Plant Care Guide: How to Keep Your Houseplants Thriving

Houseplants bring life, color, and cleaner air to your home—but they need the right care to flourish. This straightforward guide gives you the essentials for most common indoor plants, so you can enjoy healthy, happy greenery all year round.

Step 1: Choose the Right Pot & Soil

Start with a clean pot that has drainage holes (no holes = root rot risk). If reusing an old pot, scrub it with hot soapy water. Fill with fresh, well-draining potting mix suited to your plant type—cacti need sandy soil, ferns prefer peat-rich, and most foliage plants do well in standard houseplant compost. Top tip: Add a layer of pebbles or broken pottery at the bottom for extra drainage.

Step 2: Find the Perfect Spot

Light is everything. Match your plant to its natural habitat:

  • Bright, indirect light (near east/west windows): snake plants, monstera, fiddle-leaf fig
  • Low light (north-facing or a few feet from a window): ZZ plant, peace lily, pothos
  • Direct sun (south-facing windowsill): succulents, cacti, aloe Avoid cold drafts, radiators, and air-conditioning vents. Rotate the pot every couple of weeks for even growth.

Step 3: Water Wisely

Overwatering kills more houseplants than underwatering.

  • Check the top 2–3 cm of soil—water only when it feels dry.
  • Water thoroughly until it runs out the drainage holes, then empty the saucer after 30 minutes.
  • Use room-temperature water (cold shocks roots). Golden rule: Less in winter, more in spring/summer. Top tip: Use your finger or a wooden stick as a moisture probe—don’t guess.

Step 4: Feed & Fertilise

Plants need nutrients, especially during the growing season (March–September).

  • Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser (e.g., 10-10-10) every 4–6 weeks in spring/summer.
  • Dilute to half-strength to avoid burning roots.
  • Skip feeding in autumn/winter when growth slows. Pro move: Flush the soil with plain water every few months to prevent salt buildup.

Step 5: Clean & Prune

Dust blocks light—wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth every month. Remove yellow, brown, or dead leaves with clean scissors to prevent disease. Trim leggy growth to encourage bushiness. Pet-safe note: Keep toxic plants (e.g., philodendron, dieffenbachia, lilies) out of reach of cats, dogs, and kids.

Ongoing Maintenance

  • Repot every 1–2 years or when roots circle the pot (spring is best).
  • Humidity: Most tropical plants love 50–60% humidity. Mist leaves, use a pebble tray with water, or group plants together.
  • Pest patrol: Check undersides of leaves weekly for spider mites, aphids, or mealybugs. Wipe with soapy water or use neem oil if needed.
  • Seasonal shift: Reduce watering and stop feeding in winter. Move light-loving plants closer to windows as days shorten.

Plant Care FAQs

  • Why are the leaf tips brown? Usually too little humidity, overwatering, or fluoride in tap water. Let water sit overnight or use rainwater.
  • Yellow leaves? Overwatering is the #1 culprit. Let soil dry out more between waterings.
  • Dropping leaves? Shock from temperature swings, drafts, or sudden light changes. Keep conditions stable.
  • Can I use tap water? Yes, but let it sit 24 hours to off-gas chlorine. Rainwater or filtered is even better.
  • What about coffee grounds or eggshells? Skip the myths—they can harm more than help. Stick to proper fertiliser.
  • My plant’s too big—now what? Prune back in spring, or propagate cuttings in water or soil for new baby plants.