Plant Care Guides
Your friendly library of plant care tips. Find simple, joyful advice on watering, light, and humidity to help every houseplant thrive-from easy-going succulents to dramatic tropicals.
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Caring for Ferns Plants
Unlock the secrets to happy, healthy ferns plants. Our guides offer simple tips on watering, light, and humidity to help your plant friends flourish.
Boston fern (sword fern)
IntermediateNephrolepis exaltata
Evergreen tropical fern with arching, feathery fronds; popular as a houseplant and landscape fern. Prefers bright indirect light, high humidity and consistently moist, well-draining soil.
Japanese holly fern
BeginnerCyrtomium falcatum
Evergreen fern with glossy, holly-like pinnate fronds; tolerant of low light and indoor conditions, commonly grown as a houseplant or in shady gardens.
Maidenhair fern
IntermediateAdiantum
Delicate maidenhair ferns with fan-shaped pinnules and dark wiry stems; prefer bright indirect light, high humidity, and consistently moist, well-draining soil.
staghorn fern (elkhorn fern)
IntermediatePlatycerium
Epiphytic fern with distinctive antler-like fronds, often mounted; native to tropical regions and prefers bright, indirect light, humidity, and periodic watering.
Caring for Flowering Houseplants
Unlock the secrets to happy, healthy your flowering houseplants. Our guides offer simple tips on watering, light, and humidity to help your plant friends flourish.
Caring for Houseplant
Unlock the secrets to happy, healthy houseplant plants. Our guides offer simple tips on watering, light, and humidity to help your plant friends flourish.
African violet
BeginnerSaintpaulia ionantha
Compact rosette-forming houseplant with velvety leaves and violet-like blooms; popular indoor plant needing bright, indirect light, even moisture, and moderate humidity.
air plant
BeginnerTillandsia
Epiphytic bromeliads known as air plants; absorb water and nutrients through leaf trichomes, often grown without soil on mounts, preferring bright indirect light and regular misting or occasional soaking.
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)
BeginnerHippeastrum
Bulbous perennial prized for large, trumpet-shaped flowers (often called amaryllis); commonly grown indoors from bulbs and blooms in winter to spring with bright, showy flowers.
Anemone (windflower)
IntermediateAnemone spp.
Herbaceous perennials with showy single or double flowers (windflowers), grown from rhizomes, tubers, or seeds; prefer cool, moist sites with partial to full sun.
Areca palm (Golden cane palm, Butterfly palm)
BeginnerDypsis lutescens
Clumping palm with feathery, arching fronds and yellowish stems; popular indoor tropical houseplant that prefers bright indirect light, regular water, and humidity.
Arrowhead vine (arrowhead plant)
BeginnerSyngonium podophyllum
Evergreen tropical aroid vine with arrowhead-shaped leaves; popular, easy houseplant with many variegated cultivars and climbing habit.
Aster
BeginnerAster spp.
Herbaceous perennials with daisy-like composite flowers in late summer to fall; many species and cultivars used in borders and pollinator gardens.
Baby's-breath
BeginnerGypsophila
Genus of herbaceous flowering plants (baby's-breath) grown for airy clusters of tiny white or pink flowers; prefers full sun and well‑drained, neutral to alkaline soil.
Bee balm (bergamot, horsemint)
BeginnerMonarda
A genus of aromatic, nectar-rich perennial herbs in the mint family (Lamiaceae), known as bee balm; produces showy tubular flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Bellflower
BeginnerCampanula (Campanula spp.)
A diverse genus of mostly herbaceous perennials called bellflowers, with bell-shaped blue, purple, white, or pink blooms; popular in borders, rock gardens, and containers.
bird's-nest fern
BeginnerAsplenium nidus
Epiphytic tropical fern with large, glossy, wavy fronds forming a central "nest"; popular, low-light houseplant preferring humidity and consistently moist, well-draining substrate.
Black-eyed Susan
BeginnerRudbeckia hirta
Showy daisy-like yellow to orange petals with a dark central cone; hardy, drought-tolerant, attracts pollinators, and grows 1–3 ft tall.
carnation
IntermediateDianthus caryophyllus
Herbaceous perennial with fragrant, fringed blooms in many colors; a popular cut flower that prefers full sun, cool conditions, and well-drained soil.
cast-iron plant
BeginnerAspidistra elatior
Shade-tolerant, hardy evergreen perennial houseplant with glossy, arching, leathery leaves; very tolerant of low light, drought, and neglect.
