Your cat is curled on the windowsill of a north-facing room, and the only green nearby is a bare corner that gets soft, indirect light most of the day. Filling that space with low light indoor plants safe for cats takes a little more planning than grabbing the first shade-tolerant plant you see. The short … Read more >>
A windowsill with crisp white blooms against green leaves makes a room feel calmer, brighter and a little more finished, and house plants with white flowers do that better than almost anything else you can grow indoors. White petals also pick up the low winter light in a way darker flowers cannot. The short version: … Read more >>
Your snake plant has a tall leaf flopping over the side of the pot, or a crowded clump pushing against a north-facing window, and you want to turn it into more plants. Snake plant cuttings are one of the easiest ways to do that, as long as you get a few details right. The short … Read more >>
You glance over at the big elephant ear by your window and spot a torn leaf, a few green flecks on the floor, and a child or pet who suddenly seems upset and is drooling. The short version: Elephant ear plants contain sharp calcium oxalate crystals that cause instant burning and swelling in the mouth, … Read more >>
You are looking at a houseplant on your windowsill with sticky leaves, tiny webs, or a cloud of gnats, and a bag of garden dust sitting in the closet. Reaching for Sevin dust on houseplants can feel like a fast fix when the pests keep coming back. The short version: No, you should not use … Read more >>
You water your pothos on the kitchen windowsill, and a scatter of tiny white specks starts hopping across the wet soil like popcorn. Those jumpers are almost always springtails, and finding springtails in houseplants is one of the most common soil surprises for indoor growers. The short version: Springtails are harmless soil insects that feed … Read more >>
Your snake plant is sitting in its usual spot by the window, but a few of its tall, stiff leaves have started leaning outward or folding over at the base. Snake plant drooping can look alarming, yet the cause is usually easy to find once you know what to check. The short version: Most drooping … Read more >>
Your snake plant sits by the window looking off, with a few leaves leaning, a yellow patch near the soil, or a new crease running down a once-smooth blade. Figuring out the overwatered vs underwatered snake plant question can feel tricky because both problems can cause drooping and discoloration. The short version: An overwatered snake … Read more >>
Your dieffenbachia sits a few feet from an east window, its broad speckled leaves catching the morning light, while a fresh cup of coffee cools on the counter beside the used filter. If you’ve heard that coffee grounds for dieffenbachia can feed the plant for free, you’re probably wondering whether that filter belongs in the … Read more >>
You are standing in your living room, looking at an empty corner by the window and wondering which plant will actually survive there. The best indoor plants to buy are the ones that match the light you have, the pets you live with and the time you can give them. The short version: For low … Read more >>