Plant Care & Maintenance

Keep your plants thriving with these simple, beginner-friendly care tips.

Watering Schedules by Plant Type

One of the biggest plant care mistakes is overwatering or underwatering. But different plants have different needs! Here's a quick guide:

Succulents & Cacti – Water every 2–3 weeks. Let soil dry out completely.
Tropical plants (like Monstera or Peace Lily) – Water when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry.
Snake & ZZ Plants – Water every 2–3 weeks. They’re drought-tolerant and love to dry out.
Pothos & Spider Plants – Water once a week or when topsoil feels dry.

👉 Tip: Use your finger to check moisture before watering—and always water deeply, letting excess drain out.

Light Needs Explained

Lighting is just as important as water. Here’s how to match your plant with the perfect light:

Bright, Direct Light – South-facing windows; ideal for succulents, cacti, and fiddle leaf figs.
Bright, Indirect Light – Near a sunny window, but not in direct sun; perfect for pothos, monstera, and peace lilies.
Low Light – Corners or north-facing rooms; great for snake plants, ZZ plants, and philodendrons.

👉 Tip: If your plant’s leaves look pale or stretch toward the light, it’s likely not getting enough sun.

Fertilizing Basics

Plants need more than just water to thrive—they also need nutrients to support healthy root systems, vibrant leaves, and steady growth.

Use a balanced fertilizer during the growing season (typically spring through early fall). Most houseplants benefit from monthly feeding.
All-purpose fertilizers are great for a variety of plants including vegetables, herbs, flowers, and indoor greenery.
Go organic when possible to avoid harsh chemicals and promote long-term soil and plant health.

👉 Product Suggestion:
Try Organic Plant Magic – Truly Organic™ Soluble Plant Food Shaker 🌱
This easy-to-use, all-purpose fertilizer concentrate is perfect for indoor gardens, herbs, vegetables, and even fruit trees. Just shake, water, and watch your plants thrive! It's safe, organic, and beginner-friendly.

Feeds your plants naturally with real, plant-based ingredients
Simple shaker-style container = no mess, no measuring
Works for all types of plants, indoors or out

👉 Tip: Always water your plant before fertilizing to avoid root shock—and scale back feeding in fall and winter months when most plants go dormant.

Repotting Tips

Repotting helps your plant grow and keeps the roots healthy.

Repot every 1–2 years or when roots start poking out of the pot.
Choose a pot 1–2 inches bigger in diameter.
Use fresh potting soil to refresh nutrients and drainage.

👉 Tip: Spring is the best time to repot since it’s the start of the growing season

Pest Prevention

Even the healthiest indoor plants can run into unwanted guests—like gnats, spider mites, or mealybugs. Catching and treating pests early is key to keeping your plants happy.

Inspect your plants regularly, especially under the leaves and around the soil.
Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth or natural spray to remove dust and early signs of pests.
Avoid overwatering, which can lead to fungus gnats.
Isolate new plants for a week or two to make sure they’re pest-free before introducing them to your other plants.

👉 Product Suggestion:
Try Kate's Home & Garden Plant Spray for Insects & Fungus Gnats 🪴
This all-in-one solution not only repels and kills common plant pests—it also comes with 12 sticky traps to catch gnats before they spread.

Natural, non-toxic formula safe for indoor use
Easy to spray on leaves and soil
Sticky traps included for extra protection

It’s an excellent option for beginners who want a ready-to-use, effective solution for pest control.

👉 Tip: Pair sticky traps with a watering routine that allows the soil to dry out between waterings—this makes your space less inviting to gnats and bugs.

Common Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid

Houseplants can transform your space, boost your mood, and even purify your air — but only if they’re cared for properly. Whether you’re just starting your plant journey or trying to improve your green thumb, avoiding these common mistakes can make all the difference. Let’s walk through the most frequent missteps and how to fix them so your plants can truly thrive.

Overwatering

💧 More water isn’t always better.
One of the biggest mistakes plant lovers make is giving their plants too much water. Overwatering can lead to root rot, yellowing leaves, and fungus gnats — all signs your plant is drowning rather than thriving.

What to do instead:

Use your finger to test the soil 1–2 inches deep.
Only water when the soil feels dry (especially for succulents or low-water plants).
Make sure your pot has good drainage.

📌 Tip: When in doubt, it's better to underwater slightly than overwater.

Not Enough Light

☁️ All plants need some form of light.
Many houseplants are labeled “low-light,” but that doesn't mean they can survive in a dark corner. Lack of light leads to leggy growth, pale leaves, and eventually, a dying plant.

What to do instead:

Place your plants near windows with filtered sunlight.
Rotate them weekly to encourage even growth.
Consider grow lights for rooms with little natural light.

📌 Tip: South-facing windows offer the brightest light, while east or west provide great moderate exposure.

Improper Pots & No Drainage

Cute doesn’t always mean functional.
Stylish pots are tempting, but if they don’t have drainage holes, water can pool at the bottom and rot your plant’s roots.

What to do instead:

Choose pots with drainage holes.
If using decorative pots, keep your plant in a plastic nursery pot and slip it inside.
Empty standing water from cachepots regularly.

📌 Tip: Elevate pots slightly with pot feet or trays to prevent moisture buildup.

Ignoring Pest Problems

🐜 Small bugs can become big problems.
Gnats, spider mites, and aphids can sneak in and spread quickly if not caught early. Many people don’t notice pests until their plants are seriously damaged.

What to do instead:

Check under leaves weekly.
Look for webbing, sticky residue, or discolored spots.
Use a natural insect spray like Kate's Home & Garden Plant Spray with sticky traps for prevention and treatment.

📌 Tip: Isolate new plants for a week before introducing them to your collection.

Skipping Fertilizer

🌿 Soil alone isn’t enough long-term.
Plants rely on nutrients in the soil, but those nutrients get used up over time. Without proper feeding, your plant’s growth may stall or its leaves may lose color.

What to do instead:

Feed every 4–6 weeks during spring and summer.
Use a gentle, all-purpose fertilizer like Organic Plant Magic™ — it’s easy to use and perfect for houseplants.

📌 Tip: Don’t fertilize in winter — most houseplants go dormant and don’t need it.

Letting Leaves Get Dusty

Dust can block your plant’s ability to “breathe.”
Dust on leaves blocks sunlight and clogs the pores (called stomata), making it harder for plants to photosynthesize properly.

What to do instead:

Wipe large leaves gently with a damp microfiber cloth every couple of weeks.
For smaller or delicate plants, use a soft brush or give them a quick rinse in the shower.

📌 Tip: Cleaning also gives you a chance to inspect for pests and yellowing leaves.

Repotting Too Frequently — or Not Enough

Know when to give your plant room to grow.
Some plant parents repot too often, which can shock the plant. Others never repot, leading to root-bound conditions and stunted growth.

What to do instead:

Repot every 12–18 months, or when roots grow out of the pot’s bottom.
Choose a pot just 1–2 inches wider than the current one.
Use fresh soil each time to refresh nutrients.

📌 Tip: Spring is the best time to repot — it aligns with your plant’s natural growth cycle.

Houseplants don’t require perfection — they just need a little knowledge and consistency. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll set your indoor garden up for success. With the right care, your plants will reward you with beauty, clean air, and a calming presence in your home.