Ever hear of benign neglect? The term is used frequently in politics, psychology, and the medical world. Basically, it is an attitude or policy which by ignoring an issue or problem will benefit it more, than trying to solve it.  But in gardening?

Perhaps it means that it's okay not to take immediate action…let nature take its course. In the garden, sometimes not watering and fertilizing constantly is a good thing.   Plants can suffer from too much love.  Over the years I have had plants indoor and out that looked like they were dying, only to discover that when I thought they had died and I left them alone, they came back in abundance. Several were drought tolerant and I was over-watering them, others I had over-fertilized.  The UCD website has a list of plants that are drought tolerant[1] which do well with minimum care. I happen to have some of them. They seem to thrive by my not interfering with their care; Aloe Vera, Jade, Rosemary, String of Pearls, Mint, Orchids, and Succulents. 

photo by Nancy Forrest

[1] Plant Database | UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden