Importance of Proper Houseplant Care

Many times I have had people ask me why their houseplant isn't doing well or even died. I'll ask them how they cared for the houseplant and they'll say something like, I did the same thing as for such and such a plant.

Each houseplant has its own care guidelines. Houseplants come from different environments from locations all over the world. Many people forget that you can't expect a houseplant originating from a desert climate to have the same care instructions as a palm from a tropical environment.

Not only does following each houseplants care guidelines keep the plant alive, it helps bring the plant to its full potential. Some plants will yes, survive and look pretty good by providing it with water and almost the right amount of light. But give that houseplant the care it properly needs and your so-so plant, becomes full, lush and gorgeous.

Houseplants care instructions vary dramatically. Some require little to no water while others it seems like you're watering every other day. Then when trying to meet the lighting requirement, it gets even trickier.

For example, I had a philodendron that was on our old apartments walls. There was only a patio door in that room and the plant was all the way across it, at least 15 feet. The philodendron did great. In our new home, I placed some cuttings I had grown from the main plant on a ledge draping down about 10 feet from the main light source. It looked horrid. I finally moved it closer to the light and it sparked right back up. So lighting can be tough to get right, but always start with the general requirements for that specific plant.

I try to provide information for a variety of plants, and by far I am not even close to being complete. However, if there is a plant you'd like information about that hasn't been included on the site yet, place a comment on this page and I will move it up on the list.