The Basics

We want to make caring for your plants as simple as possible. We believe everyone can have a green thumb if you follow these basic principles.

1) Choose plants based off the amount of light you have.

This may be the most important tip of all. It's crucial that you select plants that are suitable for the light conditions you have in your space. In order to select the right plants consider the directions your windows are facing. South-facing windows provide the brightest light. Almost all houseplants will thrive in this type of light. East/west-facing windows provide medium light and north-facing windows produce low light.

Most houseplants can't stand harsh direct sunlight, however, there are some varieties of cacti and succulents that can. We have conveniently provided light requirements for each houseplant that is listed on our website.

2) Watering your plants.

This is probably the 2nd most important tip when it comes to plants. Generally speaking, less is more when it comes to houseplants, succulents and cacti. However, there are some plants that like more water than others. Therefore we have to consider what plant we are caring for.

We also have to determine the type of conditions the plant is growing in. In the summertime the days are longer and plants receive extended periods of sunlight which tend to dry out the soil more. In the winter, days are shorter which limits the amount of light your plant gets meaning your soil will stay moist for longer. 

It's a good idea to make sure your soil is moist NOT soaking wet. Long periods of wet soil can cause root rot which can be fatal to your plant. The safest way to water your plant is to put a saucer under it full of water and let the roots of your plant wick up what it needs from the bottom. After a couple hours empty out your saucer and water again when your soil starts feeling dry.

3) Repotting and Fertilizing

Generally, houseplants can live in the same pot for a long time. However, every once in a while it's a good idea to remove the pot to check and see how root bound the plant is. A good rule of thumb is that the root ball should feel tight but there should be some loose soil. The loose soil is what holds the moisture in for your plant to thrive. However, your plant doesn't need to be swimming in soil. If you feel like your plant is extremely root bound, repot into something that is 1 to 3 inches larger than its current container.

In most cases houseplants do not need fertilizer. As long as you add fresh soil or repot your plant every once in a while it should get all the nutrients it needs from the fresh soil. If you have had your house plant for over a year and you want to give it a boost, fertilize it in the Spring with a fish emulsion fertilizer.