Plant Care Guides
Species-specific care for the houseplants people actually own — how often to water, how much light they really need, and the problems each one is prone to before they start.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera
- Light
- Bright, 6+ hours direct sun
- Water
- Every 2–4 weeks
Calathea
Goeppertia spp.
- Light
- Medium indirect — never direct
- Water
- Every 5–7 days
Echeveria
Echeveria spp.
- Light
- 6+ hours direct sun
- Water
- Every 2–3 weeks
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Ficus lyrata
- Light
- Bright, some direct sun
- Water
- Every 7–10 days
Heartleaf Philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect
- Water
- Every 7–10 days
Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera deliciosa
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Every 1–2 weeks
Moth Orchid
Phalaenopsis spp.
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Every 7–10 days
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii
- Light
- Medium indirect
- Water
- Every 5–10 days
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
- Light
- Low to bright indirect
- Water
- Every 1–2 weeks
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Every 7–14 days
Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
- Light
- Low to bright indirect
- Water
- Every 3–6 weeks
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Every 7–10 days
ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
- Light
- Low to bright indirect
- Water
- Every 3–6 weeks
Easiest plants to keep alive
Forgiving of missed waterings, adaptable about light, and quick to recover from mistakes.
Safe for cats and dogs
Non-toxic species. For the wider list and what to do in an emergency, see pet safe houseplants.
Tolerate lower light
Suitable for north-facing rooms and spots away from a window. See also the best low light houseplants.
Plant care questions
How often should I water my houseplants?
There is no single answer — it depends on the species, pot size and material, light, temperature and season. The same plant may need water weekly in July and every three weeks in January. Check the soil on a regular schedule rather than watering on one, and use each species guide for the depth of dryness that particular plant wants.
Which houseplants are easiest for a complete beginner?
Pothos, snake plant, ZZ plant and spider plant are the four most forgiving. All tolerate irregular watering, adapt to a range of light levels, and recover well from mistakes. Pothos and spider plants also propagate almost effortlessly, which makes them satisfying to learn on.
Which of these plants are safe for cats and dogs?
Spider plants, calatheas and prayer plants, Phalaenopsis orchids and echeveria succulents are all non-toxic. Most of the popular aroids — pothos, monstera, philodendron, peace lily and ZZ plant — contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause painful mouth irritation in pets, as do aloe vera and rubber plants.
Why do my plants keep dying?
Overwatering and insufficient light account for the large majority of houseplant deaths. Both are easy to correct once identified: check soil moisture before watering rather than following a schedule, and be honest about how much light a spot genuinely gets — if you could not read a book there at midday without a lamp, it is a low-light position.