An easy reference to keep your houseplants alive.
How much light and water do plants need? Can you have plants if you don’t have a lot of windows? How big will our plant get?
Our house has plenty of natural light, but there was still a learning curve when it came to figuring out where to put our plants and when to water them. It has taken some trial and error, but we finally have thriving plants.
Tip: Use your Alexa devices or cell phone to set reminders so you do not forget to water. A great rule of “thumb” is to stick your fingers 1-1/2″ to 2″ down into the soil to check for dryness.
We typically purchase our house plants at a local nursery, which can be a little pricey, but worth it for the quality of their plants. I have also found some of our more tolerant plants, like the Pothos and Snake Plant, at Lowe’s and Home Depot.
Below is a general guide for some popular house plants, with pictures of our actual plants.
ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Light: Medium Indirect light and can tolerate bright indirect light, but may need more water.
Water: Every 1 – 2 weeks
Size: Can grow to 3-4ft tall
Care: Very tolerant to lower light conditions. This plant is easy to care for and has beautiful shiny leaves. ZZ Plants can me poisonous to pets if eaten.
Monstera
Light: Medium to bright indirect sunlight.
Water: Every 1 – 2 weeks. Let top inch of soil dry between watering.
Size: Can grow to 10 feet tall in tropical environments!
Care: Prefers more humid climates, but can tolerate normal house conditions. The holes in the leaves represent good health.
