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Peace lily is one of the friendliest houseplants for beginners: it tells you when it is thirsty, forgives missed waterings, and flowers indoors without a fuss. Here is how to keep yours green, glossy and blooming. How much light does a peace lily need? Peace lilies like bright, indirect light. An east-facing window or a spot a few feet from a south window works well. They tolerate low light, but they bloom less there. Keep them out of harsh afternoon sun, which scorches the leaves. How often should you water a peace lily? Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, roughly once a week. Peace lilies droop dramatically when thirsty, which makes them easy to read: a drooping plant usually perks up within hours of watering. Do not let the pot sit in standing water, since wet roots rot quickly. Why are the leaf tips turning brown? Brown tips are usually a water quality or humidity issue, not a disease: Tap water with chlorine or fluoride can brown the tips. Use filtered water, or lea...

Pothos is one of the easiest houseplants to start with. It trails, it forgives missed waterings, and it grows in many homes. This guide covers light, water, common problems and pet safety. Last verified: October 16, 2026. Quick answer: Give pothos bright, indirect light, water when the top inch or so of soil feels dry, and use a pot with drainage holes. Keep it away from cats and dogs, because the ASPCA lists it as toxic to both. How much light does a pothos need? Bright, indirect light is best. A spot near a window with a sheer curtain works well. Pothos can live in lower light, but growth slows and the leaves may look smaller and darker. Harsh direct sun can scorch the leaves. How often should you water a pothos? Check the soil instead of following a calendar. Push a finger into the soil and water when the top inch or so is dry. Water until it runs out of the drainage hole, then empty the saucer. Soil that stays wet for long is the most common way beginners lose this plant. Wh...

The ZZ plant ( Zamioculcas zamiifolia ) is a great pick if you forget to water or your home is a bit dim. It has thick, shiny leaves, grows slowly, and handles neglect better than most houseplants. Here is a simple guide, based on university extension advice. Pet note: Clemson Extension lists the ZZ plant as not pet safe. Keep it out of reach of cats, dogs and small children. See our pet-safe plant list for safer choices. Quick ZZ plant care facts Light: bright, indirect light to low light. Avoid full sun. Water: only after the soil has dried out completely. Clemson Extension suggests about once or twice a month. Temperature: normal indoor temperatures. Keep it above 60°F (about 16°C). Soil: a coarse, well-draining mix. Size: usually 2 to 4 feet tall, and it grows slowly. What light does a ZZ plant need? ZZ plants survive in low light, so they suit offices and darker rooms. Bright, indirect light speeds up their very slow growth. Put it anywhere except in full...

The spider plant ( Chlorophytum comosum ) is one of the easiest houseplants to keep happy. It grows fast, forgives missed waterings, and it even makes baby plants for free. Here is a simple beginner guide, including how to stop those brown leaf tips. Pet note: The ASPCA lists the spider plant as non-toxic to cats and dogs. If you have pets, it is on my pet-safe plant list too. Quick spider plant care facts Light: bright, indirect light. It tolerates medium light but grows best with more. Water: when the top inch or two of soil is dry. Water well, then let the extra drain out. Temperature: normal room temperatures. Keep it away from cold drafts and frost. Soil: regular, well draining potting mix. Pot: any pot with drainage holes. A hanging basket shows off the baby plants. Where to put a spider plant A spot near an east or north facing window works well. Strong afternoon sun can scorch the leaves and fade the stripes. If the white stripes on the leaves look dull, the ...

Monstera deliciosa, the "Swiss cheese plant," gives a room a jungle feel. It is easy once you understand what it likes: bright light, a good soaking, and a chance to dry out in between. Here is a simple beginner guide. Pet note: Monstera is listed as toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. Keep it out of reach, or pick a safe option from my pet-safe list . Quick monstera care facts Light: bright, indirect light. A few feet from a bright window is ideal. Water: when the top 2 inches of soil are dry, usually every 1 to 2 weeks. Temperature: 65 to 85 F. Protect from cold drafts below 55 F. Humidity: average home humidity is fine. A little extra is a bonus. Soil: chunky and well draining, such as potting mix with orchid bark and perlite. Light and the famous holes New leaves are solid and heart-shaped. The splits and holes (called fenestrations) develop as the plant matures and gets enough light. If your plant has small leaves with no splits, it probably needs more...

The snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata, also called Sansevieria or mother-in-law's tongue) is a favorite for beginners. It survives low light, dry air and the occasional forgotten watering. Here is how to keep one looking sharp. Pet note: The ASPCA lists snake plant as toxic to cats and dogs if chewed. Keep it out of reach, or see my pet-safe plant list . Quick snake plant care facts Light: tolerates low light, grows best in medium to bright indirect light. Water: every 2 to 3 weeks in summer, about once a month in winter. Let the soil dry out fully. Temperature: 60 to 85 F. Keep it away from cold drafts below 50 F. Soil: fast-draining, such as cactus or succulent mix. Pot: always with a drainage hole. Terracotta is a good choice. Watering without rotting it Snake plants store water in their leaves, so too much water is the main danger. Push a finger deep into the soil. If it is damp, wait. Water thoroughly, let it drain, and never leave it sitting in a saucer of w...

When the days get shorter and the heat comes on, indoor plants slow down. A few simple changes keep them healthy until spring. Here is the winter routine I follow for common houseplants in a typical US home. 1. Water less Plants grow slowly in winter, so they use less water. Overwatering is the top winter killer. Check the soil with your finger and water only when the top 1 to 2 inches are dry (for succulents and snake plants, let it dry further). That may mean every 2 to 3 weeks instead of weekly. Use room-temperature water, never ice cold. 2. Give them the best light Winter sun is weaker and lower. Move plants closer to a south or west facing window, and wipe dust off leaves so they can absorb more light. If your home is dark, a simple full-spectrum grow light on a timer for 10 to 12 hours a day can help. 3. Avoid cold drafts and heaters Most tropical houseplants want temperatures above about 55 to 60 F, and they suffer below 50 F. Keep leaves from touching cold window glass o...

If you share your home with a cat or dog, plant shopping gets stressful fast. Many popular houseplants can make pets sick if chewed. This list covers easy plants that the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs, so you can decorate without worrying as much. Important: "non-toxic" does not mean "good to eat." A pet that chews a lot of any plant can still get an upset stomach. Always check the plant's exact name in the ASPCA database before you buy. Easy pet-safe houseplants Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) Nearly impossible to kill. It likes bright, indirect light and drying out a bit between waterings. The hanging "babies" are fun for cats, so hang it up high. Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) A soft, tropical look that handles low to medium light. Keep the soil lightly moist, never soggy. Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) Loves humidity, so a bathroom with a window is perfect. Keep the soil evenly damp and out of hot, dry drafts. Cala...

Yellow leaves are the number one reason people write "help, is my plant dying?" The good news: a yellow leaf is a signal, not a death sentence. Most of the time the cause is simple to find and fix. This guide walks you through the most common reasons, in the order I would check them. Start with a quick check Before you change anything, look at three things: which leaves are yellow (old bottom leaves or new top leaves), how wet the soil is, and how much light the plant gets. Those three clues point to the cause almost every time. Push a finger 2 inches into the soil. Soggy or cold means too much water. Bone dry and pulling away from the pot means too little. Check the drainage hole. If the pot has none, water sits at the bottom and roots suffocate. Look under the leaves for tiny webs, bumps or sticky spots, which mean pests. 1. Overwatering (the most common cause) Soft, yellow leaves, often starting at the bottom, plus soil that stays wet for days, usually means o...

If you want one houseplant that forgives mistakes, pick a pothos. It grows in low light, bounces back from dry spells, and looks great in a hanging pot, on a shelf, or climbing a wall. This guide covers everything you need to keep one healthy, in simple steps. Pet safety note: Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is listed as toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. If you have pets that chew plants, keep it out of reach or choose a pet-safe plant instead. Quick pothos care facts Light: medium to bright indirect light. Tolerates low light. Water: when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feel dry. Temperature: 65 to 85 F. Keep away from cold drafts below 50 F. Soil: well-draining potting mix. Fertilizer: every 4 to 8 weeks in spring and summer, if you like. Difficulty: very easy. 1. Light: bright but not burning Pothos grows best in bright, indirect light. That means a spot near a window where the sun does not hit the leaves directly for hours. A few feet back from an east or north window works wel...