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the ultimate plant care guide for clueless plant parents🪴
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items so you bought a pretty plant from the store with no idea how to care for it. this is a beginner-friendly guide to the parts of houseplant care that actually matter: watering, light, pests, propagation, repotting, and figuring out WTF your plant is tr...
Sections
5
how to know when to water 💧
deciphering light requirements ☀️
what to do when you find unwanted bugs 🪰
propagation without a horticulture degree ✂️
repotting without shocking your plant to death 🪴
how to know when to water 💧
most of the time people end up damaging their plants by giving *too much* water vs not enough. here's how to make sure you don't leave your plants sitting in soggy soil (which can lead to root rot) and making sure that when you do water, their thirst...
“water once a week” sounds helpful, but how quickly soil dries depends on the plant, pot size, soil, light, temperature, humidity, and time of year. check the soil, not the calendar. stick your finger about 1–2 inches into the soil. If your plant lik...
Stop Watering Your Plants on a Schedule
when it *is* time to water, don't give it three polite little sips. thoroughly soak the soil until water runs freely from the drainage holes, then let the excess drain completely. underwatering is generally easier to recover from than chronically wet...
How Much to Water
if you don't trust yourself to judge damp soil yet, a hygrometer can be a helpful training tool. check a few different spots and depths and don't leave the probe sitting in soil.
Soil Moisture Meter
if you don't order any asian takeout (the free version of this) you can get some wooden bamboo stakes to check soil moisture. put an unfinished wooden chopstick deep in the soil then pull it back out. damp soil will darken the wood and stick to it. a...
Bamboo Plant Stakes
ideally, all of your pots should have drainage holes *especially* if you're going to plant directly in the pot. however, i prefer to leave everything in its nursery pot if possible for better drainage (theres more holes). these are great to have on h...
Nursery Pots
you ever see those super satisfying time-lapse plant watering videos when they put the planter with a bunch of drainage holes in a bowl of water and it “sucks” the water up? that's bottom watering. this can be useful when soil has become super dry an...
Bottom Watering
i don't typically use these unless i buy a plant that comes in one (they're usually not very cute). easyplant is a big marketplace people usually buy from that has self watering planters. the pot has a reservoir with a rope attached that draws water ...
Self-Watering Planters
if you don't have a big bowl around or think it's gross to put plants in something you eat out of, these are a good option to use for bottom watering if you choose to use that method.
Bottom Watering Tray
you can repurpose tons of things for drainage trays--plates, bowls, mugs, pottery dishes. i usually make sure i leave the store with one if it looks “included” with the plant but they're pretty cheap individually. even after being out of the nursery ...
Drainage Trays
deciphering light requirements ☀️
plant care instructions love to say things like “bright indirect light” as though we were all born knowing what that means. the easiest way to think about light is how much natural light reaches the plant throughout the day, not how bright the room f...
☀️ direct light: sunlight actually hits the leaves. Think visible sunbeams or a distinct shadow from the plant. morning/evening sun is gentler; several hours of strong midday/afternoon sun can burn plants that aren't adapted to it.
🌤️ bright indirect light: a bright spot near a window with lots of natural light, but little or no intense direct sun hitting the leaves for hours. this is the sweet spot for a LOT of houseplants.
⛅ medium indirect light: the plant is farther from the window but still gets plenty of natural daylight. the room is clearly illuminated by the window, but the plant isn't sitting in the brightest part of it.
🌥️ low light: farther from a window, in a corner, or somewhere partially shaded—but low light does NOT mean no light. low-light tolerant plants survive these conditions but they usually won't grow as quickly or vigorously as they would with more lig...
🌤️ bright indirect light: a bright spot near a window with lots of natural light, but little or no intense direct sun hitting the leaves for hours. this is the sweet spot for a LOT of houseplants.
⛅ medium indirect light: the plant is farther from the window but still gets plenty of natural daylight. the room is clearly illuminated by the window, but the plant isn't sitting in the brightest part of it.
🌥️ low light: farther from a window, in a corner, or somewhere partially shaded—but low light does NOT mean no light. low-light tolerant plants survive these conditions but they usually won't grow as quickly or vigorously as they would with more lig...
Light Requirements Simplified
in the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing windows generally receive the most direct sun, north-facing the least, while east-facing windows get gentler morning sun and west-facing windows get stronger afternoon sun. trees, buildings, curtains, and how ...