Chinese evergreen
BeginnerAglaonema spp.
Tropical evergreen houseplant prized for attractive variegated leaves; tolerant of low light and forgiving of irregular watering.
Chinese money plant
BeginnerPilea peperomioides
Compact tropical houseplant with round, coin-shaped leaves on long petioles; beginner-friendly, prefers bright indirect light, moderate watering, and is easily propagated from pups.
Christmas rose (black hellebore)
BeginnerHelleborus niger
Evergreen perennial known as the Christmas rose; produces white, often pink-tinged flowers in winter to early spring. Hardy, shade-tolerant woodland plant with leathery leaves.
Chrysanthemum (mum)
BeginnerChrysanthemum × morifolium (syn. Dendranthema morifolium)
Ornamental flowering perennial (often grown as annuals) with showy daisy-like blooms in many colors, commonly called mums; popular in gardens and containers.
Clematis (clematis vine)
IntermediateClematis spp.
Deciduous or evergreen flowering vines in the Ranunculaceae family, prized for large showy blooms in many colors; commonly grown on trellises, fences, and pergolas.
Columbine
BeginnerAquilegia
Showy, nectar-rich herbaceous perennials with nodding, spurred flowers in many colors; shade-tolerant, often self-seeding and suited to temperate garden borders and wildflower beds.
Common foxglove (Purple foxglove)
BeginnerDigitalis purpurea
Biennial or short-lived perennial with tall spikes of tubular purple-pink flowers; popular ornamental but highly toxic if ingested.
common hollyhock
BeginnerAlcea rosea
Tall, showy biennial or short-lived perennial with large, colorful, single or double flowers on spikes; easy to grow, attracts pollinators and suits cottage borders.
Common hyacinth (Dutch hyacinth)
BeginnerHyacinthus orientalis
Fragrant spring-blooming bulbous perennial with dense spikes of bell-shaped flowers in various colors; commonly grown in gardens and containers; hardy in temperate climates.
Common impatiens (Busy Lizzie)
BeginnerImpatiens walleriana
Shade-loving, compact flowering plant with bright blooms; commonly grown as an annual in temperate gardens and as a tender perennial in frost-free climates.
common lilac
BeginnerSyringa vulgaris
A hardy deciduous shrub known as the common lilac, grown for fragrant spring clusters of purple, pink, or white flowers and heart-shaped leaves; prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Common sunflower
BeginnerHelianthus annuus
Tall annual with large yellow flowerheads and edible seeds; prefers full sun, well-draining soil, and is easy to grow from seed.
Common yarrow
BeginnerAchillea millefolium
Hardy, low-maintenance perennial herb with feathery leaves and flat clusters of tiny flowers; tolerates poor soils, drought, and full sun.
Cornflower (bachelor's button)
BeginnerCentaurea cyanus
Annual ornamental wildflower with vivid blue, pink, or white thistle-like blooms; attracts pollinators and grows easily in well-drained soil and full sun.
Crocus
BeginnerCrocus
Small cormous perennials in the iris family with cup-shaped, early-spring or autumn flowers; includes ornamental species and the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus).
Croton (variegated croton, garden croton)
IntermediateCodiaeum variegatum
Evergreen tropical shrub valued for bold, multicolored variegated leaves; commonly grown as an ornamental houseplant or garden shrub.
Crown of thorns (Christ plant)
BeginnerEuphorbia milii
Small, spiny perennial succulent shrub with showy colored bracts, native to Madagascar. Drought-tolerant and easy to grow in bright light; commonly called crown-of-thorns.
Daffodil
BeginnerNarcissus
Spring-flowering bulbous perennial producing trumpet- or cup-shaped yellow, white, or orange blooms; hardy, easy to grow, commonly used in borders and naturalized plantings.
Dahlia
IntermediateDahlia × pinnata
Tuberous, herbaceous perennial (Asteraceae) with large, colorful composite flowers; often grown as an annual in cold climates. Prefers full sun, rich soil, regular water and staking.
daylily
BeginnerHemerocallis
Clump-forming herbaceous perennials with strap-like leaves and showy, often short-lived flowers; adaptable, hardy and low-maintenance, widely used in ornamental gardens.
Delphinium (larkspur)
IntermediateDelphinium spp.
