Light, water, soil, and what to do when things go wrong. Everything you need to care for indoor plants, without the guesswork.
Light is the single biggest variable in houseplant health. Most failures come from misreading a room's actual light levels — windows deceive.
Sunlight hitting the plant directly for 4+ hours. South or west-facing windows. Suitable for cacti, succulents, and most herbs. Most tropical plants burn here.
Near a window but not in the sun's direct path — within 1–2 metres of a south or east-facing window. The sweet spot for most popular houseplants: Monstera, Pothos, Fiddle Leaf Fig.
Several metres from a window, or a north-facing room. Snake plants, ZZ plants, and Peace Lilies tolerate this well. Variegated plants will lose their patterning here over time.
Deep in a room or a hallway with only artificial light. Almost no plant thrives here — Cast Iron Plant and some Dracaenas survive. Rotate plants out periodically to recover them.
Overwatering kills more houseplants than underwatering. The goal is to water thoroughly, then let the soil dry appropriately before watering again.
Push your finger 2–3 cm into the soil. If it feels moist, wait. If dry, water. For succulents and cacti, wait until the soil is completely dry and the pot feels light when lifted.
Pour until water drains freely from the bottom. This ensures the entire root zone is reached. Light watering encourages shallow roots and uneven moisture.
Sitting in standing water for more than 30 minutes causes root rot. Drain or mop out the saucer after every watering session without exception.
Most plants slow growth in winter and need significantly less water — sometimes half as often. Reduce frequency from October to March, then increase as daylight returns.
Cold water shocks tropical roots. Let tap water sit for an hour to reach room temperature — this also allows chlorine to dissipate, which sensitive plants appreciate.
Potting mix is not garden soil. The right mix for your plant type determines drainage, aeration, and how long roots stay healthy between waterings.
| Plant Type | Best Mix | Repot When |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical (Monstera, Pothos, Philodendron) | Standard potting mix with 20% perlite for drainage | Roots circling the base or emerging from drainage holes |
| Succulents & Cacti | 50% coarse sand or grit, 50% standard mix | Every 2–3 years, or when top-heavy and unstable |
| Orchids | Bark-based orchid mix — never standard potting soil | Every 1–2 years when bark breaks down and retains moisture |
| Ferns & Calathea | Peat or coco coir-heavy mix, moisture-retentive | When plant looks crowded or growth stalls despite good care |
| ZZ & Snake Plant | Well-draining mix with extra perlite — they hate wet feet | Every 2–3 years — they prefer being slightly root-bound |
Most houseplant problems are visible before they become fatal. Learning to read the symptoms accurately is what separates a plant that recovers from one that doesn't.
Yellow lower leaves on a healthy plant is normal ageing. Yellow all over usually means overwatering. Yellow with dry soil means underwatering or too much direct sun.
Almost always a humidity or water quality issue. Low humidity, fluoride in tap water, or salt build-up from fertiliser are the usual causes. Mist leaves, use filtered water, or flush the soil thoroughly.
Check the soil immediately. Wilting with wet soil means root rot — unpot and check roots urgently. Wilting with dry soil means underwatering — water thoroughly now. Both look identical from above.
The plant is reaching toward light it isn't getting. Move it closer to a window. Pinch back leggy stems to encourage bushier growth — new growth will be more compact.
These live in moist topsoil. Let the soil dry more between waterings — the larvae can't survive without consistently moist conditions. Yellow sticky traps catch adults while you address the root cause.
In growing season, stalled growth usually means insufficient light, a pot-bound root system, or depleted soil nutrients. Move closer to a window, check if roots are circling, and consider a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly.
Straightforward answers to the questions that come up most.