Guide for Taking Care of Indoor Plants

From moving into your first apartment to relocating to a larger space, houseplants add vibrancy and life to your living area. However, caring for houseplants can be challenging, especially for beginners, as different plants have varying needs, and it can feel overwhelming to figure out all the necessary conditions.

If you’re unfamiliar with caring for indoor plants or looking to expand your collection, don’t worry about accidentally killing your plants with overwatering or not enough light—keep reading our blog for practical tips on caring for your houseplants and keeping them thriving at home!

Best Indoor Plants

There is a wide variety of indoor plants to choose from, including cacti and leafy trees. Some do much better in certain locations than others, so explore our houseplant recommendations below:

*Indicates that these plants are toxic to cats and dogs. Keeping them out of reach and away from your pets is advisable.

A Lucky Chinese Money Tree

The Chinese money tree, Pachira aquatica, is believed to symbolize prosperity and attract good luck, so having one of these in your home can only bring benefits! These low-maintenance tropical wetland trees can grow up to eight feet tall in suitable indoor conditions, while in the wild, they can reach heights of up to 60 feet.

These plants prefer bright, indirect light and thrive in temperatures ranging from 60° F to 75° F to prevent rapid soil drying and leaf burning. After planting your money tree in soil formulated for money trees or a well-draining potting mix containing sand, pebbles, or perlite, you can water your plant every one to two weeks when the soil is 50% dry.

A Towering Snake Plant*

Native to West Africa, snake plants, or Dracaena trifasciata, are an excellent choice for beginner plant parents. These plants are nearly impossible to kill, only requiring water once a month, allowing the soil to dry out before each watering.

Snake plants prefer bright to medium indirect, filtered sunlight and prefer indoor temperatures between 70° F and 90° F, meaning you can even place them outside on a porch or patio during the summer in the right climate! These plants can grow anywhere from eight inches to 12 feet tall, depending on the variety.

[H3] A Splendid Spider Plant

Spider plants, also known as Chlorophytum comosum, are another fantastic option for indoor plant beginners! These fast-growing plants thrive in bright to moderate indirect sunlight and require watering once a week.

They spread quickly by sending out shoots with various “babies” that begin to sprout. In warmer climates, spider plants can be grown as ground cover due to their rapid spreading. You can even place spider plants in a hanging basket or use them as a grassy feature for flower pots during the summer!

A Smooth Rubber Plant*

Native to Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and southern China, the rubber plant, or Ficus elastica, is an easy-to-care-for, adaptable plant that can bounce back quickly if there’s a bump in its care routine. These plants can grow up to six to ten feet tall in the right conditions—in bright, indirect sunlight and with weekly watering. Next spring, you can repot your rubber plant when it reaches about two to three times the height of its pot!

A Trailing String of Pearls*

For a more unusual yet satisfying plant to grow, try your hand at a string of pearls—also called Senecio rowleyanus. This type of trailing succulent is native to Namibia in southwestern Africa and parts of South Africa, where it can be found in natural desert habitats. These plants flourish in arid, rocky areas, often growing in the shade of other vegetation and rocks, and they also function as ground cover.

This is essential to know before buying one of these plants—one of the most common issues with string of pearls plants is overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Be sure to use a shallow, wide pot with multiple drainage holes and well-draining soil. Water every two to three weeks by lightly moistening the surface soil, and place it in a location that receives a few hours of direct sunlight in the morning and bright, indirect sunlight for the rest of the day.

An Elegant Orchid

Orchids, a.k.a. Orchidaceae, are quite low-maintenance in terms of flowering houseplants. They can be temperamental, however, when overwatered and when the temperature and humidity are too high or too low. Orchids enjoy bright, indirect sunlight, between 40% and 70% humidity, and 65° F and 75° F. Placing a small humidifier in the room with your orchid and other plants that thrive in humid conditions can make all the difference!

A well-draining planter pot with an airy, orchid-specific soil mix can help your orchid thrive. Water once a week, but avoid letting them sit in standing water, and repot every one to two years for optimal development!

