6 Tips to Help You Care for Your Houseplants—So You Can Stop Killing Them

Plants can be beautiful and they add so much color and interest to your home. But a thriving plant doesn’t just get that way on its own. While certainly less of a commitment than a pet, houseplants require care, some species more than others. If you've had several houseplants die on your watch, then you've learned this the hard way. But, don't give up. Owning and caring for houseplants is super rewarding—and you don't have to be an expert to have indoor gardening success. You just need to follow some simple pointers. So, here are six tips that will make you better at caring for houseplants.

Start Simple

It’s far easier to take care of one or two plants than it is an entire jungle in your home. So start simple. Purchase one or two houseplants that are easy to take care of. Then, see how you do with those. You may find being a plant parent isn’t as easy as you thought it would be. Or, you could learn you have a very green thumb and want more. Either way, at least in the beginning, take a "less is more" approach.

Choose the Right Plants

While you might dream of having a bonsai tree in your living room, if you’ve never tried to keep a plant alive, it probably isn’t the smartest one to start with. Sara Bendrick, professional landscape contractor and national spokesperson for STIHL, advises starting with easier plants and then working your way up to more challenging ones. If you’re looking for plants that most beginners can handle, Bendrick recommends going with sansevieria, pothos, or peace lilies.

Once you become a better plant parent, Bendrick says you can try growing trickier species, such as orchids, fiddle leaf figs, and boston ferns. Like any other hobby, growing, caring for, and cultivating plants is a skill that you learn and build upon.

Evaluate the Light in Your Home Before Choosing a Plant

Once you’ve narrowed down your plant options, it’s important to consider the light in your home and go with the plants most likely to thrive in the space you currently live in. “Do a little research on plant light needs; some like indirect light, some like a little peek of light through a window, and some thrive in darker spaces,” says Bendrick.

Consider Your Lifestyle

All plants need to be watered—some more frequently than others. Are you home a lot, or do you go on vacation or travel for work? Check a plant’s watering needs before making your purchase.

Schedule Watering, Pruning, and Fertilizing

Kaylyn Hewitt, lead floral designer and senior content manager for The Bouqs, advises creating a schedule for watering, pruning, and fertilizing your plants. This way, you won’t forget. Either write it down and make a note on the refrigerator or someplace you will see it, or set it in your phone’s calendar. Taking a few minutes to do this and set reminders assures you won’t forget to take care of your plants, especially if indoor gardening is a new thing to you.

Don't Overwater

Root rot is a real problem, and new plant parents can have too heavy a hand with the watering can. So, considering drainage and water needs is crucial, according to Hewitt. Make sure you pot your plants in a container that has a large enough drainage hole so the plant can properly drain.

Have Patience

“Be gracious and patient with yourself,” says Hewitt. “There may be some ups and downs, but you’re resilient—and plants are too.” Your first plant isn’t your last plant. If things don’t go exactly the way you like, learn from it and move on.