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The highs and lows of caring for houseplants can sometimes seem as fulfilling (or as stressful!)
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as caring for a human being.
Sometimes they might even die, no matter how much attention you give it.
And even when plants are in their natural habitat, they still turn brown or drop their leaves.
With that being said, there are some ways toset yourself up for success.
What indoor environments are best for house plants?
There are a few important elements to be aware of before bringing a plant into your home.
So before you do, spend some time thinking about your space to determine its temperature and sunlight exposure.
Is the temperature relatively stable?
Is the air humid or dry?
The most important factor, however, is sun exposure.
How often do you have to water indoor plants?
Instead, he determines when to water plants based on how hydrated the soil is.
If youre feeling unsure, air on the side of caution and water less versus more.
If you’re still feeling unsure, there are great digital resources likePlantato keep your rituals on track.
The tricolored leaves feature stunning deep greens, lovely yellow spots, and slick red lines.
If left unwatered for too long, it might not survive.
“Because it’s a trailing plant, its great forhanging baskets,” Hancock points out.
“While it appreciates average to above-average relative humidity levels,” Hancock says.
“Misting your prayer plant doesn’t make an appreciable difference.”
you could also place a humidifier by the plant to give it the humidity boost.
It needs the same punch in of care as a prayer plant, with moist soil and indirect light.
Where it grows best:Bright light is key when for fiddle leaf figs.
However, direct sunlight can burn the leaves, especially if its directly exposed to the hot afternoon sun.
“Even a few minutes of freezing temperatures can cause damage to this tropical tree.”
Instead, Hancock recommends aMonstera deliciosain its place.
So if you want to play it safe, it’s best to underwater this one.
Where it grows best:As previously mentioned, this plant can survive in many different light conditions.
If you really want to watch it flourish, keep it near a bright window or in indirect sunlight.
If your spider plant becomes root-bound, you could move it to a bigger pot.
Honorable mentions:Adragon treehas similar long, thin leaves but with a trunk for added height.
It’s a slow grower, though, so this won’t happen overnight.
If water starts to pool at the bottom, dump it out.
You don’t want to let your jade plant sit in water for too long.
Where it grows best:Like many succulents, jade plants need a lot of bright, indirect sunlight.
“It’s best to keep them out of the way of kids and pets,” he says.
Even better, it can survive almost anywhere in the house.
Avoid direct sunlight to keep the leaves from bleaching and burning.
How to keep it looking its best:Drainage is key when it comes to a cast iron plant.
Its a champ at tolerating low-light situations, but may not bloom much, if at all.
If youre lucky, you’re free to get two different blooms within a year!
This will help them maintain their glossy goodness.
Honorable mentions:If you are looking for something that blooms, there’s also theAnthurium.
This one features flowers in a similar shape, only their hue is a bright, beautiful red.
When to water it:Water when the soil is partially dry.
If you’re not sure how to gauge that, use the cake-test trick.
Insert a chopstick into the soil.
They’re also affordable, pet-friendly, and sturdy.
“That’s a really great, long-term plant,” Cheng tellsAllure.
“I’ve had mine for almost seven years.”
If you don’t like the look, just trim them off with a pair of sanitized scissors.
(By the way, puppies and Monsteras are not compatible as the leaves are toxic if eaten.)
Water it every week or so to keep the soil soft to the touch.
For that reason, they can grow just about anywhere as long as they have access to sunlight.
Plus, this spiky plant has a pretty silhouette and can actually produce flowers.
Use a gritty soil mixture to prevent uneven saturation and drainage.
(That’ll be windows facing west or south if you live in the northern hemisphere.)
It’ll fare much better in drier homes than those where the humidifier is running all the time.
Whatever is causing the damage could spread to the other leaves if you don’t.
Plus, it is surprisingly easy to care for.
Because it’s so big, you probably won’t want to move it much.
Honorable mentions:TheDracaena Dorado(Dracaena Deremensis) looks and behaves like a Dracaena Warneckii.
TheDragon Tree(Dracaena Marginata) is a much smaller version but requires similar care.
TheSilver Sansevieria(Sansevieria Sayuri) is also very easy-going but has a softer, brushstroke-like pattern.
Ready for a full home refresh?
