12 Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes With Their House Plants

Growing plants can be incredibly rewarding. After all, it’s nice to have a home full of beautiful, thriving plants. Their colors and unique features can make a room feel complete. On the other hand, it can be incredibly frustrating when plants don’t end up growing as expected or die for seemingly no reason. This could be the result of some common mistakes almost everyone makes with their houseplants. Here are some plant pitfalls to avoid, according to the pros. 

Not Researching Your Plant Before Purchasing

You might see a plant at the nursery or a friend’s house and want one for yourself—but it might not be the right plant for you, according to Bliss Bendall, NYBG certified horticulturist. “No matter how badly you want a fiddle leaf fig, for example, if you do not have very bright, filtered warm sun exposure for six to eight hours a day, the plant will die," Bendall says.

Inconsistent Plant Care

If you travel a lot or work long hours, being a plant parent might not be in the cards for you. “You must know exactly how to care for your plant and consistently take care of it. There is a specific science to care for them and those requirements [must be] met for them to stay alive. There is no winging it for 90 percent of common houseplants," Bendall explains.

This is particularly true when it comes to watering, says Kaylyn Hewitt, lead floral designer of The Bouqs Co. “Make sure you research your plant and understand its specific watering requirements. Most plants need different watering schedules and there is not always a one-size-fits-all.”

Using Tap Water 

Tap water might be cheap and convenient, but it isn’t the optimal choice for plants, according to Bendall. “Use distilled, sodium-free water because salt buildup is poisonous for almost all houseplants. This is an easy fix. Just buy those gallon jugs of distilled water or boil your own and use it 24 hours after boiling.”

Not Fertilizing Your Houseplants

“This step often gets overlooked because you do not have to do it often, but don’t forget to fertilize your plants,” Hewitt says. “Set a reminder so that you can remember every few months to fertilize your plants.” If you're not sure how often to fertilize your specific plant, look up the recommended cadence. Keep in mind that many house plants should not be fertilized during the winter months.

Not Considering the Direction of the Sunlight

It’s crucial to understand what direction the light is coming from in your home. This can also determine what room you put your plant in. “It really makes all the difference,” Bendall says. “Southeast sunlight exposure is not as strong as northwest, for example. You need to know where the sun is coming from during what time of day.” 

Not Being Patient

You might feel frustrated or give up on a plant because you think it isn’t growing fast enough. But you could just be giving up too early, according to the horticulturist. “Sometimes you’ll choose a plant you wanted to stay a particular size for a particular area but the plant might rapidly grow bigger in a year or so. Some grow so slowly they might not fill the space as fast as you would have hoped.”

Ignoring Humidity Levels

Those who live in dry or desert-like climates with minimal humidity should keep humidity levels in mind when they purchase plants. Humidity levels in your home will ultimately affect the long-term health of your plant, especially if they have tropical origins.

Not Repotting

Not repotting a plant as it ages or grows bigger can be a big mistake. “Soil ages poorly because it erodes over time. Water can also impact soil,” Bendall says. If you keep a plant in a too-small pot, it can become root-bound, meaning the roots run out of space.

Forgetting to Dust the Leaves

While dusting plants is a chore, it’s essential to keep those leaves clean to maximize growth, explains Bendall. “Dust can block sunlight to leaves, which slows down photosynthesis, which is the process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.”

Placing Plants on Top of an Air Conditioner or Heater

If you’ve been keeping plants on top of your air conditioner or heater, move them and then shop for some new decor. “Plants are living things. Temperature affects their health, especially if a plant's origins are in a hot or cold climate. You wouldn’t want to keep them in a place that would freeze or burn them to death.”

Not Giving Your Houseplants Proper Drainage

All plants need some degree of drainage in order to be healthy and avoid issues like root rot. While the most ideal thing is to get a planter that has a drainage hole, if you have a container you absolutely love without any, you can add a bottom layer of horticulture charcoal or pebbles. This is not ideal, since layering rocks at the bottom of the planter might still encourage root rot, but if you have your plant's watering needs dialed in, it could be fine. Ultimately, you're better off repotting your plant in a container with holes.

Not Paying Attention to the Seasons

Just like us, plants have different needs in different seasons. Some plants will go dormant or semi-dormant during the winter months and need less water, less fertilizer, or to be trimmed back. Make sure you research each of your plants' specific needs each season to make sure you're doing everything you can to keep them as healthy as possible, all year round!