Have you ever wondered where the expression “green thumb” came from? Those who study the origin of phrases suspect it came from gardeners’ fingers turning green from clutching moss-stained flowerpots, or from pinching leaves or buds.

According to an English legend, a Medieval king loved peas, and greatly rewarded anyone who could bring the greatest quantity of shelled peas, which produced green fingers, of course. The person with the most peas, along with their green-stained thumbs, won the honor of being the best gardener.

Whatever its origin, having a green thumb is synonymous with making plants flourish. Luckily, there’s really nothing magical, mysterious or elusive about a green thumb. A green thumb is simply providing a plant with what it needs, and if its needs are met, the plant will thrive. Because anyone can learn what plants need, anyone’s thumb can turn green.

Autumn is the perfect time to turn a houseplant thumb a deeper shade of green. While we still have days with mild temperatures, certain houseplant tasks are much easier now, before temperatures turn frigid.

Following are houseplant tasks for autumn: