HousePlantsInfo guide
Houseplant Care Guide: The Basics Every Plant Needs
Most houseplant problems come back to four things: water, light, soil and feeding. Get those right and almost any plant will grow.
These guides work for nearly every common houseplant. For plant-specific advice, open its plant guide.
- 22free guides
- 4topics
- Nov 2026last updated
New to houseplant care? Start here
Read these first. They cover the basics that solve most problems.
- How Often Should I Water a Houseplant? [Complete Guide]Water by the soil, not the calendar.
- How to Make Well-Drained Soil for Houseplants?Mix soil that keeps roots healthy.
- How to Fertilize Houseplants NaturallyFeed plants without harsh chemicals.
- How Long To Keep Grow Lights on House Plants?Give plants light where windows fall short.
- How to Care for Houseplants in Winter: 8 Changes That Keep Them Healthy Until SpringAdjust care when days get short.
- How to Care for Houseplants While on Vacation: 8 Steps to Come Home to Healthy PlantsKeep plants alive while you're away.
Care basics: water, light and soil17
How much to water, how much light, which soil and when to feed.
- Are Eggshells Good for Houseplants?
- Can I Spray Vinegar On Houseplants?
- Can You Plant a Spider Plant in Cactus Soil?
- How Long To Keep Grow Lights on House Plants?
- How Often Should I Water a Houseplant? [Complete Guide]
- How Often Should You Change the Soil in Houseplants? Signs, Timing and Steps
- How to Care for Houseplants in Summer [9 Useful Tips]
- How to Care for Houseplants in Winter: 8 Changes That Keep Them Healthy Until Spring
- How to Care for Houseplants While on Vacation: 8 Steps to Come Home to Healthy Plants
- How to Clean House Plant Leaves: 6 Methods and When to Use Each
- How to Fertilize Houseplants Naturally
- How to Make Well-Drained Soil for Houseplants?
- Is Bong Water Good for House Plants?
- Is Epsom Salt Good for Houseplants?
- Is Miracle-Gro Good for Houseplants? When It Helps, When It Hurts, and How to Use It
- Is Rainwater Good for Houseplants?
- When Can Houseplants Go Outside [Complete Guide]
Propagation, repotting and pruning2
Make new plants, move to a bigger pot, prune and shape.
Leaf problems and fixes1
Yellow, brown, curling or drooping leaves: what each sign means and the fix.
Varieties, comparisons and facts2
Types, look-alikes, growth rates and side-by-side comparisons.
More plant guides
Want everything, newest first? Browse all articles, or see every plant guide on one page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I water houseplants?
Water when the soil tells you to, not on a fixed schedule. For most tropical houseplants, that’s when the top inch or two of soil feels dry. Succulents and cactus should dry out almost completely between waterings.
What kind of light do most houseplants need?
Most common houseplants grow best in bright, indirect light, such as a few feet back from an east- or west-facing window. Very few do well in a dark corner far from any window.
When should I fertilize houseplants?
Feed during the growing season, spring and summer, using a diluted balanced fertilizer. Cut back or stop in fall and winter, when most plants grow slowly.
Do houseplant pots need drainage holes?
Yes, for most plants. A drainage hole lets extra water escape so the roots don’t sit in soggy soil, which is the main cause of root rot.