Small mistakes. Big damage. Easy fixes that keep your plants alive.
Most houseplants fade slowly from a few ordinary mistakes — not bad luck. Fix the habits, and your plants bounce back.
Never water on a fixed schedule. Push a finger into the soil — dry on top means water, moist means wait a couple of days.
A pretty pot with no holes traps water and rots the roots. Keep the plant in a plain pot with holes, set inside the decorative one.
Tiny sips only wet the surface while deep roots stay thirsty. Pour slowly until water runs from the drainage holes, then wait.
A sun-lover on a dim shelf will stretch and pale no matter how well you water it. Read the light needs before you buy.
Plants adjust to one spot's light and temperature. Shuffling them between rooms stresses them for no benefit — pick a home and leave it there.
Tip out standing water from the outer pot. Turn the pot a quarter-turn so growth stays even. Don't repot a new plant for several weeks.
A two-minute soil check beats a rescue mission. Small habits compound into plants that stay green all year.
All 13 mistakes, explained step by step — plus which ones to fix first.