Every plant we send comes with its own care card, but here's a general guide covering the basics that keep most houseplants happy. When in doubt, the card that shipped with your plant always takes priority over general advice like this.
Light
Most houseplants do best in bright, indirect light, close to a window but out of direct midday sun, which can scorch leaves. Low-light plants like pothos, ZZ plant, and snake plant tolerate dimmer corners, but even they grow better with some natural light. If your plant's leaves start reaching toward one side, rotate the pot every week or two for even growth.
Watering
The most common way to lose a houseplant isn't too little water, it's too much. Before watering, push a finger about an inch into the soil; if it's still damp, wait. Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, then let the pot drain completely rather than sitting in a saucer of water. Watering frequency depends heavily on the season, the plant, and your home's humidity, so treat any "water once a week" advice as a starting point, not a rule.
Humidity
Tropical plants like calatheas, ferns, and monsteras enjoy higher humidity than most Indian homes offer, especially with air conditioning running. Grouping plants together, using a pebble tray, or running a small humidifier nearby can make a noticeable difference. Misting helps a little in the short term but isn't a substitute for ambient humidity.
Feeding
Houseplants generally need feeding only during their active growing months (roughly February to October in most of India), and not at all in the cooler winter months when growth slows down. A balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength, once every 3-4 weeks during the growing season, is enough for most plants. Over-fertilising is more common than under-fertilising and can burn the roots.
Repotting
Most plants need repotting once every 1-2 years, or whenever roots start circling the bottom of the pot or poking out of the drainage hole. Move up one pot size at a time rather than jumping to a much larger pot, and do it during the growing season so the plant recovers quickly.
Common pests
Keep an eye out for tiny webs (spider mites), sticky residue on leaves (mealybugs or aphids), or small flies around the soil (fungus gnats, usually a sign of overwatering). Wiping leaves with a damp cloth regularly helps you spot problems early, and most mild infestations clear up with neem oil spray applied weekly for a few weeks.
Want plant-specific guidance?
For a deeper look at matching light conditions to specific plants, see our Light Guide. And if something still doesn't look right, send us a photo on WhatsApp, we're happy to help you troubleshoot.