House Plant Encyclopedia
An A-Z of House Plants and How to Care For Them:
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Aluminum Plant (Pilea Cadieria)
Easy/Beginner Friendly Plant.
Watering:
Keep soil lightly moist in spring and slightly drier in winter.
Light:
Bright, filtered sunlight
Humidity:
Moderate too high, at least 50% humidity.
Heat:
Average room temperature. Hates cold and drafts.
Soil:
Peat Moss, with Perlite for drainage. African Violet potting mix ideal.
Fertilizer:
Heavily diluted fertilizer, every 2 weeks in Spring.
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Begonia Maculata (Polka Dot Plant)
Easy/Beginner Friendly Plant.
Watering:
Every 2 to 4 days, dont let the soil dry out completely.
Light:
Bright, indirect sunlight.
Humidity:
Prefer humid environments, but intolerant to misting.
Heat:
Stable warm temperature
Soil:
Loose draining soil, generic house plant mix, added perlite
Fertilizer:
Every 2 to 4 weeks
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Calathea (Catherdral Plant)
Fussy Plant/Not beginner friendly
Watering:
Prefer soil to be consistently evenly moist but not soggy. Prefer filtered/mineral water.
Light:
Medium, indirect sunlight.
Humidity:
Prefer humid environments, levels above 60% consistently.
Heat:
Stable warm temperature, intolerant of cold and drafts.
Soil:
Loose draining soil, slightly acidic, standard house plant mix, added coconut bark.
Fertilizer:
Fertilize during spring months, around once a month.
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Dracena (Dragon Tree)
Easy Plant/Beginner friendly
Watering:
Water infrequently, around every 10-14 days to keep soils moisture at an even level
Light:
Medium, filtered sunlight. Easily scorched by direct light
Humidity:
Average household humidity.
Heat:
Stable room temperature, intolerant to temperatures below 55.
Soil:
Loose draining soil, slightly acidic, standard house plant mix, added coconut bark.
Fertilizer:
Fertilize during spring months, around once a month.
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Elephant Ear (Colocasia)
Fussy/Not beginner friendly
Watering:
Water regularly, soil should be evenly moist but not saturated. Water as soon as soil feels a little dry.
Light:
Bright, Indirect sunlight. Too little causes yellowing.
Humidity:
High humidity, likes to be misted regularly
Heat:
Medium to high temperatures, will not survive temperatures below 50 degrees, very draft intolerant.
Soil:
Loose draining soil, slightly acidic, standard house plant mix, added peat moss and perlite.
Fertilizer:
Fertilize around once a month in every season apart from Winter.
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Ficus Lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig)
Tricky/Not beginner friendly
Watering:
Whenever top 2 inches are dry, water until the water runs out the bottom. Prone to root rot so don’t water carelessly.
Light:
50% Bright, direct sunlight. 50% Bright, indirect sunlight.
Humidity:
Medium/moderate humidity. Mist only on new leaves. Avoid placing near Radiators.
Heat:
Medium to high temperatures, will not survive temperatures below 50 degrees, very draft intolerant. No dry heat- avoid placing near radiators.
Soil:
Loose draining soil, neutral or slightly alkaline, potting mix high in organic matter , added peat moss and perlite.
Fertilizer:
Fertilize around once a month in every season apart from Winter.
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Gasteria (Ox Tonge)
Easy Hardy/ beginner friendly
Watering:
Succulent- allow soil to almost completely dry out before watering.
Light:
Bright, indirect sunlight.
Humidity:
Average household humidity. Avoid any water on leaves.
Heat:
Average to warm household temperatures. Can deal with temperature drops and draft well.
Soil:
Sandy, rich and well-draining soil. Succulent soil mix.
Fertilizer:
Fertilize only needed once every spring with cactus fertilizer.
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Heart Leaf Philodendron (sweetheart plant)
Easy/ very beginner friendly
Watering:
Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out completely between.
Light:
Bright, diffused sunlight. Will tolerate low light.
Humidity:
Can tolerate quite dry air, but optimal conditions are 40% humidity.
