A-Z Houseplant Encyclopedia Of Plant Care
A-Z List Of Houseplant Species With Full Plant Care Guides For Each Plant
Discover each houseplant species' care requirements, facts, figures, history, folklore, and personalized real world tips for each plant species. Unlock the trade secrets for plant growth indoors with our personal experience growing houseplants. Following our plant care guides ensures that your green companions thrive, rather than just survive. The images below represent each plant species, click them to explore detailed care instructions for your favourite houseplants.
Aloe Plant Care
Agave Plants
Aglaonema Plants
Alocasia Plants
Spider Plants
Epipremnum Plants
Ficus Plants
Hoya Plants
Monstera Plants
Peace Lily Plants
Philodendron Plants
Scindapsus Plants
Tradescantia Plants
Dieffenbachia Plants
Plant Care For Beginners
Keeping houseplants can be a rewarding and enjoyable hobby, even for beginners. If you're unsure how to care for your indoor plants, you've found the right page. In this plant care guide, we will cover all the basics of caring for plants, tailored to beginners. If you want to read more detailed information about each houseplant species that you keep, you can find individual species plant care in our A-Z houseplant encyclopedia. To get you started on your houseplant journey, we've summarised all aspects of plant care to get you started on the path to healthy roots, and vigorous shoots:
Houseplant Lighting
Different indoor plants have different light requirements. Most houseplants thrive in bright, indirect light, which means bright lighting without sunlight touching the leaves. Place plants near windows where they can get plenty of natural light, but avoid direct sunlight. If a houseplant is placed in full sun and can't handle it, the sunlight can scorch the leaves, causing brown, crispy patches. If your home doesn’t get much natural light, consider using artificial grow lights for houseplants, as they are much safer for most plant species than direct sunlight. To determine if your houseplant can grow in direct sunlight, check our species-specific A-Z plant care guides for detailed lighting requirements.
Repotting Houseplants
Most houseplant keepers repot their plants every one to two years. Another way to tell if your plant needs repotting is by checking the roots. If you notice the root ball starting to become crowded, it could be time for a bigger pot. It's recommended to only pot plants up into pots that have no more than 1 inch (2.54 cm) of free space around the root ball to prevent excess soil from holding too much moisture and causing root rot.
You can tell if your plant is pot-bound by taking it out of the pot and visually checking the roots. If you see lots of soil, it's a sign the plant doesn't need repotting. However, if you see thick roots stacked on top of each other and circling around the outside of the soil, it's a sign that repotting is necessary. Some houseplants do like to be pot-bound, so check our A-Z houseplant species guide before repotting.
To repot your plants, gather the correct soil for your plant species (see above) and find a pot that is 1 inch (2.54 cm) larger than the current one. Carefully take your plant out of the old pot and remove any debris or rotting material. Place a handful of soil at the bottom of the new pot and check the height of the plant. If you want your plant to sit higher, add more soil to the bottom of the pot. Once you're happy with the placement, fill around the root ball with fresh potting soil and gently firm it down. Water thoroughly with good-quality plant food, and consider using a biostimulant like seaweed to reduce transplant shock risk. When repotting, try to use new potting soil to refresh the nutrients for your plant. If you reuse old soil, you will need to add more nutrients through watering to compensate for the lack of nutrients in the spent potting mix.
Houseplant Pruning
Pruning is often overlooked until there's an issue with houseplants. Dead leaves, yellowing leaf tips, or leggy growth may force us to prune plants even when we hadn't planned to. Plants can benefit from regular pruning when given the right nutrients to combat stress. A scientific study found that light pruning combined with the application of amino acids, especially glycine, promoted better growth and flowering. Our houseplant pruning guide covers the use of amino acids to help plants recover from pruning, along with several other biostimulants. When plants are given the right tools to recover, pruning can be a beneficial part of plant care routines.
As a minimum, regularly trim dead or yellowing leaves to keep your houseplants healthy. For plants that grow quickly, pruning can help maintain their shape and size, like with Bonsai trees. Pruning encourages new growth, so don't worry about losing foliage, as you usually get more growth than you cut off. Most houseplants bush out and create more side branches when pruned, except for plants like succulents, cacti, some Aroids, and Aloe. Plants like Ficus that have tree-like stems will divert their growth energy to side branches when the main leader is topped. Some Aroids, like Monstera, Philodendron, or Scindapsus don't typically bush out when pruned. Conversely, Aglaonema, Dieffenbachia, and some Epipremnum create several new growth points when pruned. To find out how your houseplant species will react to pruning, check our A-Z plant species care guides for more information.
