From a Former Plant Shop Pro Who’s Killed (and Loved) Her Share of Greenery

I love indoor plants. Like, I’m-suspected-of-hiding-jungle-vines-under-my-bed levels of love. I used to work in a plant shop where I saw every kind of plant parent: the overwaterers, the light ignorers, the hopeful romantics with calatheas and no humidity.

Through years of helping customers and nurturing my own too-many-but-thriving plant gang, I’ve developed tried-and-true methods to keep indoor plants healthy and make caring for them something you actually enjoy (instead of dread). So let’s dig in (pun 100% intended) to my easy indoor plants care guide!

Don’t Fall Under the Spell at the Plant Store

We've all been there. You're at the plant shop, you lock eyes with a stunning, velvety-leafed beauty, and the next thing you know you're bringing home a diva that needs rainforest humidity and daily pep talks.

Here’s my advice: don’t shop with your heart, shop with your head. Ask yourself - do I have enough light? Will I remember to mist this thing daily?

A 20-second Google session to research a plant’s growing requirements while you are still in the store’s aisles could save you a lot of heartbreak later. Be strong. Be practical. And choose plants that realistically suit your home and your lifestyle. There’s no shame in picking a pothos over a needy fiddle leaf fig.

a woman with her head resting on her hands stares at a dead house plant with a sad face

The Drainage Hole & Saucer Rule (I Will Die on This Hill)

This is my plant shop soapbox moment: every single pot needs a drainage hole. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve watched a gorgeous plant get doomed by a trendy pot with no drainage.

Water collects, roots rot, the soil turns foul - and the plant dies a slow, mushy death.

If you fall in love with a decorative pot that has no hole, use it as a cachepot (drop in the plastic grower’s pot), but do not water it in there. Take it out and let the excess water drain away. Trust me, you’ll forget once, water will pool around the roots and that’s all it takes to seriously weaken your plant.

Pots with drainage holes and saucers are foolproof. The are practical, protective, and 100% worth it.

Location, Location, Location

Don’t put your plant where you think it looks best - put it where you’ll actually see it. If you place it in a guest room that no one uses (hi, dusty peace lily), chances are you’ll forget it exists until it’s a crispy ghost of its former self.

My rule? Plants live where I live. Kitchen counter, TV room, home office - yes. On top of the china cabinet in a dining room we only use for holidays? No.

If you want to impress visitors with a stylish staged plant moment, go for it! Just move the plant back to its happy place after your guests leave. Temporary relocations are fine - permanent exile is not.

Batch Your Plant Care Like a Pro

One of the biggest indoor plants care time-savers? Batching. Group your plants by light and watering needs and place them together in the same area.

All the sun-loving succulents? Kitchen window. Low-light tropicals? Cozy tv room nook. Orchid collection I'm hoping will bloom again? Bright home office. This way, when it’s time to water, you’re not running from room to room like a plant-crazed marathoner.

You’ll save time, water more consistently, and be more likely to check in on your plants.

Build a Weekly Habit

Routine is everything when it comes to indoor plants. Pick one day a week and make it plant day. I water my tropicals weekly, every Thursday night, right after kitchen cleanup. Succulents and cacti get their turn every other week.

The trick? Tie your plant care to an existing habit - like laundry day or your weekly grocery run. Write it on the calendar. Set a phone reminder. Do what you need to do to make it stick.

And every couple of months (or once a year for cacti and succulents), give your plants a spa day in the sink—flush the soil, clean the leaves, and snip off anything brown. Your plants will thank you.

Make It Foolproof and Friction-Free

Here’s my indoor plants care secret: remove all the barriers. I have a mini plant kit in each zone where my plants live. Inside each watering can, I stash scissors, a washcloth, and some plant food to sprinkle on the soil periodically (Osmocote Smart-Release Outdoor & Indoor Plant Food - so easy. That’s not a sponsored link, just a product I personally use and recommend).

No trekking around the house looking for supplies. No excuses. Just water, snip, wipe, done. You don’t need anything fancy - reuse a plastic water bottle or juice bottle and an old wash cloth, towel or t-shirt. And any small, clean pair of scissors will do.

If it’s convenient, you’re so much more likely to follow through!

Your Lifestyle Matters

Before you even think about loading up a cart full of leafy wonders, take a deep breath and do a reality check. What season of life are you in right now? Are you starting a new job, traveling frequently, taking evening classes and working full-time, or navigating the delightful chaos of a newborn?

Then this is not the time to bring home a high-maintenance plant (I’m looking at you, maidenhair fern). That’s a recipe for heartbreak.

Instead, go low-fuss and choose something like a snake plant, cuddly cactus, or pothos. Those guys are chill. They don’t need a lot. They’ll forgive you if you skip a week. They’re the friends that say “No worries!” when you forget to text back.

Plants are just like people: they need the right timing to thrive in your life. A more demanding plant might be perfect for you later, when things settle down. Right now? It’s totally fine to keep it easy.

a grouping of three cactus in stylish pots on wood tabletop — Busy life? A chic little cactus cluster is the perfect no-fuss solution.

Reality Check: The Social Media Illusion

Look, I get it. Those moody, lush, jungle-like apartment pics are intoxicating. But Instagram is not real life. Behind every lush plant wall and towering monstera is usually good lighting and sometimes a literal team of helpers.

And more often than not, you’re seeing plants that were just plucked from the greenhouse, showed off at the peak of velvety lushness, before real life sets in.

I’ve seen customers try to recreate influencer-level jungles overnight and they end up overwhelmed and burnt out with hundreds of dollars worth of dying plants on hand.

Start small. Start realistic. Your home doesn’t need to look like a botanical garden. It just needs to feel right and doable, for both you and your plants!

Be Flexible and Forgiving

Even with all the right tools, perfect timing, and the best of intentions… sometimes a plant just doesn’t make it. Maybe it came home with sneaky root rot, or maybe it ended up in a drafty spot with wild temperature swings you were not aware of.

And that’s totally okay. Plants get treated like stylish home decor, but in reality, they are living things and not just cute green accents. Sometimes they need a little flexibility.

Try shifting their spot (even a few feet can make a difference), tweaking your watering routine, or experimenting with light levels. And if it’s still not working out? It’s okay to rehome the plant, pass it to a friend, or let it go. No guilt, no shame.

Every plant teaches you something. Every failed attempt builds your green thumb for the next one!

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations—you’re officially equipped with my best indoor plants care guide. Whether you’re a leafy newbie or a seasoned plant parent, remember: keep it realistic, make it easy, and stay curious.

Indoor plants bring so much life to our spaces. With the right mindset and some simple routines, they’ll bring joy—not stress—into your life.

Now go forth, water wisely, and may your pothos vines trail for miles. 🌿

Featured