green thumb

noun

1. an exceptional aptitude for gardening or for growing plants successfully:

   Houseplants provide much pleasure for the city dweller with a green thumb.

green thumb

noun

1. considerable talent or ability to grow plants Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)green fingers

green thumb

1. A knack for growing plants and keeping them healthy: “All my houseplants are in sorry shape; it's clear I don't have a green thumb.”

Other Words From

• green-thumbed adjective
• green-thumber noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of green thumb¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Idioms and Phrases

A knack for making plants grow well, as in Just look at Louise's plants—she really has a green thumb . This term presumably alludes to the stained fingers of an avid gardener. [First half of 1900s]

Example Sentences

He was happy to leave the plant decisions to Solberg, the green thumb of the family.

From Los Angeles Times

His maternal grandmother was gifted with plant caregiving, and his mother was an “incredible grower” with an expert green thumb.

From Los Angeles Times

A walking red flag with a green thumb, he goes by the name Narvel Roth, which is surely some sort of punishment.

From Los Angeles Times

“I like to think that they’re helping me with my green thumb,” Fleck said.

From Seattle Times

My reading also resolved a lifelong obstacle to gardening: my lack of a green thumb.

From Washington Post