified when new content is added to our website. Plants: Love 'Em or Leave 'Em? How GON Readers Ranked Their Green Thumbs Whether you adore digging in the dirt or prefer to admire flowers from afar, spring tends to bring out strong feelings about plants. So last month, we asked GON readers: How’s your green thumb? And the responses were a perfect mix of confident gardeners, casual plant dabblers, and folks who wave the white flag when it comes to plant care. The top response? A solid 50% said their gardening efforts are “hit or miss—some live, some don’t.” Let’s face it, between weather swings, curious pets, and busy schedules, it’s no wonder even the most well-meaning plant lovers experience a few casualties. A cheerful 27% proudly claimed their plants are thriving—indoors, outdoors, or both. From container gardens and herb boxes to vibrant flower beds, these readers have truly earned their green thumbs. The remaining answers were just as relatable. 10% openly admitted to being serial plant killers, another 10% offered “other” creative replies (including pets who nibble fake plants!), and a small-but-mighty 3% said they stick to only faux plants—because, as one reader put it, “babysitting plants doesn’t bring me joy.” Here are all the results in order, followed by some favorite reader comments: 50% Hit or miss—some live, some don’t 27% Thriving—my plants love me 10% I kill every plant I touch 10% Other 3% Only fake plants for me! Personal GON reader comments: • Thank goodness there are perennials that don't need attention. I love spending time in my yard, but babysitting plants doesn't bring me joy. I love other people's gardens though! • I have several outside gardens with perennials and containers of annuals. Inside due to limited sunlight I have faux plants. I do love outside gardening and moving my inside plants around for fresh looks. • I need everything outside or at work because I’m the owner of a crazy cat who eats plants. Even caught trying to eat the artificial flower basket and fake Xmas tree! • Indoor plants are doing okay. Need to find some outdoor ones that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. • My thumb is the color of the Grinch! It’s green but there is that one shade that just doesn’t get along with others! • I love experimenting with new plants. They always are a challenging! • House plants are too messy, so we keep our planting only for the outside. I prefer fresh cut flowers in a vase instead. Coniferous hedges so less leaves, pavers and river rocks to avoid having to constantly mow grass. • My parents had a flower shop. I was raised with flowers. I plant everything. Vegetables, flowers and lots of herbs. My thumb is permanently green. • I have outside cats; they love to curl up in the flower pots! • Plants doing okay in and out. But want to have more flowers in the yard. Hope to plant a bunch this year. • I'm an under-waterer, so I need plants that can live with infrequent waterings. • Many years ago, I realized that I could not raise both children and plants at the same time! Sadly, I'm not much better with plants now that my three have grown up. Back to Web Poll Results Index