House Plant Basics

1. LIGHT
All plants need light, but the amount varies, in part, by where the plant originally came from. For example, houseplants that are natives of the jungle floor have evolved to thrive on the filtered light that sifts through the dense jungle canopy. Desert plants, on the other hand, are sun-worshippers because there is little shade in their world. 

To be successful, match the light conditions in your home to the plants that will thrive there. Unobstructed, south-facing windows are ideal for desert dwellers, but light-sensitive ferns, and orchids may develop scorched leaves in bright light. East- and west-facing windows generally receive partial sun. Darker locations that face north are best for low-light plants. 

The plant tag will tell you how much light a plant needs. Here’s how to tell if a plant is getting too much or too little light.

Too Little Light 
-- The plant dramatically starts to lean towards the light.
-- Lower and/or interior leaves on the plants simply fall off.
-- Leaves curl upwards.
-- New growth is much smaller than original leaves and may have less color.
-- Plants grow spindly with elongated stems.
-- Flowering plants stop producing blooms.

Too Much Light
-- The plant develops brown or sunburned spots on its leaves.
-- Leaves begin to yellow and fall.
-- Plants with colorful foliage will begin to fade.
-- The entire plant looks scorched. 

2. WATER
All plants require water, but different plants require different amounts. Desert natives can get by with minimal moisture while some tropical plants wilt dramatically if they go without water for just a couple of days. The plant label will help you determine how much water—and you should consider this before you purchase a houseplant. If you travel frequently (or are forgetful), avoid plants that need a lot of  moisture. Instead, look for species that prefer dry conditions. Consider also that the pots themselves affect soil moisture. Terra cotta pots, for example, are porous and allow soil moisture to evaporate while the soil in plastic pots dries out more slowly.


3. FOOD
Most houseplants are potted in soil that contains slow-release fertilizer. This means that you won’t have to add more nutrients to the soil right away. Over time, however, you might want to feed your houseplants in one of two ways. You can sprinkle a dry, slow-release houseplant fertilizer over the surface of the soil, or you can add a dilute solution of liquid houseplant fertilizer every time you water. Liquid plant food can be absorbed faster than dry food and is especially useful for flowering houseplants.  Dry food, on the other hand, feeds the plant over several months. Plus, you won’t have to worry about mixing and measuring fertilizer.