The houseplant murderer: can I become green fingered in eight easy steps?

I have around 20 houseplants - some obviously near death. I called in an expert to teach me how to keep them not just alive, but thrivingI've always owned houseplants - but not, it must be said, always the same houseplants.Of the handful of plants I tend to acquire every year, only one or two survive to see in the next. It's not that I knowingly neglect them: I try to be attentive to their needs, water them regularly, assess their lighting. Every now and again I'll even chuck them some plant food. But sadly it seems my enthusiasm for green matter is not matched by a green thumb. Continue reading...