Window Direction Matters
if a plant isn't growing, starts leaning/stretching toward the window, loses variegation, or produces smaller new leaves, it may want more light.
pale, bleached, scorched, or crispy patches, especially after moving it somewhere sunnier, can mean it's getting more direct sun than it's accustomed to.
pale, bleached, scorched, or crispy patches, especially after moving it somewhere sunnier, can mean it's getting more direct sun than it's accustomed to.
Your Plants Will Tell You if it Needs More or Less Light
if your space doesn't have enough natural light—or winter turns your favorite plant spot into a dungeon—a grow light can supplement what your windows aren't providing. look for a full-spectrum LED and choose one appropriate for the size/number of pla...
Grow Lights with Clamp
if you want a more aesthetically pleasing grow light, you could put a bulb in a regular lamp that shines over your plant. these have a dimmer for brightness and timed modes built into the bulb.
Barrina Grow Light Bulbs
there isn't one magic distance, it depends on how powerful your specific light is. Start with the manufacturer's recommended distance and adjust based on your plant's response. a small clip-on grow light may need to sit quite close to the leaves, while a powerful grow light may need to be much farther away.
usually grow lights are left on around 10–14 hours per day as a useful starting point for many foliage houseplants. plants that already receive substantial natural light may need less supplemental lighting; plants relying heavily on the grow light ma...
usually grow lights are left on around 10–14 hours per day as a useful starting point for many foliage houseplants. plants that already receive substantial natural light may need less supplemental lighting; plants relying heavily on the grow light ma...
How to Use Your Grow Lights
if your grow light doesn't come with a built in timer, smart plugs are a great way to automate when your lights turn on and off. i love Govee products and the ability to use the app to set up lighting routines. i'm begging them to make grow lights lo...
Govee Smart Plug
if you wanna get really technical about it, you can get a light meter to tell you the light levels within certain areas of your room or under your grow light. hold the sensor at leaf height where your plant actually sits and point it toward the main ...
As a rough houseplant guide:
🌥️ Low light: ~50–250 foot-candles (Fc)
⛅ Medium light: ~250–500 Fc
🌤️ Bright indirect light: ~500–1,000+ Fc
take readings during the brighter part of the day and remember that these are guidelines, not magical cutoff numbers. how many hours your plant receives that light matters too.
As a rough houseplant guide:
🌥️ Low light: ~50–250 foot-candles (Fc)
⛅ Medium light: ~250–500 Fc
🌤️ Bright indirect light: ~500–1,000+ Fc
take readings during the brighter part of the day and remember that these are guidelines, not magical cutoff numbers. how many hours your plant receives that light matters too.
Light Meter
what to do when you find unwanted bugs 🪰
unfortunately with plants that come from outside, they can bring bugs with them. it's important to quarantine or separate an infested plant as soon as you notice it to prevent it spreading to any other houseplants. this section is going to teach you ...
tiny dark flies (look kind of like fruit flies) hovering around the soil or flying up from the soil when you water. their larvae live in moist soil, so they're often a sign that soil is staying wet for too long.
treatment: let the top layer of soil dry between waterings when your plant tolerates it. use yellow sticky traps to catch and monitor the adults, and drench the soil with 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide to 4 parts water after the top 1-2" dries out. repe...
treatment: let the top layer of soil dry between waterings when your plant tolerates it. use yellow sticky traps to catch and monitor the adults, and drench the soil with 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide to 4 parts water after the top 1-2" dries out. repe...
Fungus Gnats
extremely tiny pests that may look like moving specks. look for fine webbing around stems and under leaves, plus pale stippling or speckling on the foliage.
treatment: Isolate the plant and thoroughly rinse the leaves, especially the undersides, to physically remove as many mites as possible. follow with a horticultural oil labeled for spider mites, making sure you get thorough coverage. repeat according...
treatment: Isolate the plant and thoroughly rinse the leaves, especially the undersides, to physically remove as many mites as possible. follow with a horticultural oil labeled for spider mites, making sure you get thorough coverage. repeat according...
Spider Mites
white, fuzzy, cottony-looking bugs that hide around stems, leaf joints, and underneath leaves. they may also leave behind sticky honeydew.
Treatment: for a small infestation, remove individual bugs with a cotton swab lightly dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol, testing a small area of the plant first. wash the plant with a strong stream of water to disloge any larvae. for a larger infestati...
Treatment: for a small infestation, remove individual bugs with a cotton swab lightly dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol, testing a small area of the plant first. wash the plant with a strong stream of water to disloge any larvae. for a larger infestati...
