Expert advice to help your indoor plants thrive in your UK home.
Every plant has unique requirements for light, water, humidity, and nutrients. Understanding these needs is the key to keeping your plants healthy and thriving. Here's our comprehensive guide to basic plant care.
Check soil moisture before watering. Most plants prefer to dry out slightly between waterings.
Observe how much natural light your space receives and choose plants accordingly.
Many tropical plants thrive in higher humidity. Consider misting or using a humidifier.
Feed your plants with appropriate fertilizer during the growing season.
Proper watering is essential for plant health. Here's how to water different types of indoor plants.
Plants like Monsteras, Philodendrons, and Pothos prefer consistently moist soil without being soggy. Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings.
Every 7-10 daysThese drought-tolerant plants store water in their leaves and stems. Allow soil to dry completely between thorough waterings.
Every 2-3 weeksMoisture-loving plants that prefer consistently damp soil. Never allow to dry out completely, and provide high humidity.
Every 4-7 daysLight is a plant's food source. Here's how to decode light requirements for your indoor plants.
Unfiltered sunlight directly touching the plant, typically found very close to south-facing windows.
Perfect for: Cacti, Succulents, Citrus
Plenty of light but without direct sun rays, such as near east/west windows or a few feet from south-facing windows.
Perfect for: Monstera, Fiddle Leaf Fig, Philodendron
Moderate brightness found in the middle of a room with windows or near north-facing windows.
Perfect for: Pothos, ZZ Plant, Snake Plant
Areas far from windows or in rooms with minimal natural light.
Perfect for: Snake Plant, ZZ Plant, Peace Lily
Adjust your plant care routine throughout the year to match the UK's seasons.
Resume regular watering as plants wake up from winter dormancy. It's the ideal time for repotting, pruning, and propagation as daylight hours increase.
Tip: Check for pests emerging with the warmer weather and wipe dust from leaves to maximise photosynthesis.
Increase watering frequency during warm spells and provide ventilation in conservatories or south-facing rooms. Protect foliage from harsh midday sun.
Tip: Water early in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation and mist humidity-loving plants.
Gradually reduce watering as temperatures cool and growth slows. Give a final light feed before winter and rotate plants for even light exposure.
Tip: Clean windows to maximise diminishing natural light.
Cut back on watering and move plants closer to available light. Keep them away from draughts and radiators while monitoring humidity.
Tip: Use pebble trays or humidifiers to counteract dry central heating.
Yellowing leaves can indicate several issues: overwatering (the most common cause), underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, poor drainage, or insufficient light. Check the soil moisture first - if consistently wet, reduce watering frequency and ensure proper drainage. If dry, water more frequently.
Signs your plant needs repotting include: roots growing out of drainage holes, water running straight through the pot, stunted growth despite proper care, or the plant becoming top-heavy. Most plants benefit from repotting every 1-2 years in spring when they're actively growing.
Common houseplant pests include spider mites (tiny moving dots with fine webbing), mealybugs (white cotton-like clusters), scale (brown bumps on stems), and fungus gnats (small flying insects). Treat with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or horticultural oil. Quarantine affected plants to prevent spreading.
During the growing season (spring and summer), fertilize monthly with a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half the recommended strength. In autumn and winter, reduce or stop fertilizing as plants enter dormancy. Over-fertilization can damage plants, so always err on the side of less rather than more.
Brown leaf edges usually indicate dry air (low humidity), underwatering, or exposure to direct heat sources. Tropical plants especially need higher humidity. Increase humidity with a humidifier, pebble tray with water, or by grouping plants together. Keep plants away from heaters and air conditioners.
Our plant specialists are always available to answer your questions and provide personalized advice.
Get in Touch