Before the plant comes home
Plant care guides
How often to water it, how much light it wants, and why yours is doing that. Honest, specific, no “lush green companion” filler.
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
Every 7–10 days, when the top inch of soil is dry
Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
Every 2–3 weeks; let the soil dry out completely first
Monstera
Monstera deliciosa
Every 1–2 weeks, when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum
About once a week, when the top inch of soil is dry; less in winter
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum
About once a week, when the top inch of soil is dry; it wilts to warn you
Heartleaf Philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum
Every 7–10 days, when the top inch of soil is dry
ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Every 2–3 weeks; let the soil dry out completely first
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera
Every 2–3 weeks; soak fully, then let the soil dry out completely
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia
Every 7–10 days, when the top inch of soil is dry
Calathea
Goeppertia (formerly Calathea)
Keep lightly, evenly moist; water when the top half-inch is dry
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Ficus lyrata
Every 7–10 days, when the top 2 inches of soil are dry
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica
Every 7–14 days, when the top inch or two of soil is dry
Bird of Paradise
Strelitzia reginae
Every 7–10 days in summer, every 2–3 weeks in winter
Anthurium
Anthurium andraeanum
Every 7–10 days, when the top inch of soil is dry
Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema
Every 7–14 days, when the top inch or two of soil is dry
Jade Plant
Crassula ovata
Every 2–3 weeks in summer, monthly or less in winter
English Ivy
Hedera helix
Every 5–10 days; keep lightly moist, never soggy
Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
Every 3–7 days; keep the soil consistently damp, never dry
Money Tree
Pachira aquatica
Every 1–2 weeks, when the top 2 inches of soil are dry
Christmas Cactus
Schlumbergera
Every 1–2 weeks, when the top inch of soil is dry
Parlor Palm
Chamaedorea elegans
Every 7–10 days, when the top inch of soil is dry
Moth Orchid
Phalaenopsis
Roughly every 7–10 days; soak, then drain completely
Hoya
Hoya carnosa
Every 2–3 weeks; let the soil dry out most of the way first
Nerve Plant
Fittonia albivenis
Every 3–5 days; keep the soil lightly moist at all times