Houseplants

You’ve tried. You really have. You bring home a plant, maybe even one the store employee called “unkillable,” and a few weeks later it’s a brown, wilted mess. Sound familiar? You’re not alone, and you’re almost certainly not cursed. Most plant deaths come down to a handful of very fixable mistakes — and once you know what they are, keeping plants alive gets a lot easier. The Number One Killer: Overwatering If your plants keep dying and you don’t know why, start here. Overwatering kills more houseplants than any other cause, and it’s counterintuitive because it feels like you’re being caring and attentive. ...

Not all houseplants are equally forgiving. Some need precise humidity, specific light conditions, and will throw a fit if you look at them wrong. Others are genuinely hard to kill — they tolerate drought, low light, irregular care, and the occasional neglect. If you’re new to plants, starting with the forgiving ones makes all the difference. You build confidence, you learn how plants communicate (yellowing leaves, droopy stems, dry soil), and you don’t lose $30 on a plant that dies in two weeks. ...

“How often should I water my plants?” is one of the most common questions beginners ask — and the honest answer is: it depends. It depends on the plant, the pot, the soil, the season, your home’s humidity, the light levels, and more. A fixed schedule like “every Sunday” might work some of the time, but it misses the point. Plants don’t care what day it is. They need water when the soil is dry enough, and that changes constantly. ...

Growing herbs indoors gives you something no grocery store herb shelf can: fresh herbs whenever you need them, cut five minutes before you use them. The difference in flavor between freshly cut basil and the bunch that’s been in your fridge for three days is significant. The good news: herbs are relatively forgiving and great for beginners, as long as you give them the right light. The Non-Negotiable: Light Light is where most indoor herb gardens fail. Herbs need at least 6 hours of direct sun daily — ideally from a south-facing window. East and west windows can work for less demanding herbs like mint and chives, but south-facing is your best bet. ...

Here’s a frustrating fact about plant problems: overwatering and underwatering can look almost identical. Both can cause drooping, yellowing leaves, and a struggling plant. Treating one when you have the other makes things worse — so getting the diagnosis right matters. Here’s how to tell them apart. Why They Look Similar When a plant is underwater, it can’t move water from roots to leaves, so leaves go limp. When a plant is overwatered, the roots rot and can no longer absorb water — so even though there’s plenty of moisture in the soil, the plant effectively can’t drink. Same symptom, opposite problem. ...

Not every room gets beautiful natural light, and most plant guides assume you have a bright, sunny home. What if you don’t? What if you have north-facing windows, a dark hallway, or a room that just never gets direct sun? The good news: there are genuinely beautiful houseplants that don’t just tolerate low light — they actually prefer it. And many of the most popular houseplants are among the most adaptable. ...

Repotting is one of those tasks that beginners often dread — and then realize isn’t nearly as scary as it looks. Done at the right time and with a little care, repotting gives your plant room to grow and refreshes the depleted soil it’s been living in. Here’s how to do it without killing your plant. When Does a Plant Need Repotting? Plants don’t need repotting on a schedule — they need it when they’re showing signs of being root-bound or when their current soil is worn out. ...

Succulents are marketed as the perfect low-maintenance plant — buy one at the checkout counter, stick it on your desk, and forget about it. The reality is more complicated. Succulents aren’t hard to keep alive if you understand their actual needs, but their needs are different from most houseplants in ways that trip people up constantly. Here’s why succulents die, and how to actually keep them thriving. The Main Reason Succulents Die: Too Much Water (Combined with Wrong Soil and Pot) Succulents are desert plants. They evolved to survive long dry periods by storing water in their leaves, stems, or roots. That storage capacity is exactly what kills them in most indoor environments — people see plump, healthy-looking succulents and water them on a regular schedule, just like other houseplants. ...