Plant Care

Complete Plant Care Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive plant care resource! Whether you're a seasoned plant parent or just starting your indoor garden journey, we've compiled essential care tips to help your houseplants thrive. Below you'll find detailed guidance on the fundamentals of plant care, plus specific instructions for our most popular varieties.

We The Wild | Swiss chard monstera with a self watering plant globe.

Essential Plant Care Basics

💧 Watering Guidelines

Proper watering is the foundation of healthy plants. Most houseplants prefer to dry out slightly between waterings—stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil, and if it feels dry, it's time to water. Always use pots with drainage holes and water thoroughly until excess drains out the bottom. Overwatering is the #1 cause of houseplant problems, so when in doubt, wait another day.

☀️ Light Requirements

Bright indirect light: Near an east or west-facing window, or a few feet back from a south-facing window
Medium light: Several feet from a bright window or near a north-facing window
Low light: Areas away from windows but still receiving some natural light
Remember: no plant truly thrives in complete darkness. Rotate your plants quarterly for even growth.

💨 Humidity & Temperature

Pothos being held by person in garden boots.

Most tropical houseplants appreciate humidity levels of 40-60%. Increase humidity by grouping plants together, using a pebble tray with water, or running a humidifier. Keep plants away from heating vents, air conditioners, and drafty windows. Ideal temperatures range from 65-75°F during the day and 60-70°F at night.

🌱 Soil & Fertilizing

Use well-draining potting mix appropriate for your plant type. Most houseplants benefit from fertilizing during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength. Reduce or stop fertilizing in fall and winter when growth naturally slows.

✂️ Pruning & Maintenance

Remove yellow or brown leaves promptly to redirect energy to healthy growth. Wipe dust from leaves monthly with a damp cloth to improve photosynthesis. Prune leggy growth in spring to encourage bushier plants. Always use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears.

Common Plant Care Issues

Yellow leaves: Often indicates overwatering or poor drainage
Brown leaf tips: Usually caused by low humidity, fluoride in tap water, or fertilizer buildup
Drooping leaves: Can signal underwatering or root rot from overwatering
Leggy growth: Indicates insufficient light—move closer to a window
Pests: Inspect regularly for spider mites, mealybugs, or scale; treat promptly with insecticidal soap

Jungle Club Pruning Shears | pink | Pruning shears held by a model.

Plant-Specific Care Guides

Please enjoy our infographics below showing basic care for some of our most popular plants, including air plants, bonsai, orchids, succulents, cacti, pothos, philodendrons, and poinsettias. Each plant has unique needs, so refer to the specific care card for your variety.

Quick Care Reference

Pothos & Philodendrons: Tolerant and forgiving, perfect for beginners. Medium to bright indirect light, water when top 2 inches of soil are dry.

Succulents & Cacti: Drought-tolerant desert dwellers. Bright light, infrequent watering (every 2-3 weeks), well-draining soil essential.

Orchids: Elegant bloomers that prefer bright indirect light, weekly watering (let roots dry between), and high humidity. Use orchid-specific potting mix.

Air Plants (Tillandsia): No soil needed! Soak in water for 20-30 minutes weekly, shake off excess, and display in bright indirect light with good air circulation.

Bonsai: Miniature trees requiring daily attention. Water when soil surface feels dry, provide bright light, and maintain humidity. Prune regularly to maintain shape.

Poinsettias: Holiday favorites that need bright indirect light and consistent moisture. Keep away from drafts and maintain temperatures above 60°F.

Seasonal Care Tips

Spring & Summer: Active growing season—increase watering frequency, resume fertilizing, and repot if roots are crowded.

Fall & Winter: Growth slows naturally—reduce watering, stop fertilizing, and provide extra humidity if heating systems dry the air.

Need More Help?

We're always adding additional plants and care tips to this resource. If you don't see what you're looking for or have specific questions about your plant, please reach out to our plant experts today. We're here to help your indoor garden flourish!

Pro tip: Take photos of your plants monthly to track their growth and catch any issues early. Happy planting!

Plant care page

Key for infographics

care for

DRACAENA

Place it in brightly filtered light
Keep the soil of houseplant dracaena moist, but never soggy. Drooping or yellowing leaves indicates over-watering or poor drainage

care for

Calathea

Calatheas need a warm spot and bright indirect light
Keep out of direct sunlight
Keep moist from Spring to Autumn
They like humidiity so misting leaves daily or placing on a pebble tray
Water with filters or distilled water, no tap water

care for

Ivy

Need good air circulation can not be crowded
Cool to moderate temps 50-70 degrees F
Standard potting mix is great for them
Good drainage is preferred

plant care

Monstera

Monsteras prefer soil that is lightly moist, and generally like to dry out a little bit between waterings
They are sensitive to overwatering
Let the top 2 to 4 inches dry out before watering

care for

peace lily

Like bright indirect light
Water regularly the do not like to dry out, keep moist not wet
Fertilize Spring to Summer
Wipe leaves regular to encourage healthy plant

care for

Pilea

Thrives in medium-bright indirect light.
Water every 1-2 weeks
Normal humidity is fine
Will grow baby plants at it's base that you can propagate and share known as the "Chinese money plant"

care for

Pothos

Like medium light. The darker the leaves are, the less light it needs
Water well and then allow the top 50% of the soil to dry out before watering again. Over-watering is the main reason a pothos plant dies
Pothos plants remove harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde from the air.

care for

rubber plant

Prefer bright indirect light
The like well drained soil so allow to dry out between watering
They linke humidity
toxic and irritating to eyes and skin

care for

spider plant

Medium to bright indirect light
Allow the top 50% of the soil to dry out before you water.
A good way to tell when a Spider plant needs water is to look at the leaves. The green color in the leaves starts to fade when the soil is dry

care for

zz plant

ZZ plants like bright indirect light
Let the soil dry out between waterings
Average temp and humitiy is great
Replant every Spring

care for

Sansevieria

Also know as the "Snake Plant"
Can tolerate low light but will grow faster in bright light
Allow the soil to dry out before watering; water less during the winter
Sansevieria are clean air plants that remove benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air

care for

Succulents

Spritz base of plant with water when media is completely dry - about once every 2 weeks
A lot of bright indirect sun, some direct - if the plants are stretching (growing up) not getting enough sun

care for

Bonsai Trees

Soil should remain damp, water 1-2 times per week
Mostly direct sun, some indirect

care for

Airplants

Every week - 10 days
Soak in luke-warm water for 10-15 minutes in buckets
Remove and shake excess water off
Lay a towel & set upside down to drain water off - until completely dry
No direct sunlight - love artificial light

care for

Bromeliads

Some direct sun, mostly indirect
Water 1-2 times per week, soil should remain damp. Pour water through center ‘cup’ of bromeliad

care for

Orchids

About 1 tablespoon of water once a week (roughly one squirt of a water bottle - think of an ice cube size)
Spritz leaves and stalks with orchid mist once a week
Bright indirect light, some direct

care for

Cactus

Spritz base of plant with water when media is completely dry - about once every 2 weeks
Love sun, mostly direct sun, will discolor if not getting enough sun

care for

Philodendron

Can survive in low light conditions, but grows faster and produces more leaves in medium or bright indirect light-- Never put any philodendron plant in direct sun
Water well and then allow the top 50% of the soil to dry out before watering again. Yellow leaves on a Heartleaf Philodendron indicate over-watering and brown leaves mean the plant needs more water