Potted plants and lush green foliage flourish under bright sunlight within a greenhouse, surrounded by trees and vines.

Plant Care

Expert Tips for Growing Healthy & Thriving Plants

A potted African violet with vibrant purple flowers and green leaves sits in a terracotta pot against a plain white background.

African Violet

Bright, indirect light; no direct sunlight.

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A seashell with a green air plant growing inside rests on a weathered wooden surface.

Air Plant

Bright, indirect light in warm, humid conditions.

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A potted Alocasia with large, dark green leaves displaying prominent white veins sits on a windowsill, with a blurred outdoor view in the background.

Alocasia

Bright, indirect light, consistently moist soil

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Aloe vera plant with thick, spiky green leaves, growing upright in a gray pot filled with soil.

Aloe

Bright, indirect sunlight, water every 2-3 weeks

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Bright red and white striped amaryllis flowers bloom in clusters, set against a blurred garden background, highlighting their vibrant petals and green stems.

Amaryllis

Bright, indirect light, keep evenly moist

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Cluster of vibrant red anthurium flowers with yellow and green spadices, growing amidst green foliage in a garden setting.

Anthurium

Bright, indirect or filtered light and moist soil.

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Pink-flowered potted azaela sitting on a white table in a modern, decorated room with a patterned wall in the background.

Azalea

Bright, indirect light; no direct sunlight.

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A cluster of vibrant pink and orange begonias, surrounded by lush green leaves, blooms against a plain white background.

Begonia

Bright, indirect light in the morning and shade in the afternoon.

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A lush green fern sits in a white ceramic pot on a striped black-and-white tablecloth against a plain white background.

Bird's Nest Fern

Medium to bright, indirect light, maintain consistently moist but not wet soil.

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A small bonsai tree sits in a round black pot; its intricate branches and dense, green foliage are placed on a wooden surface.

Bonsai Tree

4-6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight per day

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A vibrant red bromeliad flower with glossy petals blooms in the foreground, surrounded by green foliage in a lush, natural setting.

Bromeliad

Bright, indirect light with frequent misting.

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Three small, spiky cacti are potted in a shallow ceramic container, resting on pebbles, against a rustic wooden background.

Cactus

Bright, direct sunlight, water thoroughly but infrequently

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A calathea with broad, green variegated leaves with white and dark green stripes overlap closely in a dense arrangement, creating a lush, vibrant foliage display.

Calathea

Bright, indirect light, consistently moist soil

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Dense cluster of yellow and white flowers blooming on leafy green branches, set against a blurred background of foliage.

China Doll Plant

Bright, indirect light, consistently moist but not waterlogged

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A cluster of vibrant variegated leaves with white and green patterns intermingling with solid green and pink-edged leaves, set among assorted foliage.

Chinese Evergreen

Moderate to low light, dry out between waterings

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Pink chrysanthemums bloom densely, with numerous layered petals radiating outward, set against a backdrop of additional flowers and green foliage in a garden.

Chrysanthemum

Bright, indirect sunlight, consistently moist soil

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Bright yellow and red variegated leaves of a tropical croton plant bask in sunlight amidst a background of lush green foliage.

Croton Plant

Bright, indirect light, dry out slightly between waterings

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Pink and white cyclamen flowers are blooming on thin stems, surrounded by green leaves under soft sunlight, creating a lush garden scene.

Cyclamen

Bright, indirect light, evenly moist but not waterlogged

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Cluster of bright yellow daffodils grouped together, showing petals and central trumpets, creating a vibrant, cheerful display of fresh flowers.

Daffodil

Bright, indirect sunlight, water regularly

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Dendrobium Orchid

Bright, indirect light away from afternoon sunlight.

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A glass bowl houses a succulent garden with various plants and a mix of white stones and moss, set on a white surface with another similar bowl nearby.

Dish Garden

Bright, indirect sunlight away from cold drafts or direct heat.

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A lush, green indoor dracaena plant with long, pointed leaves stands against a plain, gray background.

Dracaena

Bright, indirect light, thoroughly soak when soil has dried out.

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A white lily flower blooms with orange stamen, surrounded by green leaves and budding flowers in a garden setting.

Easter Lily

Bright, indirect light, consistently moist soil

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A potted ivy plant hangs by orange ropes, cascading with green leaves, next to a modern balcony railing overlooking a blurred urban scene filled with light and greenery.

English Ivy

Bright, indirect light, dry out between waterings

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A lush fern sits in a woven basket on a light wooden table, surrounded by other green plants near a sunlit window.

