How much light do indoor plants need?

Most houseplants want 6 to 8 hours of bright, indirect light each day. A south-facing window is brightest, an east window gives gentle morning sun, and a north window counts as low light. If plants lean toward the glass or grow small pale leaves, add a grow light 6 to 12 inches above them for 12 to 16 hours a day.

How often should I water houseplants?

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry rather than on a fixed schedule. Soak the pot until water drains from the bottom, then empty the saucer. Most plants need water every 7 to 14 days in summer and far less in winter, and hanging baskets dry out fastest of all.

Why are my plant leaves turning yellow?

Overwatering is the usual cause, especially when the lower leaves yellow first and the soil stays wet. Check that the pot drains, let the top inch dry before watering again, and make sure the plant is not standing in water. Low light and a lack of feeding can also cause pale yellow leaves.

What is the easiest indoor plant for a beginner?

ZZ plants and snake plants are the most forgiving. Both handle low light, tolerate a missed watering, and rarely attract pests. Pothos and philodendron are also easy and grow fast enough to feel rewarding in the first month.

Do indoor plants need special soil?

Yes. Use an indoor potting mix rather than garden soil, which compacts in a pot and holds too much water. A good mix contains peat or coconut coir plus perlite, so it drains fast and keeps air around the roots.

How do I get rid of bugs on indoor plants?

Move the plant away from the others first. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth, then spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, covering the undersides. Repeat weekly for three weeks to catch newly hatched eggs, and quarantine any new plant for two weeks.

Indoor gardening

Grow houseplants that actually last

Plant-by-plant care guides, fixes for yellow leaves and bugs, and honest gear advice from my own apartment and house plants here in New York. Everything is free, and nothing here needs a greenhouse.

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Healthy houseplants growing indoors on a bright windowsill

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Start here

New to houseplants? Read these four first

They cover the four things that decide whether a plant lives: the plant you pick, the light it gets, the way you water, and what to do when leaves start to turn.

Beginner

9 easy indoor plants

Nine houseplants that survive a first year, even with a forgetful owner.

Read the guide →

Low light

Plants for dark rooms

What really grows away from a window, and what only pretends to.

Read the guide →

Watering

When to water

The finger test, the morning rule, and how much is too much.

Read the guide →

Rescue

Why your plant is dying

Seven reasons houseplants fail indoors, and the fix for each one.

Read the guide →

Pick a plant

Choose the right plant for your room

Be honest about your light before you buy. A south window is bright all day, an east window gives gentle morning sun, and a north window is low light however bright it looks to you. Most houseplants want 60 to 75°F and no cold drafts.