Houseplant Watering

Houseplant Care Guide

Find all of your lighting, watering, and soil requirements for your houseplants with our houseplant care guide.

Blooming Houseplants

  • African Violet Photo

    African Violet

    • Light: Prefers bright indirect light, near a window but no direct sunlight.
    • Water: Water when the soil is around 50% dry. African Violets like to be kept moist but do not do well in soggy soil. Make sure to bottom water, African Violet leaves do not like to be wet.
    • Soil Mix: African Violet Mix or a well-draining but peat based potting mix.
  • Orchid Photo

    Orchid (Phalaenopsis)

    • Light: Your orchid prefers bright indirect light, too much direct light may scorch the foliage and the flowers. If your orchid does not receive enough sunlight, it will not rebloom.
    • Water: Water when the orchid bark is around 75% dry, or when the roots start to turn silver. Empty out any excess water to avoid root rot.
    • Soil Mix: Orchid bark that allows for the roots to breathe, Do not plant orchids in regualr potting soil.
  • Cyclamen Photo

    Cyclamen

    • Light: Cyclamen prefer bright indirect light. too much direct light may scorch the foliage and the flowers.
    • Water: Water when the soil is 25% dry, empty out excess water to discourage root rot.
    • Soil Mix: Well draining, good quality potting soil. Look for soil that contains perlite or vermiculite.
  • Anthurium Photo

    Anthurium

    • Light: Prefers bright indirect light, but can adapt to low light. Too much direct light can scorch the foliage.
    • Water: Water when the soil is 50% dry. Water and discard any excess water to discourage root rot.
    • Soil Mix: Anthruriums prefer a coarse well-draining potting mix. Peat moss that is amended with orchid bark and perlite is ideal.
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Tropical Houseplant Guide

  • Golden Pothos Photo

    Golden Pothos

    • Light: Prefers indirect bright light. It can tolerate lower light, but growth will slow and variegation may fade. Direct light can scorch the leaves.
    • Water: Water when soil volume is 50% dry, typically every 10-12 days. Water until liquid flows through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Empty saucer afterwards.
    • Soil Mix: Well draining, good quality potting soil. Look for soil that contains perlite or vermiculite.
  • Bird Of Paradise Photo

    Bird of Paradise

    • Light: Can handle direct and bright indirect light. However, it will flourish most in a sunny spot in direct sun.
    • Water: Water when soil volume is 50% dry. Water until liquid flows through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Empty saucer afterwards.
    • Soil Mix: A quality well draining potting soil, with additives such as worm castings and coco coir will benefit the plant greatly.
  • Bamboo Palm Photo

    Bamboo Palm

    • Light: Prefers bright indirect light. Keep out of direct sunlight as it may scorch the leaves.
    • Water: Water the plant throughly until you see water come out of the bottom of the pot when the soil volume is around 50% dry. Be careful not to overwater, these plants are susceptible to root rot.
    • Soil Mix: Moist but well-draining soil is best for bamboo palms. Soil that is porous but not humus rich is ideal.
  • Snake Plant Photo

    Snake Plant

    • Light: Can tolerate any light level. The brighter the light, the faster it will grow. Always acclimate the plant over a few weeks if moving from indirect to direct light to avoid scorching the foliage.
    • Water: ONLY water when the soil is 100% dry, this may mean watering only once a month depending on lighting. When watering be sure to water throughly.
    • Soil Mix: A very well draining potting soil, a cactus mix with additional perlite or orchid bark is ideal.
  • Staghorn Fern Image

    Staghorn Fern

    • Light: Avoid direct sunlight, can handle bright indirect to lower light areas. If given brighter light, make sure water, humidity, and temperature are adequate.
    • Water: Water about once a week, if mounted soak for about 10-20 mins once a week during summer months. In winter water every two weeks. Make sure this plant has a lot of humidity by misting or placing near a humidifier.
    • Soil Mix: Prefer a moisture retaining good quality soil mix. Once mature you can mount the plant to a wooden board using peat moss and fishing line or wire to secure it in place.
  • Venus Flytrap Photo

    Venus Fly Trap

    • Light: Can handle bright direct or indirect light. Prefers to be in a South facing windowsill. If receiving sufficient sunlight, Venus Flytraps will turn the inside of their traps red. Prefers temperatures of 65-75°F.
    • Water: Prefer to be damp/wet but not soaked or waterlogged. Bottom watering is preferred for this plant. Venus Flytraps require specific water, can ONLY be watered with either rainwater or spring water.
    • Soil Mix: 100% peat/sphagnum moss are recommended.
    • Winter Dormancy: Unlike other houseplants, Venus Flytraps like to go through winter dormancy. This means from the months of November-February move them to a colder location such as a window in a garage. During spring months you can prune back dead foliage and brick back to normal heated environment.
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Cactus & Succulent Guide

  • Golden Barrel Cactus Photo

    Golden Barrel Cactus

    • Light: Needs as much bright light to full sunlight as it can possibly get. A South facing window is ideal.
    • Water: ONLY water when the soil is 100% dry, this may mean watering only once a month depending on lighting. When watering be sure to water throughly.
    • Soil Mix: A very well draining potting soil, a cactus mix with additional perlite or orchid bark is ideal. Ammending with small rocks or bonsai soil is another good option.
  • Christmas Cactus Photo

    Christmas Cactus

    • Light: Prefers bright indirect light. Extended periods of direct light could scorch the foliage.
    • Water: Water when the soil volume is 50% dry. When watering be sure to water throughly until water comes out of the bottom of the pot.
    • Soil Mix: A very well-draining potting soil, a cactus mix with additional perlite or orchid bark. Amending with small rocks or bonsai soil is another good option.
  • Haworthia Photo

    Haworthia

    • Light: Prefers bright light. Not suitable for low light.
    • Water: Water when the soil is 100% dry. When watering be sure to water until you see water coming out of the bottom of the pot, do not leave water standing in the saucer.
    • Soil Mix: A very well-draining potting soil, a cactus mix with additional perlite or orchid bark. Amending with small rocks or bonsai soil is another good option.
  • Aloe Vera Photo

    Aloe Vera

    • Light: Prefers bright indirect light to full sun. Leaves will start to drop down if it receives insufficient light.
    • Water: Water when the soil is 100% dry. When watering be sure to water until you see water coming out of the bottom of the pot.
    • Soil Mix: A very well-draining potting soil, a cactus mix with additional perlite or orchid bark. Amending with small rocks or bonsai soil is another good option.
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