The Houseplants You'll Keep Alive
and how you'll do it, including my rules of thumb
Listen, I am not a plant expert. I love them and I do tend to keep my hordes of houseplants alive, but I think I have luck with plants because I am, for the most part, really observant. It’s also what makes me good at what I do for a living.
I get some dismissive comments every basil season (which will very soon be upon us!!) implying that mine turns into a skyscraper only because it loves living under a glass roof. And sure, lighting has a lot to do with keeping basil and all houseplants happy, but I know from years of experience without one, that a glass roof is not necessary. It’s the same with basil and all the houseplants I’ve managed to find my groove with: there’s some trial and error, there’s learning what works for your particular spaces, and there’s also just paying attention.
I pay so much attention to what goes on in my house. (Less so to other things that probably desperately need my attention.) This can be a negative for my kids, but my plants really benefit from my vigilance. By noticing when a plant looks sad (droopy or yellowing leaves, for example), and noticing what else might be going on (bone-dry soil, over-wet soil, too much light, not enough light, nutrient-poor soil) you can often trial and error your way to a happy plant.
People often ask if I have a watering schedule. I do not. But I’ve attempted to pay attention to my plant-related habits so I can share them and explain which houseplants like what, which will forgive you, and how specifically I keep my (probably 40+) houseplants alive.
Spring is an excellent time to get new houseplants going; even indoor plants know what season it is and spring and summer are the growing season. So if you’ve been contemplating some new houseplants, now is a wonderful time to get them situated for a long and happy life.
My comprehensive guide to plant pots, including the why and the where, is here.
Here are the general houseplant rules you’ll want to keep in mind:
