Houseplant Care — The Beginner's Guide
Watering, light, fertilizing, repotting and the best plants for beginners
Houseplants improve air quality, reduce stress, and make any room more inviting. The good news: most plants need less attention than you might think. Here are the basics.
Watering correctly — the most common source of error
The number one cause of death for houseplants: overwatering . Not dryness, not too little light — too much water.
- Finger test: Insert your finger 2-3 cm into the soil. Does it feel moist? Do not water. Dry? Water.
- Better too little than too much: Most houseplants survive drought better than waterlogging.
- Avoid waterlogging: Excess water must be able to drain away. Use a pot with a drainage hole and a saucer. After 30 minutes, empty any remaining water from the saucer.
- Water temperature: Room-temperature, stale water is ideal. Cold tap water can shock the roots.
- Seasonal adjustment: Water less in winter (plant is dormant), more in summer (growth phase).
Pro tip: Succulents and cacti need significantly less water than tropical plants. In winter, once a month is often sufficient.
The right light
Light is the plant's source of nourishment (photosynthesis). The correct amount depends on the species:
- Plenty of light (south-facing window): succulents , cacti, citrus trees, palm trees.
- Medium light (east/west window): Monstera, Ficus, Philodendron, Peace Lily.
- Low light (north-facing windows/indoors): Sansevieria (snake plant), Zamioculcas (ZZ plant), Pothos. More on plants for dark rooms .
Signs of insufficient light: Long, thin shoots (the plant is stretching towards the light), pale leaves, hardly any new growth. Solution: Move it closer to the window or use a grow light.
Fertilizing — when and how
- When: Only during the growing season (March–September). Do not fertilize in winter.
- How often: Every 2–4 weeks with liquid fertilizer in the watering can. Less is more — over-fertilizing is harmful.
- Which fertilizer: Universal houseplant fertilizer for most plants. For cacti and succulents: special cactus fertilizer (less nitrogen).
- Just repotted? Do not fertilize! Fresh soil contains enough nutrients for approximately 6–8 weeks.
Repotting — when is it time?
- Signs: Roots grow out of the drainage hole, water runs through immediately (no more soil to store it), plant easily tips over.
- Timing: Spring (March–May) — the plant grows most vigorously and recovers quickly.
- New pot size: Only 2–3 cm larger than the old pot. Too much space = too much moist soil = root rot.
- Drainage: Clay shards or expanded clay at the bottom of the pot + pot with drainage hole.
The best houseplants for beginners
- Sansevieria (snake plant): Virtually indestructible. Requires little light and water, and purifies the air.
- Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Grows everywhere, forgives mistakes, climbs decoratively.
- Zamioculcas (ZZ plant): Survives weeks of neglect. Perfect for forgetful people.
- Monstera deliciosa: The Instagram star. It grows quickly and looks spectacular.
- Peace lily (Spathiphyllum): Blooms even in low light. Drooping leaves indicate when it needs water.
- Spider plant (Chlorophytum): Robust, air-purifying, forms offshoots — the perfect beginner plant.
- Aloe Vera: Easy to care for, useful (gel for skin care) and decorative.
The 5 most common grooming mistakes
- Too much water: Waterlogging leads to root rot — the most common killer. It's better to water less frequently but thoroughly.
- Wrong location: A light-loving plant in a dark corner = slow death. Always check the light requirements.
- No drainage: Pots without a drainage hole = waterlogging trap. Always ensure proper drainage.
- Fertilizing in winter: The plant is dormant — fertilizer only stresses the roots.
- Repotting too infrequently: After 1-2 years the soil is depleted and compacted.
Houseplants at MO BLUMEN Vienna
Easy-care potted plants, Monstera, succulents and more — delivered throughout Vienna.
Frequently Asked Questions
This depends on the plant, the pot, the season, and the room temperature. As a rule of thumb: tropical plants (Monstera, Philodendron) every 7–10 days, succulents and cacti every 2–4 weeks, generally less frequently in winter. The best way to check is with your finger.
The most common causes are: overwatering (root rot), nutrient deficiency (long period without fertilizing or repotting), insufficient light, or natural aging (lower leaves). A single yellow leaf is normal. Several yellow leaves at once = investigate the cause.
The most well-known air-purifying plants (according to the NASA Clean Air Study) are: Sansevieria, peace lily, pothos, spider plant, dracaena, rubber plant, and aloe vera. They filter pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene from the air. However, several plants per room are needed for a noticeable effect.
Fungus gnats love damp soil. Solution: Water less frequently and allow the soil to dry out well between waterings. Yellow sticky traps catch the adult gnats. Sand or gravel on the soil surface prevents the gnats from laying eggs. Neem oil in the watering can is effective against the larvae.
