Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' pictured below

Sometimes the most amazing looking houseplants can suddenly deteriorate when you bring them home. It's not inevitable, you keep that plant-store-showroom look all over your home. Let's talk best practices for houseplant care so you can transform your plant nook into a gorgeous space, making your greenery the talk of the block with these 15 pro tips.

Houseplants are not just decor; they are living allies that purify air, boost mood, and connect us to nature. Yet, many of us face the heartbreak of a dying Fiddle-Leaf Fig or leggy String of Hearts shortly after purchase. The culprit? A mismatch between the plant's needs and our home environments, or skipping key best practices in transition care. These are the things I wish I’d been taught when I started out with my first orchids I killed. So fear not. With these pro tips, drawn from years of hands-on experience, a lot of dead plants in my rearview mirror, you can cultivate enviable houseplants that flourish year-round and avoid my past learning-curve failures.

How to Turn your windowsills into showcases of vitality.

1. Buy a plant that matches the light you already have in your home. Light is the foundation of photosynthesis, the process that fuels growth and nutrient density in leaves. Check the tag or Google the light requirements before buying. If your space offers a sunny spot, aim for plants thriving in bright indirect light, like a monstera or philodendron. This simple match prevents the stress that leads to yellowing or stretching, ensuring your houseplant stays vibrant from day one. If your home isn't bright enough, grow lights work GREAT. They're not purple heat generators anymore. LED versions are cool and come in a range of colors and forms that look just like any other light in your home. 

   
   

2. Buy something that you love the look of. In the world of houseplants, variety sparks joy and commitment. Browse Etsy or Facebook Marketplace to explore options, then Google images of mature specimens. Some have enormous leaves. A hanging plant might trail elegantly but become gangly if unsupported without light from above. A monstera's leaves may split dramatically as it ages, adding drama. Philodendrons come in stunning variety of sizes and colors. Choosing a form that delights you encourages consistent care, turning your home into a personalized botanical gallery.

   
   
   
   

   

   Two young Philodendrons: Billietiae (left) and Golden Crocodile (right)
   

3. Read about the watering and feeding schedule, and follow it. Every houseplant has unique rhythms, influenced by soil, weather, and environmental factors. Organic gardening teaches us that overwatering drowns roots, starving them of oxygen, while underwatering depletes nutrients. Consult reliable sources for species-specific advice, and adjust for your climate. This proactive approach builds your skill as you will rely more on observing and responding to natural cues.

   
   
   
   

4. Get comfortable sticking your finger into the dirt an inch or more down, to detect moisture, not just looking at the soil or the calendar. Surface soil can deceive; true hydration hides deeper. This tactile method, a pro tip from soil scientists, reveals if roots are parched or saturated. For precision, invest in a moisture meter. It empowers you to mimic the balanced moisture cycles of natural ecosystems, promoting deep root growth and lush foliage.

   
   
   
   

5. Hanging plants don't have to hang and get gangly with leaves getting smaller. They can be put in a pot and allowed to crawl up on a trellis. Many hanging plants actually prefer to climb. Hawaiian Pothos, for example, responds to upward growth on a trellis by producing larger leaves, a phenomenon rooted in their vining nature. Nature celebrates adaptive forms. When you provide support, watch your trailing beauties climb toward light, creating a fuller, more impressive display that neighbors will admire.

   
   
   
   

6. Plan for the mature size of the plant. Just like selecting a pet, consider the endgame. Some houseplants, like a Rojo Congo philodendron, balloon into dark maroon statement pieces. Research your plant’s growth habits to ensure space, perhaps starting small and pruning to shape to encourage fullness instead of gangly crawling. This foresight will allow your plant to evolve without overwhelming your space, rewarding you with a majestic presence over time.

   
   
   
   

   My giant beloved Philodendron Rojo Congo (Below)

   

   
   

7. You (usually) get what you pay for. Glorious, jaw-dropping foliage often reflects quality propagation and care at purchase. For a huge showy specimen, budget accordingly, or nurture a baby plant yourself. Raising from small cuttings fosters a bond, akin to soil regeneration where patient inputs yield nutrient-rich results. Sure there are trends and you can pay through the nose for the latest greatest variety, but that's up to you. Either way, invest in health, and your houseplant will repay with enduring beauty.