Moss Poles For Indoor Plants
Most climbing plants benefit from using a moss pole to support their growth, which helps plants to grow fenestrated leaves with split, and holes. For a more advanced setup that offers better plant care, we thoroughly recommend making one of our signature self watering moss poles. These hydrating support poles provide more consistent moisture to plants aerial roots through the moss pole, promoting faster growth and fenestrations. Moss poles are not only great for enhancing the aesthetic appeal of climbing plants but also crucial for their structural support. Climbing species like Monstera often need additional support to prevent them from falling over, which is common if they aren’t given something to cling to. Using moss pins, plant ties, or string to secure your plant to the moss pole helps it stay upright and promotes healthier growth.
Over time, the plant's aerial roots will latch onto the moss pole and become established. This secondary root system plays a significant role in feeding the plant at the active growth nodes, where new foliage is produced. By having roots closer to these growth points, the plant can absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. This reduces the distance water has to travel from the primary roots in the soil to the new growth, conserving the plant’s energy.
Plants use a process called transpiration to move water from the roots to the leaves. Water is absorbed by the roots and travels through the plant’s vascular system, known as the xylem, to reach the leaves. This movement is powered by the evaporation of water from the leaf surfaces, creating a negative pressure that draws water upward. While this process is essential for nutrient transport and cooling the plant, it requires considerable energy. By reducing the distance water has to travel, moss poles help minimize the energy expenditure associated with transpiration, allowing the plant to allocate more resources to growth and development.
In essence, moss poles help optimize indoor plant growth by providing both physical support and a more effective way for the plant to nourish itself. This setup is particularly beneficial for vigorous climbers like Monstera, as it supports their natural growth habits and enhances their overall health and vitality.
Houseplants With Fenestrated Leaves
Fenestrated leaves, or leaves with natural splits and holes, are one of the most captivating features of certain houseplants. These unique leaf patterns not only add a touch of exotic beauty to your indoor garden but also serve practical purposes for the plant. Understanding why and how fenestrations develop can help you appreciate these fascinating botanical adaptations.
Plants such as Monstera deliciosa and some Philodendron species are known for their striking fenestrated leaves. These natural splits and holes are not just for aesthetics; they are evolutionary adaptations that help plants survive in their native tropical environments. Fenestrations allow light to penetrate through the leaves, reaching the lower parts of the plant and ensuring that even the shaded areas can perform photosynthesis effectively. This adaptation is particularly beneficial in dense tree canopies where light is scarce.
Additionally, fenestrations reduce wind resistance, which is crucial for plants in windy habitats. The gaps in the leaves allow wind to pass through more easily, preventing the leaves from tearing and reducing physical stress on the plant. This makes fenestrated plants more resilient and better suited to their natural environments. Another advantage of fenestrated leaves is their ability to shed water efficiently. The holes and splits help channel rainwater off the leaf surface, reducing the risk of fungal infections and other moisture-related diseases. This adaptation helps keep the plant healthy in humid, rainy climates where excess moisture can be a problem.
For indoor gardeners, replicating the natural conditions that encouraged these plant adaptations in the first place can help your plants develop fenestrated leaves. Providing bright, indirect light, maintaining high humidity, and ensuring proper watering can all contribute to the development of fenestrated leaves. With the right care, you can enjoy the stunning and unique foliage that fenestrated houseplants bring to your home.
Houseplant Humidity
Most people have no idea what the humidity is in their homes, so the first thing we recommend is purchasing a hygrometer. These affordable gadgets will alert you to any humidity issues in your home and allow you to monitor the effectiveness of any changes you make. Many houseplants, especially tropical ones, appreciate higher humidity levels to thrive indoors. For most plants, the ideal humidity levels are between 40% and 60%. This range replicates the natural conditions of many tropical plants commonly kept indoors. Not all species like high humidity, so always check our A-Z plant care guides for more tailored care instructions. Here are a few tips to maintain optimal humidity for your houseplants:
Humidifiers: One of the most effective ways to consistently maintain humidity. Affordable to buy and run, humidifiers significantly enhance plant growth indoors.
Misting: Lightly misting your plants can provide a temporary humidity boost, though it might not be enough for plants that need consistently high humidity. Only spray plants at night to avoid water sitting on the leaves, as water drops can act as lenses and burn plant leaves, leaving unsightly marks and dead spots.
Water Trays: Place a tray of water near your plants, or put pots on a pebble tray filled with water. These are the simplest and most affordable ways to increase humidity.
Grouping Plants: Grouping plants together can create a microenvironment with higher humidity due to the combined transpiration. Be careful not to group plants that may be infested with pests, as they will quickly spread from leaf to leaf. This is a trick used at houseplant nurseries to increase humidity for plants. Grouping plants helps maintain local humidity levels naturally, making your plant care easier.
