Care for the Common Houseplants

plant basics so you won't ever kill a plant again

(you probably still will, this is a continuous learning process)

General Plant Care

There are an infinite number of ways you can choose to care for a plant. However, there are, in general, 3 things that will greatly impact a plant's wellbeing.

Water

Every living being needs water to survive, no matter how small the amount! Plants are no exception.

A good rule of thumb is to water when the soil feels dry to the touch, about 2 inches beneath the surface. If it is moist then it is safe to wait a few more days. Otherwise, feel free to water!
When watering a plant there is a delicate balance. Too much can lead to root rot, fungus, and flies, and too little can lead to slow growth and withered leaves. To ensure a plant is not over-watered, check soil as mentioned beforehand prior to watering.
In addition, there should always be drainage holes in the chosen pot. Drainage holes allow the plant to drain excess water. Should you choose a pot without drainage, simply fill the pot at least 1-2 inches deep with pebbles before filling the rest with soil and, of course, your plant.

Frequency of watering will depend on many factors, some of which include:

Certain types of plants prefer to stay moist, where others might prefer to completely dry out prior to watering. This will be further discussed in the Common Houseplants Table.

If you live in a region of the world which consistently stays warm throughout the year, watering frequency will be higher than a region that experiences cold winters and hot summers.Note: Humidity also greatly affects plant growth! Tropical foliage plants love hot and humid environments.
Finally, the method of watering is something important to consider. The following are some different methods of watering you can try. Neither is the "perfect" method, all will depend on many factors, some of which we have discussed already.
  1. For pots with drainage holes, submerging the bottom in a container of water will allow it to "drink" as much as it wants. Typically, whatever it absorbs within 5 minutes will be what it needs. If you choose to use a clear container with water, you can watch the water level reduce as the plant takes what it needs! This may not be the best method for plants without well-established root systems.
  2. Sometimes plants can benefit from some artificial rain- that is, a little trip under the shower head! Tropical plants especially will enjoy a good shower as it is remniscient of their natural habitat. This method ensures all the soil gets wet, and once again the plant can drain itself and decide how much water it actually needs. In addition, this method will remove any dust that may have built on plants' leaves.
  3. Perhaps the most commonly used method of watering is the pour-over method. For pots with no drainage holes, this is often the only method. Water twice in small amounts, waiting a few minutes in between. This allows the water to settle and so you can get a more accurate view of how much more water is actually needed. Unfortunately, this method is more difficult to gauge whether you are watering the proper amount. However, once you spend enough time with your plants, you can get to know and learn what they like!

Soil

There are many kinds of soil that can be used for plants, with different uses for each. This title is actually somewhat misleading- sometimes there is no actual soil involved!

Potting Soil vs Potting Mix

While very similar in name, they do have key differences- potting soil is does actually contain soil as well as other ingredients and is generally used in outdoor gardens. It compacts more easily which tends to make it difficult for the roots to breathe, so it is not recommended for indoor plants. Potting Mix may contain some soil or none at all, and it is sterile so indoor plants will be less suspectible to fungus and disease. There are species-specific mixes such as succulent, cactus, fiddle leaf fig, etc.

Additives

Peat Moss, Perlite, and Fertilizers are some of the most common additives to soil. Different plants will benefit from different additives, so do your research and discuss with your local garden store employees!

Repotting

When your plants are happy, they may end up outgrowing their home! If the roots start to become restricted by the pot or the soil becomes too stiff, it is time to repot with new soil. Generally, this will be necessary once per year. It is recommended to do so during the warm months to prevent plants from going into shock and dying. Sometimes plants will be sick and need fresh soil to recover as well. Watch for signs of pests, moldy soil, or spots on leaves.

Lighting

Plants need light to survive.

Common Beginner Houseplants

Now that you have some solid, basic knowledge in plant care, it is much easier to figure out how to start! Some things to consider may be- budget, lighting in your environemnt, space available, how often you can reasonably expect yourself to water your plants as well as perform routine maintenance. Below we will list some of the most common houseplants that may be a good toe dip in the ocean of houseplants!

Common Name Latin Name Light Required Watering Frequency
Swiss Cheese Plant Monstera Deliciosa Medium, Indirect Every 1-2 weeks, once soil is completely dry, mist leaves often
Air Plant Tillandasia Spp Bright, Indirect About once a week, submerge fully in water for 15-30 min, place upside down to dry, mist every other day
Aloe Vera Aloe Barbadensis Miller Bright, Indirect About once a week, once soil is completely dry
Spider Plant Chlorophytum Comosum Low-Moderate, Indirect About once a week, keeping the soil lightly moist (distilled or rainwater preferred)
Pothos Epipremnum Aureum Bright, Indirect About once a week, keeping the soil lightly moist

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