Tall, showy herbaceous perennials with spiked, colorful flowers (larkspurs). Prefer cool summers, rich well-drained soil, full sun to part shade, regular moisture, and often need staking.
Elephant Ear (Alocasia)
IntermediateAlocasia spp.
Tropical aroid grown for large, dramatic leaves; prefers bright indirect light, high humidity, and consistent moisture, with occasional seasonal dormancy.
False spirea (Astilbe)
BeginnerAstilbe
Shade-loving perennial with feathery plume-like flower panicles and fern-like foliage; prefers moist, humus-rich soil and partial to full shade, ideal for borders and woodland gardens.
Fiddle-leaf fig
IntermediateFicus lyrata
Tall tropical fig with large, violin-shaped glossy leaves; popular as an indoor ornamental, preferring bright indirect light, moderate watering, and higher humidity.
freesia
BeginnerFreesia × hybrida
Fragrant spring-blooming cormous perennial with funnel-shaped, colorful flowers, commonly grown for borders and as cut-flowers.
Gerbera (Gerbera daisy)
IntermediateGerbera × hybrida
Showy, daisy-like flowers in many colors; grown as ornamental perennials or container plants, preferring bright light, well-draining soil, moderate watering, and cool to mild temperatures.
Gladiolus (sword lily)
IntermediateGladiolus × hortulanus
Cormous perennial with tall spikes of colorful funnel-shaped flowers (gladiolus/sword lily), grown from corms for summer blooms; popular in borders and as cut flowers.
Golden bamboo (common bamboo)
BeginnerBambusa vulgaris
Tall clumping tropical bamboo with bright yellow culms (often green-striped); fast-growing, used ornamentally and for construction; thrives in warm, moist climates.
Golden pothos (devil's ivy)
BeginnerEpipremnum aureum
Evergreen tropical vining houseplant with glossy heart-shaped leaves, often variegated (gold or white); hardy, low-light tolerant and easy to grow indoors.
Grape hyacinth
BeginnerMuscari
Small spring-blooming bulbous perennials with dense clusters of blue, purple, or white urn-shaped flowers resembling grapes; hardy and easy to grow in sun or part shade.
Holiday cactus (Christmas/Thanksgiving cactus)
BeginnerSchlumbergera
Epiphytic, segmented cacti from Brazilian forests, known as holiday cacti. They produce colorful winter blooms and prefer bright, indirect light, moderate humidity and well-draining soil.
Hydrangea (bigleaf hydrangea)
IntermediateHydrangea macrophylla
Deciduous flowering shrub with large mophead or lacecap blooms; flower color can vary with soil pH. Prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil.
Iris
BeginnerIris spp.
Perennial herbaceous plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in diverse colors; many species grow from rhizomes or bulbs and prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
Kentia palm
BeginnerHowea forsteriana
Slow-growing palm from Lord Howe Island with arching feathered fronds; tolerant of low light and drought, popular and easy to grow as an indoor houseplant.
Lavender
IntermediateLavandula
Fragrant, drought-tolerant aromatic shrubs with silvery foliage and purple flower spikes; prefers full sun, lean well-drained soil, and good air circulation.
Lily (true lilies)
IntermediateLilium
Genus of bulbous perennial flowering plants known as true lilies, producing large, often fragrant, showy flowers in a wide range of colors; commonly grown in temperate gardens.
Lobelia
BeginnerLobelia
Herbaceous annuals and perennials with showy tubular blue, red, or white flowers; popular in borders and containers. Prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial sun.
Marigold (Tagetes)
BeginnerTagetes spp.
Easy, fast-growing annuals with aromatic foliage and bright yellow-orange composite flowers; popular in borders, containers, and as pest-repellent companion plants.
Money tree (Malabar chestnut)
BeginnerPachira aquatica
Tropical evergreen tree commonly grown as an indoor 'money tree'; noted for braided trunks and edible seeds. Prefers bright, indirect light, moderate watering, and well-draining soil.
Moth orchid
BeginnerPhalaenopsis spp.
Popular epiphytic orchid (moth orchid) prized for long-lasting blooms; prefers bright, indirect light, moderate humidity, and well-draining orchid mix.