Houseplant Soil
Soil is the foundation of good plant care, as it provides moisture, nutrients, and structural support for the plant. Over time, houseplant soil can become depleted of nutrients, especially in mature plants. Soil can also become compacted or hydrophobic, making it difficult to properly nourish your indoor plants. To prevent issues, most houseplant keepers repot their plants every 1–3 years, depending on the species. We recommend making your own houseplant soil, as commercial premixed potting soil can come contaminated with pest eggs, weed seeds, and other unwanted guests.
If you want to make houseplant soil yourself, check out our how-to guides for creating your own soil mixes, including a general multipurpose houseplant mix, a specialist Aroid soil mix, and a dry cactus soil mix. We've also written a guide on how to sterilize soil and soil ingredients to ensure no pests contaminate your houseplant collection through the potting medium.
When buying commercial soil, choose a good-quality potting mix appropriate for your plant type. You can check what each species needs in their substrate by finding your houseplant species in our A-Z plant encyclopedia. Generally, most houseplants do well in standard multipurpose potting soil, but some, like succulents and cacti, require a quick-draining soil mix. Always check the soil bag for ingredients before purchasing to ensure it is suitable for your houseplant species.
Houseplant Fertilizing
As our houseplants are potted, they rely on us to give them all the nutrients they need to grow. Soil can contain nutrients, but these can end up depleted, leaving the plant slowly starving to death. It's important to feed our houseplants to replenish these used up nutrients. In the wild, plants have access to soil, and the water table, which allow them to feed whenever they need. When keeping plants in pots, we're responsible for giving them their nourishment.
During the growing season (typically spring and summer), feed your plants with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, following the manufacturer's instructions. Fertilizer dosage depends on the brand and the individual NPK ratio of the feed. You can learn more about NPK ratios and how they can help you understand plant food. Our guide will explain NPK in a simple way, so you can easily read your plant food bottles like a calorie information label. Some fertilizers can be used weekly, while others must be used every 2–3 weeks. Most complete foods (like our personal favourite, Formulex) are designed to be fed weekly to maximize growth, but some nitrogen-heavy feeds can't be used weekly without damaging the plants. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer package, or contact the manufacturer if you can't find the information on the label.
Over-fertilizing houseplants can harm the roots and damage plant cells. When houseplants are overfertilized, they experience nutrient lockout, where they can't take up food or water through their roots. This causes them to slowly starve, which is the opposite of our intentions when fertilizing houseplants. Too much of a good thing is, well, too much. We've written a detailed guide on how to spot nutrient burn in houseplants, with pictures to help you diagnose your plant. Over-fertilization can be one of the biggest killers of houseplants, after overwatering.
If you're new to houseplants and unsure how to feed them, you can learn about every aspect of plant food from our detailed fertilizer guide. It covers understanding plant labels, how often to feed houseplants, the best types of liquid fertilizer, soil amendments, biofertilizers, and products that promote soil health by adding beneficial microorganisms to your soil. If you're struggling with where to start with feeding houseplants, start by reading our guide to learn how to nourish plants without overfeeding and killing them.
Houseplant Watering
Watering needs can vary significantly by plant species, so it's always worth checking our plant care guides for your specific houseplant. A general rule for watering houseplants is to water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Sticking your finger into the soil can quickly tell you when plants need watering. However, it can be hard to tell if the soil is moist when you're new to houseplants. To remove ambiguity, consider purchasing a moisture meter to take the guesswork out of knowing when to water your plants.
Overwatering is the leading cause of plant death indoors, as waterlogged soil can lead to root rot. It's better to underwater slightly than to overwater. Ensure your plant pots have adequate drainage holes to allow excess water to escape; you can drill extra holes in plastic pots using a size 4-6 wood drill bit.
Watering houseplants makes us happier; that's been scientifically proven. It can be easy to get carried away giving our plants too much love, especially when we see them growing well as a result of it. However, drowning your plants with water will actually cause the roots to lose the ability to absorb water at all, ultimately causing the plant to die of thirst, starvation, or root rot.
The biggest trade secret we can pass onto you is to use caution when watering houseplants, as too much water really is too much water. Overwatering is the biggest cause of plant death; so proceed with caution when watering your indoor plants.
Houseplant Pests
Pests are, unfortunately, an inevitable part of keeping houseplants, as even with the best plant hygiene, pests can come in from the outdoors and infect your houseplant collections. Pests can enter through open windows, doors, vents, or even catch a ride on a human. Quarantining new plants can reduce pest infestations, but sometimes pests still enter your home via shoes, clothing, or parcels. The key to success when dealing with houseplant pests is knowing how to get rid of them on the first try. It can be expensive and frustrating to repeatedly treat entire collections, especially when you have lots of houseplants in your home.
