Illustrations by Ana Gutowski
The past few years, houseplants have been making a comeback—but many people are realizing that being a plant parent isn’t as easy as it looks. We’ve put together a care guide for common houseplants so you can keep your greenery happy, healthy, and thriving.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)
- Low to partial light, low to bright indirect light
- Allow the soil to dry between waterings and do not overwater. Better to water too little than too much!
Snake Plant (Dracaena Trifasciata)
- Low to bright light
- Allow the soil surface to dry between waterings and don’t overwater in the winter.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
- Low to medium light, avoid direct sunlight
- Keep evenly moist, water less in the winter.
Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica)
- Medium to bright indirect light and also does well under fluorescent lights
- Keep evenly moist, water less in the winter.
Radiator Plant (Peperomia)
- Low to medium light, also does well in fluorescent light
- Allow the soil surface to dry between waterings.
Philodendron
- Bright, indirect light
- Allow the soil surface to dry between waterings.
English Ivy (Hedera Helix)
- Medium to bright light
- Keep evenly moist.
Rubber Tree (Ficus Elastica)
- Medium to bright light, indirect
- Keep evenly moist during the growing season, and water every one to two months in the dormant season. Spritz leaves with water to keep clean.
Corn Plant (Fragrant Dracaena)
- Medium to bright light, but can also live in low light
- Keep the soil pretty damp but in the winter let it dry between waterings.
Devil’s Ivy (Pothos)
- Low to medium light but can thrive in any lighting other than bright, direct light
- Keep the soil moderately dry.
Jade Plant (Crassula Ovata)
- Bright light
- Never let it dry out completely but avoid overwatering. Water when the topsoil is dry to the touch.
Dwarf Umbrella Tree (Schefflera Arboricola)
- Medium to bright indirect light
- Let the soil dry between watering.