green thumb

plural green thumbs

1. USidiomaticA natural skill for gardening.

   Wow, did you plant this entire garden on your own? You really must have a green thumb.

   3 more examples

   Everyone knows someone who has a "green thumb," who seems to be able to get plants to grow well just by being around, by talking or even playing music[…]

   1987, Lyall Watson, The dreams of dragons: riddles of natural history

   […]they leave gardening to those who presumably have lots of time to read and better yet, have a "green thumb."

   2003, Barbara Damrosch, The Garden Primer

   Oh, I'll never have a green thumb, no matter how long I stay at it. Nothing ever seems to work for me. Everything I plant dies.

   2006, Des Kennedy, The Passionate Gardener: Adventures of an Ardent Green Thumb

   Synonyms: green fingers · Antonyms: black thumb, brown thumb

2. USA person with this skill.

   I should ask the green thumb next door what she recommends for my droopy daffodils.