Heat:
Grow quickly in warm environments.
Soil:
Loose well drained potting mix, high in organic matter. Will also grow in sphagnum moss.
Fertilizer:
Fertilize every 3-4 weeks in spring and summer months.
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Ivy- English Variety (Hedra Helix)
Easy/ very beginner friendly
Watering:
Water once the soil is dry at a depth of ½ an inch. Drought Tolerant.
Light:
Medium, filtered sunlight. Will tolerate both low and high levels.
Humidity:
Moderate Humidity preferable but will tolerate low levels.
Heat:
Thrive in slightly cool temperature but can become frost bitten if left in a cold windowsill.
Soil:
Best in rich generic houseplant potting soil.
Fertilizer:
Very Diluted generic fertilizer applied monthly.
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Juncus Spiralis (Corkscrew Rush)
Fussy/ Somewhat beginner friendly
Watering:
Keep soil evenly moist, only allowing the top 2 inches to dry between watering. Underwatering
these plants quickly results in crispy leaves. Difficult to overwater.
Light:
High, direct sunlight. Will tolerate some indirect light
Humidity:
High Humidity. Benefits from both a regular mist and humid environment.
Heat:
Average warm room temperatures. Intolerant of Heat and Cold.
Soil:
Regular potting soil, with plenty of compost if available. Prefer more acidic soil.
Fertilizer:
Fertilize with all-purpose once a month in spring and summer, reduce this
by half in winter and Autumn
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Kalanchoe (Chandelier Pant)
Very Easy/ Beginner friendly
Watering:
Only water once top 2 inches are dry, as this is a succulent the leaves
will become mushy when over watered.
Light:
High, direct sunlight. Will tolerate some indirect light but cannot live in low light.
Humidity:
Regular to low household humidity, cannot handle high humidity.
Heat:
Average warm room temperatures. Intolerant of Heat and Cold.
Soil:
Sandy Rich succulent Soil Mix.
Fertilizer:
Fertilize only needed once every spring with cactus fertilizer.
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Lady Palm (Raphis Excelsa)
Very Easy/ Beginner friendly
Watering:
Needs to be watered on average 2/3 times per week, or when the top 2 inches are dry. Drought
tolerant. Can tell the plant is underwatered if the leaves begin to crisp.
Light:
Bright, indirect sunlight. Will tolerate bright and low light for short periods.
Humidity:
Humidity of 50% or higher. Misting leaves regularly keeps them lush and prevents browning.
Heat:
Average warm room temperatures. Intolerant of Heat and Cold.
Soil:
Loose and Loamy soil is preferred. This can be achieved by mixing peat moss and coconut bark in
with an all-purpose potting mix. Will also thrive in African Violet Potting mix.
Fertilizer:
Feed only in summer once or twice using half strength general purpose or palm focused fertilizer
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Monstera (Cheese Plant)
Easy/ Beginner friendly
Watering:
Water Monstera once the top half is dry, else the leaves begin to drop and curl. Water thoroughly
until the soil is evenly moist and water runs through the bottom of drainage holes.
Light:
Bright, indirect sunlight. Will also tolerate bright direct
light, when placed in an east facing window.
Humidity:
Humidity of around 40%, loves leaves to be misted regularly
and would benefit from a humid environment.
Heat:
Warm indoor temperature, intolerant of temperature below 60 degrees.
Soil:
Prefer a slightly acidic soil with great drainage. Would benefit
from adding peat moss or coco coir and perlite.
Fertilizer:
Every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer. Cut back on this during winter
and Autumn months
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Nerve Plant (Fittonia)
Difficult Sensitive/ Not beginner friendly
Watering:
Water as soon as the soil surface begins to dry, but do not drench. Dies very quickly if
not watered. Do not get any water on leaves as they will also die quickly and are notoriously sensitive and
fussy with their watering routine. This pant needs to be watched.
Light:
Low to Medium light levels. Though also thrives in a sunny window for short periods of time.
Humidity:
Prefers a very humid environment, levels of around 60-70%. Ideal for a terrarium.
However never directly spray or mist the leaves.
