As spring begins quietly, bulbs break through the soil and nature wakes from its sleep, you may find yourself dreaming of a plant-filled home or transforming your backyard into a gardener's oasis. Whether you're a botanist at heart or convinced you have a brown thumb, these tips from local plant nursery Huatan Gardens' owner, Daniel Gomez Bilbao, will help you to cultivate your plant dreams this season.
“Gardening is a journey, not a destination,” says Gomez Bilbao. “Plants grow at their own pace, and so do gardeners. Patience, curiosity, and a willingness to learn will always yield the best results.”
A Houseplant Guide
Whether you’re known as a “plant whisperer” or want to add a pop of green into your home, choosing the right indoor plants is the first step. Gomez Bilbao recommends pothos, snake plants, philodendrons, peace lilies, ZZ plants, and monsteras, all of which thrive in our humid climate.
When it comes to caring for these plants, Gomez Bilbao suggests ensuring proper drainage holes, avoiding overwatering, and placing them in bright, indirect light.
“Having a green thumb isn’t about luck, it’s about paying attention,” says Gomez Bilbao.
By observing how plants respond to different stimuli—light, water, soil, environment—we can learn, adapt, and help them flourish.
Tips for Beginning a Garden
A good garden begins with understanding your foundation and working with your environment.
“The Woodlands has sandy, acidic soil, so improving soil with compost is essential,” says Gomez Bilbao.
Once you've addressed your soil, Gomez Bilbao recommends choosing shrubs that grow well in the local climate, including azaleas, gardenias, and yaupon holly, as well as perennials such as lantana, salvia, pentas, and coneflowers. Wherever you are in your gardening journey, Gomez Bilbao encourages experimenting and noted that “gardening should be enjoyable, not stressful. Consistency matters more than perfection.”
“The goal isn’t to replicate a picture-perfect garden, but to create a space that brings joy, peace, and connection to nature.”