You are looking up at an empty ceiling hook in a room where the only window faces north, wondering what could possibly trail down from it and stay green. The short version: The most reliable low light indoor hanging plants are pothos, heartleaf philodendron, satin pothos, spider plant, Boston fern, trailing peperomia, hoya, rhipsalis and … Read more >>
You have a self-watering planter on the windowsill, a reservoir gauge reading full, and a plant inside that is either thriving or quietly yellowing. The right houseplants for self watering pots turn that setup into steady, low-effort care, while the wrong ones slowly rot. The short version: Self-watering pots suit plants that like soil kept … Read more >>
You press a thumb against your cactus on the windowsill and the stem gives way like a ripe tomato instead of pushing back firm and solid. If you are wondering what to do if my cactus is squishy, the answer depends on where the softness is, what color it is, and how it smells. The … Read more >>
A clear glass jar on a sunny sill, holding a heartleaf philodendron cutting with pale new roots, is one of the most satisfying sights in a plant-filled room. The short version: Propagating philodendron in water works best with a 4 to 6 inch vining cutting that has at least one node, set in room-temperature water … Read more >>
You are looking at a cactus on your windowsill that has grown too tall, dropped a pad, or sprouted a cluster of pups, and you are wondering if those pieces could become new plants. They can, and this step-by-step guide for growing cactus from cuttings walks you through the process from the first cut to … Read more >>
Your English ivy trails from a shelf near the window, some leaves glossy and green, others starting to crisp or yellow, and you are not sure whether to grab the watering can or wait another day. If you are wondering how much water does English ivy need, the honest answer depends on your light, your … Read more >>
You are looking at a sunny windowsill lined with spiky, chubby, and rosette-shaped plants, and you are wondering whether they all count as one group. The short version: No, but they overlap. Every cactus is a succulent, because cacti store water in thick tissue, but most succulents are not cacti. True cacti belong to one … Read more >>
Your dragon tree stands by the window with spiky, red-edged leaves. You’re holding a watering can and wondering whether the plant actually needs it today. Knowing how often to water dracaena marginata matters more than almost any other care step, because this plant tolerates neglect far better than it tolerates soggy soil. The short version: … Read more >>
The pot on your windowsill has a pale crust on the rim, water runs straight through it, and the plant hasn’t put out a new leaf in months. The question of how often you should change the soil in houseplants usually comes up right at this point. The short version: Most houseplants need fresh potting … Read more >>
Your cactus sits on the windowsill looking wrong: the base feels soft, the skin has gone yellow or translucent, and the soil still smells damp days after you watered. The short version: Yes, an overwatered cactus can usually be saved if you act while some roots or the upper stem are still firm and green. … Read more >>