Mealybugs
small brown, tan, or whitish bumps attached to stems and leaves that can easily be mistaken for part of the plant. many barely look like insects at all.
Treatment: physically remove visible scale with a cotton swab or soft cloth; 70% isopropyl alcohol can help with individual pests if the plant tolerates it. follow with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap labeled for scale, paying close attention ...
Treatment: physically remove visible scale with a cotton swab or soft cloth; 70% isopropyl alcohol can help with individual pests if the plant tolerates it. follow with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap labeled for scale, paying close attention ...
Scale
tiny, narrow insects that can be difficult to spot. you may notice silvery or scarred patches, distorted new growth, and tiny dark specks before you actually see the bugs.
Treatment: isolate the plant, remove heavily damaged foliage, and rinse the plant thoroughly. treat with an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil labeled for thrips, covering both sides of the leaves and new growth. repeat according to the label, us... every 7-10 days, because thrips have multiple life stages and can be persistent af.
Treatment: isolate the plant, remove heavily damaged foliage, and rinse the plant thoroughly. treat with an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil labeled for thrips, covering both sides of the leaves and new growth. repeat according to the label, us... every 7-10 days, because thrips have multiple life stages and can be persistent af.
Thrips
small pear-shaped bugs that usually cluster around tender new growth and stems. they can be green, black, brown, yellow, or other colors and often leave behind sticky honeydew.
Treatment: start by blasting them off with a strong stream of water, a surprisingly effective first step. remaining aphids can be treated with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil labeled for aphids. check new growth frequently and repeat treatment...
Treatment: start by blasting them off with a strong stream of water, a surprisingly effective first step. remaining aphids can be treated with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil labeled for aphids. check new growth frequently and repeat treatment...
Aphids
i treat every plant i bring home with this to clean up the leaves and cover in botanical oils, including neem, to help prevent pests. i usually reapply/dust every month.
WE THE WILD Protect Leaf Spray with Neem Oil
i use these with my shine spray to clean and dust my plants. they make gloves for that purpose but i don't think you need anything beyond these basics.
Microfiber Dust Cloths
these are so gross to look at but really effective at collecting adult fungus gnats.
Fungus Gnat Sticky Traps
these are a more eco friendly version as they're compostable and much more discreet since they stick to the inside of your pot rim. a little more expensive though.
WE THE WILD Fungus Gnat Compostable Traps
keep this on hand for fungus gnats. i personally prefer to use this before i resort to BTI.
Hydrogen Peroxide
we had a pretty bad fungus gnat infestation this summer so i popped one of these bad boys in each plant room and it helped catch adults that were able to escape the local sticky traps.
Zevo Indoor Flying Insect Trap
see this is why i recommend hydrogen peroxide first because BTI is expensive! it contains Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) a naturally occuring soil bacteria that attacks fungus gnat larvae.
Happy Houseplant Fungus Gnat Death Drops
this is a treatment spray you can use on aphids, scale, thrips, and meaybugs.
Garden Safe Insecticidal Soap
an alternative to insecticidal soap, this suffocates the insects in oil. be sure to coat pests thoroughly and follow the label directions closely.
Bonide All Seasons Horticultural Oil
good to have on hand in general, but specifically here for mealybug and scale removal.
Isopropyl 70% Alcohol
propagation without a horticulture degree ✂️
propagation is basically making a new plant from a plant you already have, for free. the right method depends on how that particular plant grows, so unfortunately you cannot chop a random leaf off everything you own and demand that it make you a baby...
find a node (the little bump/joint on the stem where a leaf or aerial root grows) and cut just below it with clean scissors or pruning shears. the cutting needs a node to produce new roots and growth. Put the node in water while keeping the leaves ab...
suitable plants: pothos, heartleaf philodendron, syngonium, monstera, philodendron Birkin, Prince of Orange, Ring of Fire, peperomia obtusifolia
suitable plants: pothos, heartleaf philodendron, syngonium, monstera, philodendron Birkin, Prince of Orange, Ring of Fire, peperomia obtusifolia
Stem Cuttings in Water
instead of rooting a cutting in water, some plants can go directly into moist potting mix. keep the medium lightly moist while new roots establish, but not swampy. this avoids having to transition water-grown roots into soil later.
suitable plants: pothos, philodendron, syngonium, monstera, peperomia obtusifolia, dracaena marginata
suitable plants: pothos, philodendron, syngonium, monstera, peperomia obtusifolia, dracaena marginata
Soil Propagation
plants that grow in clumps or produce multiple shoots can often simply be divided. remove the plant from its pot, gently separate sections with their own roots and growth, and repot them individually. congratulations, you have committed plant mitosis...