Fern

Bright, indirect light, consistently moist soil

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A ficus plant with dark green leaves sits in a decorative pot filled with small stones, placed between two beige chairs in a light-colored room.

Ficus Plant

Bright, indirect light, dry out slightly between waterings

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Large, glossy green leaves with prominent veins are grouped together, set against a dark, textured background, suggesting a plant in an indoor setting.

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Bright, indirect light, dry out slightly between waterings

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Hoya Plant

Bright, indirect or filtered sunlight, water sparingly

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Purple and blue hydrangea flowers, blooming abundantly, surrounded by lush green leaves.

Hydrangea

Bright, indirect light, consistently moist soil

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A Kalanchoe with clusters of bright orange flowers blossom amid green foliage, forming a vivid and lively display in the natural garden setting.

Kalanchoe

Full, direct sunlight on a balcony or sunny windowsill.

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A green succulent plant with thick, glossy oval leaves, some with red-tinged edges, growing in a close-up garden setting.

Jade Plant

Bright, indirect light, dry out slightly between waterings

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A Maidenhair Fern with Dew-covered green leaves hang from slender stems, glistening with water droplets, in a lush, natural setting.

Maidenhair Fern

Bright, indirect light, consistently moist but not waterlogged

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A lush green money tree plant sits in a white pot with clay pebbles, placed in a brightly lit modern room with gray walls and a window on the left.

Money Tree

Bright, indirect light, dry out slightly between waterings

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A neanth bella palm plant with long, narrow green leaves standing upright, situated indoors with a blurred, pale background.

Neanthe Bella Palm

Bright, indirect light, consistently moist soil

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Green leafy nephithytis ivy with variegated leaves sits in a woven basket; placed indoors with blurred greenery in the background.

Nephithytis Ivy

Bright, indirect light, consistently moist soil

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A white orchid with maroon spots blooms amidst green leaves in natural sunlight.

Oncidium Orchid

Bright light, particularly in the morning, with water every 2-10 days.

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Green palm leaves are illuminated by sunlight, casting shadows and creating a pattern. The pale background highlights the vibrant, long, slender leaves, creating a lush, tropical feel.

Parlour Palm

Limited, natural light with evenly moist soil

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A white peace lily flower with a yellow spadix in bloom, surrounded by large green leaves in a well-lit room.

Peace Lily

Bright, indirect light, water thoroughly when top half of soil is dry.

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Two vibrant pink orchids with white speckles bloom, their delicate petals unfurling in a neutral indoor setting with blurred background elements.

Phalaenopsis Orchid

Medium to bright indirect light, water every 7-10 days

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Hands are arranging vibrant red poinsettia leaves; nearby, a wrapped gift box with a white ribbon sits on a wooden surface alongside other festive decorations.

Poinsettia

Lighting and watering instructions differ depending upon the time of year.

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A leafy green pothos plant sits in a textured, gray pot placed on a light-colored surface near a white curtain and a light gray wall.

Pothos

Bright, indirect light to medium light, water thoroughly and allow to dry.

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A vibrant green Prayer Plant plant with pink-streaked leaves sits in a white pot, positioned indoors with a soft, blurred background.

Prayer Plant

Bright, indirect light to medium light, water thoroughly and allow to dry.

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Green leaves with multiple leaflets growing in clusters, appearing vibrant and healthy under natural light, surrounded by other foliage in a lush, thriving garden environment.

Schefflera Arboricola

Bright, indirect light, dry out between waterings

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A snake plant in a white pot is placed on a light wooden table by a window, with a pineapple and sheer curtains in the background.

Snake Plant

Bright, indirect light, water thoroughly and allow soil to dry out in between.

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A close-up view of lush, green Split Leaf Philodendron leaves, showcasing their distinctive deep cuts and perforations. The glossy leaves overlap each other, creating a vibrant, tropical feel with their rich texture and intricate patterns. The lighting highlights the natural shine and healthy appearance of the foliage, capturing the plant's exotic beauty.

Split-Leaf Philodendron

Bright, indirect light, dry out slightly between waterings

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Stromanthe Triostar

Bright, indirect light, use filtered water for moist, not waterlogged, soil.

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Close-up view of various succulents with vibrant green, purple, and blue hues, arranged densely together, displaying diverse leaf shapes and textures in natural sunlight.

Succulent

Bright, indirect light, dry out between waterings

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This image features a close-up of a Swiss cheese plant (Monstera adansonii). The focal point is a vibrant green leaf with distinctive oval-shaped holes, which give the plant its common name. The leaf's texture is smooth and glossy, and the plant is set against a blurred background of other similar foliage.