Parlor palm
BeginnerChamaedorea elegans
Small, slow-growing tropical palm grown indoors for graceful feathery fronds; tolerant of low light and moderate humidity, making it a popular houseplant.
peace lily
BeginnerSpathiphyllum wallisii
Evergreen tropical houseplant with glossy leaves and white spathes; commonly called the peace lily, tolerant of low light and easy to grow.
pelargonium (commonly called geranium)
BeginnerPelargonium
Genus of flowering plants in the Geraniaceae family, commonly called pelargoniums or geraniums; popular, easy-to-grow ornamentals with clustered showy flowers and scented foliage.
Peony
IntermediatePaeonia
Herbaceous or tree perennial with large, often fragrant blooms in late spring; includes hardy temperate species valued for long-lived, showy flowers and cut blooms.
Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria)
IntermediateAlstroemeria spp.
Clump-forming perennial with lily-like, freckled blooms in many colors; prized as a long-lasting cut flower; prefers cool roots, moist well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
Petunia
BeginnerPetunia × atkinsiana (syn. Petunia × hybrida)
Showy, trumpet-shaped annual bedding plant with vibrant blooms in many colors; prefers full sun, well-drained soil, regular watering and deadheading.
Philodendron
BeginnerPhilodendron spp.
A diverse genus of tropical aroids (Araceae) with climbing and non-climbing species, popular as easy indoor houseplants with heart-shaped to lobed leaves.
poppy
BeginnerPapaver
Herbaceous flowering plants known as poppies, often annual or perennial, with large colorful cup-shaped flowers and lobed leaves; grown as ornamentals and for seed/latex.
prayer plant (white-veined prayer plant)
IntermediateMaranta leuconeura
Tropical perennial with patterned oval leaves that fold at night (the 'prayer' movement). Grown as a houseplant; prefers bright indirect light, high humidity, and evenly moist soil.
Prickly pear
BeginnerOpuntia
Genus of cacti known as prickly pears, with flat pad-like stems (cladodes), spines and edible fruits. Drought-tolerant, sun-loving succulents used ornamentally and for food.
Purple coneflower
BeginnerEchinacea purpurea
Herbaceous North American perennial with pink to purple daisy-like petals and a prominent cone-shaped center; drought-tolerant, attracts pollinators and easy to grow in full sun.
Purple shamrock
BeginnerOxalis triangularis
Perennial houseplant with distinctive purple, triangular clover-like leaves and delicate pink or white flowers; grown from bulbs/rhizomes for ornamental foliage.
rose
IntermediateRosa
Genus of woody, often thorny flowering shrubs known as roses, prized for fragrant, layered blooms in many colors; widely cultivated as ornamental and cut-flower plants.
Sage (Salvia)
BeginnerSalvia
A diverse genus of aromatic flowering plants in the mint family, including culinary sage and ornamental salvias; typically herbaceous perennials or subshrubs valued for flowers and pollinator attraction.
Snapdragon
BeginnerAntirrhinum majus
A popular ornamental snapdragon with bilabiate tubular flowers in many colors; typically grown as an annual or short-lived perennial for borders, beds, and containers.
Snowdrop
BeginnerGalanthus nivalis
A small, early-spring bulbous perennial with nodding white bell-shaped flowers and narrow green leaves; hardy and readily naturalizes in temperate shade to part-shade.
Spider plant (also called airplane plant)
BeginnerChlorophytum comosum
Easy, adaptable perennial houseplant with arching green or variegated leaves; produces cascading plantlets on long stems and tolerates a range of light and watering conditions.
string of needles
BeginnerCeropegia linearis
Trailing tuberous succulent vine with narrow linear leaves and small tubular, lantern-like flowers; drought-tolerant and prefers bright light and well-draining soil.
Sweet pea
IntermediateLathyrus odoratus
Fragrant annual climber grown for scented, colorful pea-like flowers. Pinnate leaves with tendrils; prefers cool seasons, full sun to part shade and well-drained soil.
Swiss cheese plant
BeginnerMonstera deliciosa
A tropical aroid with large glossy, fenestrated leaves; popular indoor vining houseplant known as the Swiss cheese plant, native to Central America.
Tulip
BeginnerTulipa
Spring-flowering bulbous perennials with showy cup-shaped flowers in many colors; grown from bulbs, prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and require a cold dormant period to bloom.
Violet (pansy)
BeginnerViola spp.
Compact herbaceous plants (violets and pansies) with colorful, often edible flowers; commonly used in borders, containers, and groundcover; prefers cool seasons and partial sun.
