An easy guide to keep your house plants alive and thriving!
We typically purchase our house plants at a local nursery, which can be a bit higher in price, but worth 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 an easy guide to some popular houseplants along with pictures of the actual plants in my home.
Plant Tip: Set an alarm or Alexa device to remind you to water each week. Pick a day of the week where you are home and more likely to have time.
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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.
Monstera
Monstera deliciosa
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 climates!
Care: Prefers more humid climates, but can tolerate normal house conditions.
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
Light: Bright indirect sunlight, but is tolerant to lower light conditions.
Water: Every 1 – 2 weeks. Let the top inch of soil dry between watering.
Size: Vines can grow over 10 feet, but can be cut for propagation.
Care: Pothos are very tolerant and can survive in most house conditions. Allow soil to dry in between watering.
Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
Light: Moderate indirect sunlight, tolerant to low light conditions.
Water: Every 2-3 weeks. Very drought tolerant, species of succulent.
Size: Up to 4-5 feet. Slow growing.
Care: One of the most tolerant house plants. Be careful not to overwater.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Ficus lyrata
Light: Direct to bright indirect light. Place near a window.
Water: Once a week. Make sure soil feels dry between watering.
Size: 6+ feet once acclimated to environment.
Care: Needs a lot of sun, and keep away from drafty areas. Bottom leaves can drop as it grows, but if many leaves are dropping or turning brown reevaluate watering and placement.
Rubber Tree
Ficus elastica
Light: Medium to bright indirect light. this plant can also survive in bright direct light.
Water: Every 1-2 weeks depending on light. Allow to dry out between.
Size: Can get 10+ feet as a tropical plant, but smaller indoors as a house plant.
Care: Make sure the tree has enough light. Can be poisonous for pets and kids.
Norfolk Pine
Araucaria heterophylla
Light: Bright to medium indirect light. Can tolerate direct sun.
Water: Every 1 to 2 weeks. Feel the soil 2 inches down to test for dryness. Watch for yellow needles.
Size: 3 to 8 feet indoors
Care: Norfolk Pine are drought tolerant. They can be moved outdoors for direct sun in the summer months
Ficus Tree
Ficus benjamina
Light: Medium to bright indirect light
Water: Once a week. Make sure soil feels dry.
Size: 6+ feet once acclimated to environment
Care: Keep away from drafty areas. This plant can be finicky to move or repot. Drops leaves in the winter season. Ficus do better in higher humidity, but can be maintained with proper watering and light.
Houseplants can seem intimidating at first, but caring for plants is pretty basic stuff (Water + Sun). We also like to add houseplant fertilizer to our larger plants (linked below) about once a month. Pay attention to each plants needs and environment and your plants will be thriving in no time!
My favorite finds for watering and plant health: