Have you lost count of hopeful houseplants that died despite careful placement and regular watering? Many people share that frustration and blame bad luck or poor skills. Experts say neither curse nor green fingers decide success. You simply need to spot common mistakes and fix them early. Gardeners’ World presenter Adam Frost and Royal Horticultural Society expert Clare Preston-Pollitt share practical advice. Their guidance helps everyday plants survive and thrive indoors.
Pick the right plant for your home
Many people choose plants for looks, not living conditions, Clare says. Homes differ in light, warmth, and humidity, and plants react fast. People often buy an attractive plant, take it home, then watch slow decline. The problem often comes from poor placement, not poor care. Clare advises moving plants around to test better spots. A new position can quickly revive struggling foliage.
Bright living rooms with strong light suit monsteras very well. Warm, humid kitchens support peace lilies. Bathrooms with high moisture suit devil’s ivy. Shady rooms or hallways suit false castor oil plants. Matching plant and place increases survival chances immediately.
Don’t drown your plants
Overwatering remains the most common mistake, experts say. Each plant needs different water levels, so avoid one routine for all. Peace lilies and spider plants show brown leaves when watering goes wrong. Always check soil dryness before adding more water. Cacti and succulents suffer most from excess water. Many people mistakenly soak them too often.
Adam says these plants only need light misting to stay fresh. Clare recommends water mats or watering globes. These tools release moisture slowly and prevent flooding roots. Some plants forgive neglect better than others. Cast iron plants, Hoya carnosa, and snake plants survive long dry periods. Snake plants and cast iron plants also tolerate darker rooms.
Change watering habits with the seasons
Plants change needs as seasons shift, Clare explains. During spring and summer, plants grow actively and need more water. Some monsteras need watering two or three times weekly in peak summer. Plants also need feeding then to maintain strong growth. Plant food supplies essential nutrients during this phase.
Autumn and winter require the opposite approach. Lower light levels push foliage plants into semi-dormancy. Soil needs no feeding and far less water. Clare advises watering only when soil dries completely. Repotting also supports long-term health. Spring offers the best time, as plants root faster then. Roots binding tightly or escaping pot holes signal repotting time. Water rushing straight through the pot also signals a needed upgrade.
Keep your Christmas poinsettia warm
Many people start plant care at Christmas with gifted poinsettias. By early January, many already wilt or crumple. Adam says warmth holds the secret to success. These plants come from Mexico and dislike cold drafts. Place them somewhere warm but away from direct sunlight.
Poinsettias need little water, so wait until soil dries. Adam suggests standing the pot briefly in water, then returning it. Light misting also works well. Monthly plant food helps them last longer. Adam recommends trimming branches in April. Repot the plant in May for fresh growth. From September, move it into darkness for twelve hours daily. This routine helps red bracts return for Christmas.
