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Houseplant Care

Houseplant Care

Caring for houseplants is both rewarding and surprisingly simple once you understand a few basic principles. Whether you’re nurturing your first pothos or curating a full indoor jungle, healthy plants start with consistent habits and a little observation. Here’s everything you need to know to keep your indoor garden thriving.
 

1. Light: The Foundation of Healthy Growth

Light is one of the most important factors in houseplant health.

Tips

  • Match the plant to your lighting.
    Bright, direct light: Cacti, succulents, fiddle-leaf figs
    Bright, indirect light: Most tropical plants like pothos, monstera, and peace lilies
    Low light: Snake plants, ZZ plants

  • Rotate your plants every 1–2 weeks so they grow evenly and avoid leaning.

  • Supplement with grow lights during winter or in dim rooms.

What to look out for

  • Stretching or leggy growth: Not enough light.

  • Bleached or crispy leaves: Too much direct sunlight.
     

2. Watering: Not Too Much, Not Too Little

Overwatering is the most common cause of houseplant problems.

Tips

  • Check the soil before watering.
    Insert a finger 1–2 inches into the soil; if it’s dry, water. If it’s moist, wait.

  • Water thoroughly.
    Pour until water drains from the pot’s bottom. Empty saucers afterward.

  • Use room-temperature water.
    Cold water can shock sensitive roots.

What to look out for

  • Yellowing leaves and mushy stems: Overwatering or root rot.

  • Crispy edges and drooping: Underwatering or dry air.
     

3. Humidity and Temperature: Re-creating a Plant’s Natural Home

Most houseplants come from tropical environments and prefer mild temperatures and moderate humidity.

Tips

  • Aim for 40–60% humidity for tropical plants.

  • Use a humidifier or group plants together for natural moisture.

  • Keep plants away from drafts, heaters, and AC units.

What to look out for

  • Brown leaf tips: Low humidity.

  • Wilting or sudden leaf drop: Temperature fluctuations.
     

4. Soil and Potting: Give Roots Room to Grow

Healthy roots equal healthy plants.

Tips

  • Choose the right soil mix:

    • Succulents: Fast-draining cactus mix

    • Tropicals: Peat-based or all-purpose potting mix

    • Aroids (monstera, philodendron): Mix with perlite or bark for aeration

  • Repot every 1–2 years or when roots circle the pot or push through drainage holes.

  • Use pots with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
     

Shop Houseplant Potting Mix
 

What to look out for

  • Stunted growth: Plant may be root-bound or lacking nutrients.

  • Water sitting on the soil surface: Poor drainage or compacted soil.
     

5. Feeding: A Little Fertilizer Goes a Long Way

Plants need nutrients to grow, especially during active seasons.

Tips

  • Fertilize during spring and summer (growth season) every 2–4 weeks.

  • Use a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half strength.

  • Skip fertilizing in winter — plants rest and need less.

What to look out for

  • Brown, crispy edges despite good watering: Possible nutrient build up — flush soil with plain water.

  • Pale leaves: May indicate nutrient deficiency.


Shop Houseplant Feed

6. Pests: Catch Them Early

Even healthy plants can get pests, but early detection makes all the difference.

Tips

  • Inspect plants weekly, especially under leaves and along stems.

  • Quarantine new plants for 1–2 weeks before placing them near others.

  • Wipe leaves with a damp cloth to reduce dust and deter pests.

Common pests:

  • Spider mites: Fine webbing, speckled leaves

  • Mealybugs: White cottony clusters

  • Fungus gnats: Small black flies in soil

  • Scale: Brown or tan bumps on stems

What to look out for

  • Sticky leaves, tiny crawling insects, or sudden leaf decline.
     

Shop Houseplant Pest Control
 

7. General Advice: Consistency Matters

  • Start with easy plants like pothos, snake plants, ZZ plants, or spider plants.

  • Observe regularly. Plants "communicate" through changes in colour, texture, or posture.

  • Don’t panic over a yellow leaf. Plants naturally shed older leaves.
     

Time to give it a go!

Houseplant care doesn’t require a green thumb — just attention, patience, and a willingness to learn. Once you understand your plants’ needs, you’ll find the process relaxing, rewarding, and surprisingly intuitive. Before long, you’ll be watching new leaves unfurl and celebrating each sign of growth.

Visit your local branch of Thompson's Garden Centre for our full range of houseplants. Our expert staff are on hand to help you choose the perfect houseplant for your home and offer you advice on how to get started.