Care Center

Which window?

In a Northern Hemisphere home, north generally offers gentler light, east morning sun, south the strongest sustained sun, and west warm afternoon sun. Trees, buildings, curtains, and seasons can change that picture. Use your plant’s care summary to choose a starting point.

Bright indirect light & distance

Choose a bright location where strong sun does not fall directly on the leaves for long periods. A sheer curtain can soften direct light. There is no distance that works in every room: a spot that looks bright to you may be too dim for a plant far from the window. Check at different times of day. Stretching or smaller new leaves can signal insufficient light. Increase light gradually.

Grow lights

Use a light intended to support plant growth and follow its recommended coverage and distance. A timer helps consistency. Keep a daily dark period; more hours cannot always compensate for weak light.

Explore plants by window → · UMN lighting guidance

Check, then water

Use a reminder to check rather than automatically water. Feel the medium and compare the pot’s weight with how it feels after watering. A fern, cactus, and carnivorous plant need different drying points. Start with the QR guide.

For most potted houseplants, water thoroughly and let excess drain. Empty the saucer or decorative outer pot. Do not leave roots standing in water unless the plant’s growing method calls for it.

Bottom watering

When appropriate for the plant and mix, let the medium absorb water through the drainage holes, then remove the pot and drain. Avoid leaving it soaking indefinitely. Occasional watering from the top can help flush accumulated salts.

Water quality

Some plants are sensitive to dissolved minerals. Carnivorous plants often need rainwater, distilled water, or suitable reverse-osmosis water. Follow their specific guide.

Virginia Tech watering guidance

A new home is not, by itself, a reason to repot. Check for crowded roots, unusually fast drying, damaged containers, or deteriorated growing medium. If needed, choose a modest size increase and a pot with drainage.

Choose a suitable mix

Match moisture retention and airflow to the plant. Many aroids benefit from an airy mix that holds some moisture; cacti and succulents generally need faster drainage. Ferns often need more even moisture. Carnivorous plants require suitable low-nutrient media.

LECA, PON & semi-hydro

Changing the growing system changes watering and feeding too. Do not transfer a stressed new arrival simply to try a different medium. Ask Nick about your plant and setup first.

Iowa State houseplant guidance

Feed according to the plant, its active growth, and the fertilizer label. Fertilizer does not replace adequate light and is not a first response to a struggling plant. Check whether fresh potting mix already contains fertilizer.

Keep plants away from heating vents, air-conditioning blasts, and cold glass. For plants that need humid air, use a measured approach such as a hygrometer and a maintained humidifier. Good airflow still matters; persistent wet leaves and enclosed, stagnant air are not the goal.

UMN winter houseplant tips

Give your plant a calm start: unpack carefully, inspect it, check moisture, and choose a suitable spot. Keep new arrivals apart from your collection while monitoring them. Avoid changing light, pot, soil, and fertilizer all at once.

Your plant just arrived — start here →

Start with identification. Check both sides of leaves, stems, leaf joints, and the potting surface. Separate a suspect plant and photograph what you see before treating.

• Spider mites: fine stippling and webbing can be clues.
• Mealybugs: cottony white patches often hide at leaf joints.
• Scale: raised, attached bumps may appear on stems or leaves.
• Thrips: tiny narrow insects, scarring, or dark specks deserve a closer look.
• Fungus gnats: small flies around the mix suggest checking moisture and drainage.

These clues are not a diagnosis. Physical removal or washing may help mild infestations when the plant tolerates it. Use treatments labeled for the identified pest, plant, and indoor use. Follow the label; do not combine treatments at random. For beneficial insects, check the target pest and compatibility with recent treatments.

Send photos to Plant Doctor → · UMN indoor pest guide

One symptom can have several causes. Check conditions before choosing a fix.

• Yellow leaves: check moisture, drainage, recent moves, and whether only an older leaf is affected.
• Drooping or curling: check whether the mix is wet or dry, temperature, and recent changes.
• Brown tips: check watering consistency, salt buildup, and humidity needs.
• Brown or bleached patches: check direct sun, cold exposure, pests, and whether damage is spreading.
• Leaf loss or slow growth: check light, season, roots, and recent shipping or repotting.

Do not assume drooping always means thirst. Photograph the plant and note what changed. Ask for help if damage spreads or stems become soft.

University of Maryland symptom guidance

Check the exact plant identity and animal involved. “Pet-friendly” does not mean a plant is food; chewing any plant can cause stomach upset. Keep fertilizer and pest treatments out of reach too.

For a possible ingestion, contact your veterinarian promptly rather than waiting for a Plant Doctor reply.

Pet-friendly plants → · Beginner + pet-friendly →

ASPCA plant-safety database