How to keep your indoor plants healthy and thriving
Indoor houseplants brighten living rooms, freshen office air and have been shown to reduce stress. However, they require more than good intentions to survive. With the right routine, even reluctant gardeners can keep their greenery flourishing year-round.
Maddy Miller, owner of Grows on Main, said one of the most popular starting points for beginners is the hearty Devil’s Ivy. “Devil's Ivy is one of the number one plants. A lot of people have one of those,” she said. “The next up is the Monstera.”
For those who want something even more forgiving, Miller recommends snake plants, sometimes called Mother-in-Law’s tongue. “They are low-light tolerant, super drought tolerant,” she said. “Not that we recommend it, but you could put them in a closet and water them once a month and they’ll still survive.”
Overwatering is the number one killer of indoor plants, Miller said. Most plant owners make the mistake of watering on a fixed daily schedule rather than reading their plant’s cues. “You’re basically rotting it away,” she said. “You’re creating a too wet, too damp environment.” Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves, brown tips and molding soil. On the flip side, drooping or curling leaves typically signal a plant that is thirsty and overdue for a drink.
To avoid both extremes, Miller recommends a simple technique. “We like the finger test,” she said. “You stick your finger to the second knuckle and if you don’t feel any wetness at all, it’s ready for a watering.” For most houseplants, that sweet spot falls around once a week. When watering, pour slowly until water drains from the bottom of the pot, then empty the drip tray after about 30 minutes to prevent root rotting.
Light is another area where plant owners tend to overcorrect. Many worry that their home doesn’t get enough direct sunlight. Miller said that concern is largely misplaced. “House plants do well in shaded areas, which is why they’re house plants,” she said. Finding the right spot often comes down to trial and error — moving a plant around to see where it puts out the most growth, since some varieties prefer morning light while others thrive in afternoon sun. Yellowing or leggy, stretched stems often signal too little light, while scorched or bleached patches point to too much direct sun.
Soil and pot selection matter more than many beginners realize. “Most house plants want a well-draining soil,” Miller said. “They don't want to sit in that water. They want it to have somewhere to go. Leave holes in the bottom, somewhere for it to drain out.” Plants should be repotted every one to two years, ideally in spring, choosing a new container only one to two inches wider than the current one and filling it with fresh potting mix that is suited to the plant type.
During the active spring and summer growing season, fertilize once a month with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength. Cut back or stop fertilizing entirely in fall and winter when most plants enter a natural rest period, as feeding during dormancy can damage roots and produce weak growth. Temperature and humidity also play a role. Most tropical houseplants prefer 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and struggle near cold drafts, air conditioning vents or heating units.
Checking the undersides of leaves regularly for pests such as spider mites, fungus gnats and mealybugs can prevent a small problem from becoming a damaging infestation. Diluted neem oil spray or insecticidal soap handles most common pests without harsh chemicals.
For plant owners who hit a wall, Miller encourages them to stop by her shop. “It happens all the time,” she said. “Even with plants we don’t sell, people will come in looking for help and we’ll help them, whether that’s literally hands on or just giving them advice. We try to be as community supportive as possible.”
Beyond the aesthetics, Miller said the payoff of keeping plants goes deeper than most people expect. Being around even a little bit of nature can do wonders for mental health — and plants improve indoor air quality, too. With consistent attention and a little patience, they reward their caretakers with far more than a greener living room.