We won't list specific pest treatments here, as the treatment depends on the pest species and the houseplants you have. Instead, check our dedicated pest removal guide. We've written detailed guides on treating houseplant pests, including spider mites, thrips, mealy bugs, aphids, scale bugs, gnats, and more. Our guides list natural preventative treatments, natural pesticides, chemical pesticides and insecticides, systemic treatments, biological control with predatory mites, nematodes, and insects, and other methods to control plant pests in your home. We've covered everything from using natural methods like horticultural soap and neem oil as preventative measures to chemical treatments to eliminate pests.
Almost every plant keeper has experienced fungus gnats invading their home. These frustrating creatures are very difficult to eliminate once established. The leading cause of gnats indoors is wet soil, which attracts them. To combat this, we've tested every method to stop them from laying eggs in your plant pots, from natural methods to chemicals. For the nuclear option, we've checked the safety data of every effective treatment and compiled a multipronged care plan to help you get rid of fungus gnats from your home for good!
Pest eggs may be hiding around your home in walls, floors, skirting boards, and even wet mops and fabrics. Yes, some houseplant pests can lay eggs in your home, including fungus gnats, who lay eggs in walls and floors. Our treatment guides both cover how to find, remove, and treat pest eggs in your home, so although it's easy to panic, try not to worry, our guides will help you eradicate them.
Certain pest species' eggs can lay dormant until the environmental conditions are right for them to hatch. This results in a pest infestation appearing to be under control, but suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, more pests appear. This can often be because they've laid eggs in places you didn't know existed, or because certain aspects of pest removal had been overlooked. Learning where these pests hide and how to remove them can be the key to successful pest treatments for houseplants.
Keeping Indoor Plants: Patience & Observation
In a world of instant gratification, it can be hard to appreciate the art of patience when keeping houseplants. Part of the fun of having a houseplant collection is watching them grow. Although progress is slow, it's incredibly rewarding to see the results of your hard work. Some plants produce visible growth daily, while others are slower. We love checking our plants every day to see how much they've grown. This is one of our favourite parts of plant care!
One of the best pieces of advice we can give as professional horticulturists is to be patient when things aren't going right and never be afraid to experiment with your plant care and learn as you go. Learning about plant care and applying that knowledge practically can be incredibly satisfying as it validates your learning, grows your plant knowledge, and helps your houseplants thrive rather than just survive.
As you've probably gathered, houseplants take time to grow and thrive. To maintain indoor growth, regularly check your houseplants and adjust their care as needed. Check our A-Z plant care encyclopedia to see the care requirements for each individual houseplant species. We're constantly updating our plant care guides to ensure they're up-to-date, fresh, and filled with the best plant care tips.
Edited & Fact Checked By: The Houseplant Shop
Article Published: 19th December 2024
About The Houseplant Shop:
Independent Houseplant Nursery
Horticultural Specialists
Managing Over 250 Houseplant Species Onsite
Over 15 Years Of Experience With Horticulture
As head of horticulture, Sarah manages the care and propagation of over 250 plant species at a commercial houseplant nursery. With over 15 years of experience in horticulture, specializing in houseplants, Sarah has extensive expertise in plant biology, soil science, and integrated pest management. She continually reviews and integrates the latest research into her plant care guides. Dedicated to educating others, Sarah has spent years diagnosing houseplant care issues and sharing her real-world experience. Her commitment to scientific accuracy and helping people diagnose plant health issues has established her as a trusted authority and expert in the field.
The Houseplant Shop is a dedicated houseplant nursery, growing all of their own stock from their botanical library of over 250 houseplant species. The nursery staff are horticultural experts who have dedicated their lives to cultivating and nurturing over 250 different species of houseplants, focusing on Aroids, tropical plants, and NOID collectables. All their plants are grown in house in Britain to be more environmentally friendly. The nursery is proud to have been featured by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) as a 100% peat free nursery.
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How We Reviewed This Article:
Our horticultural experts continually monitor the houseplant space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. We are committed to providing current and reliable information. If you have some information that you think would be helpful in this article, we'd love to hear from you. Our team works hard to revise articles for factual accuracy, and we regularly update our pages with new information, techniques, tips, images, trade secrets, and real world experience from the team here at the houseplant nursery. You can find a list of the article updates below.
Written By: Sarah Brooks, Head of Horticulture
Article Received: 15th December 2024
Copyright: The Houseplant Shop (https://thehouseplant.shop)
The use, distribution, or reproduction is permitted, provided the original copyright owner is credited and that the original publication on this website is cited with a direct link to the article, only with these terms. Any other use is not permitted.
List of Article Updates:
20th December 2024: Minor UI updates
Author Bio:
Author: Sarah Brooks,
Head of Horticulture at The Houseplant Shop