Unique Air Plants

Air plants occupy minimal space but can introduce vibrant color throughout your home. These plants, known as Tillandsia, originate from tropical and subtropical regions in North and South America. They’re found clinging to tree trunks, branches, rocks, foliage, and even buildings, growing on their surfaces without extracting nutrients from the host, unlike a parasite.

There’s no need for soil or a planter with this plant! Whether you hang a small terrarium from the ceiling or have a designated spot for your air plant in the window, keep it in bright, indirect sunlight with plenty of air circulation. Another quirk about air plants—water them every 10 to 14 days by dunking them upside down in a clean container filled with lukewarm rainwater, well water, pond water, or creek water, all rich in nutrients and minerals.

Don’t have access to these types of water? Bottled spring water also works well. Avoid, at all costs, using tap water, as the chlorine within it can harm your air plants.

Beginner Tips on How To Care for Indoor Plants

Not all indoor plants share the same characteristics and care requirements as other houseplants, including watering schedules, sunlight needs, maintenance, and propagation. Below, we’ll provide essential tips for caring for your indoor plants.

Indoor Plant Watering Guide—Overwatering vs. Underwatering

For a healthy, thriving plant, understanding its watering needs is crucial before your plant rots or dries out. These are common signs of overwatering and underwatering, and how to save them:

• Overwatering signs. Yellowing, wilting, and dropping leaves, smelly and damp soil, and the presence of fungus gnats can indicate mold or fungal growth.
• Treating overwatered plants. Drain excess water from the plant and place it in a location with good airflow and ventilation, away from cold drafts and direct heat sources. Don’t water again until the topsoil feels dry to the touch. If you notice root rot or fungus growth, remove the plant, cut away the infected parts, and repot it in a planter with proper drainage and soil mix.

• Underwatering signs. Drooping or wilting leaves that feel dry and brittle, dry curled or brown edges on the leaves, compacted dry soil in the planter, and slow or stunted growth.
• Treating underwatered plants. Move the plant to the sink and thoroughly water it, allowing it to drain from the drainage holes for 15 minutes to half an hour to soak the plant’s roots. You can also soak your plant in a full saucer of water for 30 minutes to an hour. After the appropriate time, check the soil’s moisture and repeat if necessary.

A great benefit of living in the modern age is that there’s an app for everything. Try out a plant care app, like Greg, to track your houseplants. It can help you set up a watering and fertilizing schedule, keeping you organized and on top of plant care!

Houseplant Sunlight Requirements

Every houseplant requires a different level of light to satisfy its specific care needs. From bright light to partial, filtered, or indirect light and down to low light, the type of lighting can significantly impact the growth of your plants. Here are three questions you should ask yourself before placing your houseplants in your home:

1. How far is the spot from the window?
2. Which direction is the window facing?
3. What is in front of the window?

If another apartment building blocks your view, it can be assumed that you won’t receive much direct sunlight, so this could be a good space for low-light plants or houseplants that like artificial lighting. Do you have a lovely window seat with morning sunshine? This would be an ideal spot for succulents, cacti, and other plants that like bright, indirect light.

Five Easy Indoor Plant Maintenance Tips

In addition to consistent watering and regular fertilizing during the growing season, you can perform other small plant maintenance tasks to keep them healthy and happy:

1. Adjust the humidity throughout the year.
2. Make sure your plant receives plenty of light throughout the year.
3. Address any pest or disease issues promptly, using neem oil or insecticidal soap as needed.
4. Dust the leaves with a microfiber cloth and a leaf shine solution, and prune when necessary, to support your plant’s growth.
5. Repot when required, typically in the spring.

Enjoy Your Indoor Plants at Home

Are you ready to grow a glorious jungle of tropical plants and vibrant foliage? Case & Associates has apartment communities throughout the South and Midwest, which are ideal for nurturing your plants and making an apartment feel like home!

Find an apartment community near you today or explore our blog for more tips and tricks about apartment living.