Wax plant (porcelain flower)
BeginnerHoya carnosa
Evergreen, trailing epiphytic vine with thick, waxy leaves and clusters of fragrant star-shaped flowers; a popular, easy houseplant that tolerates bright indirect light and occasional drought.
Weeping fig (Benjamin fig)
IntermediateFicus benjamina
Evergreen tropical tree often grown indoors for its glossy, teardrop leaves; popular but sensitive to light, drafts and relocation, which can cause leaf drop.
Zinnia
BeginnerZinnia elegans
Easy-to-grow annual with bright, daisy-like blooms in many colors; attracts pollinators and thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
ZZ plant (Zanzibar Gem)
BeginnerZamioculcas zamiifolia
Evergreen, rhizomatous perennial with glossy pinnate leaves; very tolerant of low light and drought, a popular easy indoor houseplant.
Caring for Succulents Plants
Unlock the secrets to happy, healthy succulents plants. Our guides offer simple tips on watering, light, and humidity to help your plant friends flourish.
Aloe vera
BeginnerAloe vera (syn. Aloe barbadensis Miller)
Stemless succulent with rosette of fleshy, serrated leaves containing medicinal gel; drought-tolerant, prefers bright light and well-draining soil, very easy to grow indoors.
Flaming Katy (Florist Kalanchoe, Christmas Kalanchoe)
BeginnerKalanchoe blossfeldiana
Compact evergreen succulent with glossy scalloped leaves and dense clusters of long-lasting tubular flowers, popular as a flowering houseplant.
Hens and chicks
BeginnerEcheveria spp.
Rosette-forming succulent native to Mexico and Central America; prized for fleshy, colorful leaves and compact growth. Prefers bright light and well-draining soil; drought-tolerant.
Jade plant (money plant)
BeginnerCrassula ovata
A popular, easy-care succulent shrub with glossy, fleshy leaves and woody stems; commonly grown as a houseplant or bonsai, tolerant of drought and bright light.
snake plant (mother-in-law's tongue)
BeginnerDracaena trifasciata
Evergreen perennial with stiff, upright sword-shaped leaves often variegated; drought- and low-light-tolerant succulent houseplant, popular for easy indoor care.
string of pearls
BeginnerSenecio rowleyanus
Trailing succulent with spherical, bead-like leaves resembling peas; popular in hanging baskets, drought-tolerant, prefers bright light and well-draining soil.
Caring for Tropical Houseplants
Unlock the secrets to happy, healthy tropical houseplants plants. Our guides offer simple tips on watering, light, and humidity to help your plant friends flourish.
Anthurium (flamingo flower, tailflower)
IntermediateAnthurium
Tropical evergreen genus prized for glossy foliage and colorful waxy spathes; prefers bright, indirect light, warm temperatures, and high humidity.
Begonia
IntermediateBegonia spp.
A diverse genus of tropical, flowering perennials grown for ornamental foliage and blooms; includes wax, rex, cane and tuberous types for indoor and outdoor culture.
bromeliads
BeginnerBromeliaceae
Tropical family of mostly epiphytic or terrestrial rosette plants, including air plants and colorful flowering bromeliads prized for striking foliage and bracts.
Calathea (prayer plant)
IntermediateCalathea spp. (many species now reclassified to Goeppertia)
Tropical, foliage-focused houseplant with striking patterned leaves; prefers bright indirect light, high humidity, and evenly moist, well-draining soil.
Dragon tree / Corn plant
BeginnerDracaena
Genus of tropical woody perennial houseplants with strap-like leaves. Includes popular species (D. marginata, D. fragrans); tolerant of low light and moderate watering.
Dumb cane
BeginnerDieffenbachia seguine
Tropical evergreen houseplant with large variegated leaves, commonly called dumb cane; popular ornamental plant; toxic if ingested.
Rubber plant
BeginnerFicus elastica
Evergreen tropical tree commonly grown as a houseplant with glossy, leathery oval leaves; adaptable and low-maintenance, prefers bright indirect light and moderate watering.
umbrella tree (octopus tree, Australian umbrella tree)
BeginnerSchefflera actinophylla
Tropical evergreen tree with glossy palmate compound leaves, commonly grown as an easy indoor/outdoor ornamental; can become large and invasive in some regions.
Caring for Vining Houseplants
Unlock the secrets to happy, healthy your vining houseplants. Our guides offer simple tips on watering, light, and humidity to help your plant friends flourish.
