Houseplant Care 101: How to Not Kill Your New Roommate

Welcome to the Green World

So, you bought a houseplant. Congratulations! 🎉 You are now the proud guardian of a living thing that can’t tell you it’s hungry or move away from a drafty AC vent. If you’re wondering, “Am I going to kill it?”—statistically, maybe? But we’re here to change those odds. Most plant "homicide" comes from one simple problem: overthinking it.

Light: Location is Everything

Plants "eat" light, but they all have different appetites. Think of it like Goldilocks—some want to tan, some want a parasol, and some want to live in a cave.

• Bright Light (Direct): Best for south-facing windows. These guys want all the drama of the desert (Cacti, Succulents).

• Medium Light (Bright Indirect): Imagine the plant is wearing sunglasses. (Pothos, Monsteras)

Warning: If your plant starts getting a "sunburn" (brown, crispy spots), move it back a few feet!

• Low Light: The "Low-Maintenance Introverts." They are perfectly happy in that corner you forgot existed. Think Snake Plants or ZZ Plants.

  
  

Tip: If your plant is getting "leggy" (stretching out with huge gaps between leaves), it’s not trying to be a supermodel—it’s literally searching for the exit to find more sun.

Water: Don’t Drown

The number one cause of plant death is "The Overly Attached Parent." Most plants prefer a "soak and dry" routine rather than living in a permanent swamp.

• The Finger Test: Stick your finger into the soil about an inch deep. If it feels like a fresh brownie, leave it alone. If it feels like a desert, give it a drink.

• The Drama Queens: Plants like Peace Lilies will faint and act like they’re dying the second they’re thirsty. Don’t panic—they’re just being dramatic for attention.

• Pro Tip: Water in the morning. Watering at night is like going to bed after standing in the rain too long; it just leads to "soggy toes" (root rot) and bad vibes.

  
  

  

  
  

Soil: It’s Not Just "Dirt"

You wouldn't sleep on a pile of rocks, and your plants don't want to live in backyard mud.

• Indoor Potting Mix: The "five-star hotel" for most houseplants—airy and full of nutrients.

• Cactus Mix: Drains faster than a paycheck on rent day. Essential for succulents.

• The Golden Rule: Never use garden soil from outside. It’s heavy, it compacts like concrete, and it usually contains uninvited guests (bugs). Keep the outside outside.

  
  

Pots: Size and Drainage

The pot is your plant’s home. You want it to be cozy, not a mansion they can’t afford.

• The Mansion Trap: If the pot is way bigger than the root ball, the soil stays wet for ages. It’s like living in a house so big you can’t find the thermostat—everything eventually gets cold and soggy.

• Drainage is Key (But Not the End of the World): Ideally, your pot has a hole at the bottom. However, if you fell in love with a hole-less pot, it’s not a death sentence! You just have to be a "Drainage Detective." You’ll need to water much more sparingly since that water has nowhere to go. It’s a bit more work, but hey, beauty is pain.

• The "Cachepot" Cheat: Keep your plant in its plastic nursery pot (the one with holes) and just slide it inside the pretty decorative one. It’s like wearing fancy designer clothes over your favorite pair of sweatpants.

Have questions? Bring your plant photos (even the sad ones) into the shop or shoot us a message. We’ve seen it all, and we promise not to judge any brown thumbs! It’s how you learn! 🙂