Swiss Cheese Plant

Bright, indirect light, dry out slightly between waterings

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A vibrant red tulip stands upright, with delicate petals partially open, surrounded by a field of blurred red tulips and green stems in soft, natural light.

Tulip Bulb

Bright, indirect sunlight, evenly moist but not waterlogged

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Green Zygo Cactus with budding red-tipped leaves, situated in a soft-focus indoor environment with a bokeh effect.

Zygo Cactus

Bright, indirect light, dry out slightly between waterings

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A green leafy Zanzibar Gem plant grows in a round, gray pot set on a concrete surface. The dense foliage consists of broad, waxy leaves with varying shades of green.

ZZ Plant

Bright, indirect sunlight, water once every two weeks.

Full Care Instructions
Two different varieties of house plants soak in the sun from a bright windowsill

Where to Put Your Houseplant for Optimum Growth

Light is essential to plants -- it causes the reaction of photosynthesis to occur, which provides the plant with sugar (energy) so it can grow. Think of light as food for your plants; when they receive adequate amounts of light, they will grow. If they don't, they won't. Some plants can survive in low-lighting conditions but will not likely flourish and grow like others that receive more light. This doesn't mean you should give your plants as much direct sunlight as possible. Except for succulents, which prefer direct sun, most plants thrive when they receive bright, indirect light for at least 4-6 hours a day.

A single potted plant in a warm, diffused beam of sunlight

What Is Bright, Indirect Light?

Bright, indirect light is veiled (or dappled) light. It is sunlight that is either filtered through outside trees/leaves or a sheer curtain. A plant in this type of light receives little to no direct sun. The best time of day to determine the type of light your plant is getting is when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. Keep in mind that the sun's position (and strength of its rays) changes throughout the day based on the time and season. Also, morning light is softer and more gentle than afternoon light. Be mindful of the changing light throughout the year and move your plants accordingly.

The vines of a happy house plant climb the walls around a set of framed pictures

Signs Your Plant Is Getting Too Much or Not Enough Light

Refer to the instruction card that comes with your plant for guidance on the type of lighting condition it needs. Find a place in your home with the proper lighting, and then observe its growth or lack thereof. Look for signs your plant gives you about its lighting condition. Dropped leaves, yellowing leaves, or long spindly stems indicate the plant is not receiving enough light. Leaves that have become brittle, dry, pale, or marked with brown spots, indicate your plant is getting too much sun and needs to be moved further away from its light source. If your plant appears green, lush, healthy, and growing, then it's in ideal lighting conditions. Note: A plant's growth slows or stops completely during the winter months. Growing will resume during the spring and summer.

Watering Your Plant

Besides light, your plant also requires water to keep it lush and thriving. Water keeps plants cool and provides them with structural support. As a plant's cells absorb water, they become plump and firm, which gives the plant a thick, sturdy shape. Water also shifts the minerals in the soil closer to the roots so they can be absorbed by them. When a plant doesn't receive enough water, its cells deflate, resulting in droopiness and wilted stems. In most cases, a good watering will make the plant bounce right back. It's important not to overwater the plant, though, which can lead to root rot. Make sure the plant's container has adequate drainage to prevent it from sitting in standing water.

Knowing When & How Much to Water Your Plant

Some plants, like ferns and peace lilies, prefer evenly-moist soil at all times. The majority of plants, though, do better when their topsoil dries down 2-3 inches below the surface before being watered. Succulents, plants with thick leaves, and cacti prefer the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

  1. Use your finger or a wooden stick to determine the moisture content of your plant's soil and water accordingly.
  2. A good rule of thumb to determine how much water to give your plant is to water the area around the plant, not directly over its crown, until water begins to drain from the drainage holes.
  3. When it has finished draining, toss out any left-over water remaining in the saucer underneath.

Signs of Overwatering in Houseplants

  • Soft, dropping leaves
  • Brown, yellow, or wilting leaves
  • Old and new leaves both dropping
  • Brown leaf tips
  • Mould on leaves, stems, or flowers
  • Wet, soggy soil
  • Gray or black slimy roots

Signs of Underwatering in Houseplants

  • Dry, hard, compacted soil
  • Soil pulled away from side of container
  • Yellow, brown, or discoloured leaves
  • Dropping leaves
  • Brittle, dry leaves
  • Slower than usual growth

Bring some green into your home now!

Follow these guidelines and watch your plants thrive and become cherished living decor in your home. Their vibrant colour, freshness, and vitality provide daily health and well-being benefits that will make you feel like you are living in a garden paradise.