suitable plants: ZZ plant, peace lily, snake plant, cast iron plant, Chinese evergreen, parlor palm, philodendron Birkin
suitable plants: ZZ plant, peace lily, snake plant, cast iron plant, Chinese evergreen, parlor palm, philodendron Birkin
Division
some plants produce little baby plants around the parent plant. once a pup has developed enough of its own growth and root system, it can be separated and planted on its own.
suitable plants: aloe, snake plants, haworthia, ponytail palm
suitable plants: aloe, snake plants, haworthia, ponytail palm
Offsets & Pups
some plants can produce new plants from a leaf or piece of leaf. always check how your particular species propagates before performing surprise surgery. note: snake plant cuttings on certain variegated varieties may lose their original coloration.
suitable plants: snake plants, peperomia, haworthia, certain succulents
suitable plants: snake plants, peperomia, haworthia, certain succulents
Leaf Cuttings
want to propagate a larger plant without immediately chopping it apart? air layering encourages a stem to grow roots while it's still attached to the parent plant. find a healthy node, wrap damp sphagnum moss around the node (for rubber plants, a sma...
suitable plants: monstera, climbing philodendrons, rubber plants, some dracaenas
suitable plants: monstera, climbing philodendrons, rubber plants, some dracaenas
Air Layering
spider plants practically propagate themselves. those little baby spiders dangling from long stems are called plantlets and each one can become its own plant! wait until the baby has developed small root nubs, then place its base into moist potting m...
suitable plants: spider plants and other plants that produce plantlets on runners, such as strawberry begonias
suitable plants: spider plants and other plants that produce plantlets on runners, such as strawberry begonias
Spider Plant Plantlets
seeing a microscopic root is exciting, but don't rush it! a good beginner rule is to wait until the cutting has developed several roots roughly 2–3 inches long, ideally with smaller secondary roots beginning to branch from them. then transfer it into...
When You Can Move Your Water Prop to Soil
clean, sharp cuts cause less damage than hacking through a stem with whatever pair of scissors you found in the junk drawer. clean the blades before and between plants with alcohol, especially if you're cutting anything that may be diseased.
Pruning Shears
not necessary, but VERY cute. clear glass also makes it easy to watch root development and see when the water needs changing.
Glass Plant Propagation Station
your pasta-sauce jar works perfectly well. propagation does not require a $38 artisanal glass vessel. we use tons of random food jars, mason jars, and my propagation station consists of oui yogurt jars I bought on facebook marketplace.
Glass Jars
optional, not necessary for easy-rooting plants like pothos, but it can help encourage rooting when propagating certain plants directly in soil. follow the product directions rather than assuming more powder = more roots. typically you wet then dip t...
Rooting Powder
this is why I said to keep these around! and keep any old ones in storage. make sure not to pot your plant in something too big, choose a pot only somewhat larger than its new root system, with drainage holes, so you're not surrounding a handful of b...
Nursery Pots
repotting without shocking your plant to death 🪴
just like how kids grow out of clothes, plants can grow out of their pots. HOWEVER, just because your plant is getting bigger doesn't always mean it needs a bigger pot. repotting unnecessarily can stress your plant, and putting it in a pot that's too...
I've gotten pots from all over and they can get pricey fast if you want something other than plastic.
- amazon: good for basic colors and shapes, relatively cheap
- walmart: they actually have some really cute and gorgeous planters, we got like 15 under $100 when they did a huge sale over the summer
- ikea: also kind of basic but cheap and sometimes a really cute one
- THE THRIFT STORE: I've found tons of really nice ceramic planters of all sizes at thrift stores for $3-7 each
- facebook marketplace: a lot of times people just want them out of their house and give them away for free, or they sell them for very cheap (check here for nursery pots too!)
- etsy: you gotta sift through a lot of 3D printed plastic garbage but you can find some insanely unique, vintage, and handmade planters on etsy
- bougie architectural options: urban outfitters, anthropology, west elm
- amazon: good for basic colors and shapes, relatively cheap
- walmart: they actually have some really cute and gorgeous planters, we got like 15 under $100 when they did a huge sale over the summer
- ikea: also kind of basic but cheap and sometimes a really cute one
- THE THRIFT STORE: I've found tons of really nice ceramic planters of all sizes at thrift stores for $3-7 each
- facebook marketplace: a lot of times people just want them out of their house and give them away for free, or they sell them for very cheap (check here for nursery pots too!)