   
   

8. Stay away from plants with mostly white leaves. Sure, they look stunning, but they are doomed. Let them die in someone else’s home. Chlorophyll, the green pigment essential for energy production, is vital for vigor. All-white varieties lack it, leading to weak growth and inevitable decline. As a rule, variegated plants need more sunshine than all green ones for this reason. Variegated leaves, with streaks of white, offer striking contrast without the risk. Make sure the leaves are at least 50% green. This biology-based pro tip saves heartache and money, steering you toward sustainable, long-lived choices. If you want color, look at Aglaonemas.

   
   

9. Closely inspect any plant before purchasing. Look for spots, holes, webs, fuzz, sticky sap, discoloration, or bugs. Scrutinize nooks, crannies, and leaf undersides. Pests and diseases spread quickly in home settings, but early detection prevents outbreaks. Think of this as preventive harmony and biosecurity: a healthy start ensures your houseplant integrates seamlessly into your indoor ecosystem. No one needs thrips in their home.

   
   

10. Wipe down your new plant to clean its leaves. Dust and residues block light and harbor pests. A gentle wipe with a damp cloth revives vibrancy, improving photosynthesis. This simple ritual, inspired by organic gardening's clean slate approach, sets the tone for care and reveals any hidden issues promptly. Trim off any damaged spots or brown leaves so you will easily detect any new problems.

    
    

11. Ask Google if your plant is an Aroid. If it is, repot it into the right kind of special soil for that kind of plant. Aroids, such as anthuriums, monsteras, philodendrons, and alocasias (and many more) crave chunky aroid mix for aeration and drainage, not dense nursery soil. This shift mimics tropical forest floors, enhancing root health and nutrient uptake for denser foliage.

    
    

12. Do a full soil refresh if it’s an aroid. While you’re in there knocking pulling off the old soil, look for a 'death plug'. Google it, you'll be shocked. It's a little fibrous plug and even sometimes rockwool left over from propagation. Remove that bad boy off that and set the roots free! This constraint stunts growth and can slowly kill your plant; excising it is a must-do. Your houseplant will reward you with explosive, enviable growth. Pitch that old soil. It’s full of chemical fertilizer (you’ll likely see little green balls) and you don't want those chemicals in your home and on your skin every time you touch your plant anyway. Potting soil isn't always the right thing to use.  Repot in the right kind of soil, if it's an aroid, use a chunky aroid mix that includes inoculated biochar.

    
    

    Chunky aroid mix soil with biochar, supporting 'Black Pagoda' Lipstick Plant (below) 

    

    
    

13. Use a cachepot. Put your plant into whatever pot you want, but make sure it has good drainage in the bottom. To keep it looking amazing and spill-proof while reducing tipping hazards, place that whole plant, in its pot. inside a decorative, slightly bigger pot without holes. (cachepot) Never let water sit there, as it invites root rot and insect pests.

    
    

14. Get a good nontoxic certified organic fertilizer with living microbes. Read up on the feeding schedule, and stay on it after you learn what your plant likes. You want to encourage health without chemicals. Dilute as directed, and watch new leaves gleam with health as they unfurl.

    
    

15. Plants will lean toward light, so turn them. If it's on a windowsill, rotate so that it doesn't grow lopsided. This rotation ensures even exposure, promoting balanced form. A playful quarterly twirl keeps your houseplant photogenic from all angles, as would happen if it were growing in its natural conditions, seeking equilibrium.

    
    

    Bonus tip 1: Sometimes it's the right thing to leave certain pretty plants at the store because they will be too fussy and die anyway. Some plants need more ambient humidity than is comfortable for humans, narrowly specific temperatures, and very specific soil moisture. Among these are calatheas, marantas, and crotons. Don’t fall in love with their beautiful foliage unless you live in a humid climate and have a private gardener and a greenhouse. Trust me on this one.

    
    

    Bonus tip 2: Gather live moss and cover your plant's soil. It will do wonders for your watering regimen and plants' health. It will reduce the frequency of watering and keep moisture levels lower but more consistent. Plus it just looks amazing.  
    

These pro tips are more than maintenance; they are invitations to engage deeply with your green companions. In a world of quick fixes, patient care yields profound rewards: cleaner air, reduced stress, and a home that breathes life. Start small, observe, and adjust. Your houseplants will not only survive but thrive, becoming the envy of the neighborhood and a testament to your nurturing touch. Happy growing.