- etsy: you gotta sift through a lot of 3D printed plastic garbage but you can find some insanely unique, vintage, and handmade planters on etsy
- bougie architectural options: urban outfitters, anthropology, west elm
Where to Buy Pots
Signs to Repot:
- roots are densely circling the pot or growing extensively through the drainage holes.
- water runs straight through because the root ball has displaced most of the soil.
- the soil dries out unusually quickly, and your plant needs watering much more frequently.
- growth has slowed despite appropriate light, water, and nutrients.
- the soil has broken down, become compacted, or isn't draining properly.
- roots are densely circling the pot or growing extensively through the drainage holes.
- water runs straight through because the root ball has displaced most of the soil.
- the soil dries out unusually quickly, and your plant needs watering much more frequently.
- growth has slowed despite appropriate light, water, and nutrients.
- the soil has broken down, become compacted, or isn't draining properly.
When to Repot
first, choose the right pot. its should be about 1-2" wider in diameter than the current pot for most houseplants. make sure it has drainage too!
second, prepare a potting mix appropriate for your plant. most plants can use a regular well-draining indoor mix, succulents like a faster-draining one.
third, gently remove your plant from the current pot squeezing the nursery pot or loosening the edges. try not to yank on the stems.
fourth, inspect the roots. healthy roots are usually firm and usually white/yellow/tan. remove any mushy, or rotten roots and gently loosen circling roots if needed.
fifth, position and fill. try to keep the plant at the same soil depth as before. fill around the roots with fresh mix, gently settling it without packing too hard.
finally, water thoroughly and let the excess water drain.
second, prepare a potting mix appropriate for your plant. most plants can use a regular well-draining indoor mix, succulents like a faster-draining one.
third, gently remove your plant from the current pot squeezing the nursery pot or loosening the edges. try not to yank on the stems.
fourth, inspect the roots. healthy roots are usually firm and usually white/yellow/tan. remove any mushy, or rotten roots and gently loosen circling roots if needed.
fifth, position and fill. try to keep the plant at the same soil depth as before. fill around the roots with fresh mix, gently settling it without packing too hard.
finally, water thoroughly and let the excess water drain.
How to Repot
you plant might droop, pause growth, or lose a leaf or two after repotting. some temporary stress is normal. help it recover by keeping it in a stable, appropriate light, avoiding any sudden temperature changes, and check on soil moisture before addi...
Transplant Shock
not all potting soil is created equal! i was definitely drawn to the cute packaging at first.
🪴 Rosy Soil takes plant care up a notch with a peat-free, biochar-based formula designed to support healthy roots, improve soil structure, and retain moisture and nutrients without staying excessively soggy. it's packed with nutrient-rich compost, w...
🪴 Rosy Soil takes plant care up a notch with a peat-free, biochar-based formula designed to support healthy roots, improve soil structure, and retain moisture and nutrients without staying excessively soggy. it's packed with nutrient-rich compost, w...
Rosy Soil Houseplant Potting Soil Mix
for monstera, pothos, philodendrons, and other aroids that like a chunkier soil mix. the added aeration helps keep roots from sitting in soggy soil while still holding onto enough moisture. it's peat-free and contains biochar, compost, and beneficial...
Rosy Soil Aroid Soil Mix
for aloe, haworthia, and other drought-adapted plants that prefer a faster-draining medium. contains lots of organic things that naturally encourage drainage like pumice and sand.
Rosy Soil Cactus & Succulent Potting Mix
the budget-friendly soil option!
🪴 You don't need to spend $20 on a tiny bag of soil to keep your plants alive. Back to the Roots makes an affordable, peat-free organic potting mix with plant food already included. it's a great starting point for everyday repotting, although I'd ad...
🪴 You don't need to spend $20 on a tiny bag of soil to keep your plants alive. Back to the Roots makes an affordable, peat-free organic potting mix with plant food already included. it's a great starting point for everyday repotting, although I'd ad...
Back to the Roots Organic Potting Mix
after all the repotting I did this summer, a mat is an essential for me. otherwise you will be finding dirt everywhere for weeks. set it on your dining room table and dumb the unused dirt back into your bag. it also folds up and stores nicely.
Repotting Mat
this is a nice to have but easily misplacable item. I lost mine and use a nursery pot or an old cup to scoop which is sufficient but I should probably just buy another scoop 😂
Soil Scoop