Heat:
Optimum temperature is around 70 degrees. Very intolerant of draft and dry air.
Soil:
Prefer a peat-based soil, but also has great results with an African Potting Mix. Sand
can also be mix to soil to keep it nice and loose and aerated around the roots.
Fertilizer:
Fertilise weekly during spring and summer with all purpose,
but dilute to half the recommended amount.
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Orchid (Orchidacease)
Moderately Easy/ Somewhat beginner friendly
Watering:
Water with lukewarm water, till thoroughly wet through, then allow to drain for 15 minutes.
Generally, around twice a week in spring and once a week for the rest of the year
Light:
Bright, Indirect light. Full sun will quickly scorch orchid flowers and leaves.
Humidity:
Prefers a somewhat humid environment, levels of around 60-70%. Benefits from mist sprayed on the leaves.
Heat:
Regular room temperatures and are quite hardly too heat and cold. Some varieties need a period in the cold before they bloom in spring.
Soil:
Very fussy about soil as their roots need a lot of aeration. all purpose but dilute to half the recommended amount.
All-purpose potting soil is too dense and it’s best to get an orchid potting mix.
Fertilizer:
Fertilise at least once monthly with a specialised orchid fertilizer. Or even better a diluted mix weekly.
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Pothos (Devils Ivy)
Hardy Very Easy/ Beginner friendly
Watering:
Every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out between watering. Increase how often watered as light increases.
Light:
Bright, Indirect light. Will tolerate low and medium light.
Humidity:
Prefers a somewhat humid environment, levels of around 60-70%. However, will adjust to low humidity levels.
Heat:
Needs to be kept consistently above temperatures of 50 degrees. Will withstand lower temperatures but will grow poorly.
Soil:
Prefers slightly acidic soil. Do not like to sit in damp soil, so mix in plenty of perlite or coco coir to a regular potting mix.
Fertilizer:
Fertilise at once monthly during spring and summer, but non during winter and Autumn
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Queen, Silver (Aglonema)
Hardy Very Easy/ Beginner friendly
Watering:
Water the soil regularly, whenever the surface feels dry, keeping consistently moist.
Slightly decrease frequency in Winter
Light:
Low, medium, or high indirect light. Will adjust to anything, but will scorch in direct light.
Humidity:
Can survive in low humidity, but prefers a higher humidity, especially during winter months.
Heat:
Prefers temperatures of around 60/70 degrees. Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.
Soil:
Prefers a rich peaty potting soil.
Fertilizer:
Only needs a light application of diluted fertiliser in summer months, otherwise can survive without as prefers a nutrient rich soil.
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Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastics)
Easy/Beginner friendly Plant
Watering:
Keep consistently moist but never soggy. This means watering every 1 or 2 weeks,
increasing the frequency of water as light increases.
Light:
Bright, Indirect light. Will tolerate some lower light.
Humidity:
Don’t like dry environments, however, don’t require tones of humidity. Preferring a level of
around 40-50%. Like their leaves to be regularly sprayed.
Heat:
Optimum heat for this plant is between 60 and 78 degrees. Don’t handle cold or consistent drafts well
Soil:
Like a well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Will thrive when peat moss, perlite and some sand is added to a general potting mix.
Fertilizer:
Fertilize every 1- or 2-weeks during spring and summer, decreasing in lower light conditions.
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Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)
Easy Hardy/Beginner friendly Plant
Watering:
Best to water around once a week, checking if 50% of topsoil is dry first. Likes to be neglected
occasionally and soil left to dry for extra time. Hate to be over watered.
Light:
Bright, Indirect light. Will tolerate some lower light.
Humidity:
Will tolerate low humidity environments, however, do prefer levels of 60% or higher. Brown leaf tips could be an
indication that humidity is too low, to combat this, regularly spray/mist them.
Heat:
Optimum heat for this plant is between 60 and 80 degrees. Don’t handle cold or consistent drafts well
Soil:
Like a well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Very hardy so will thrive in many types of soil, but prefer a loamy
well drained soil, so consider adding perlite to ensure an even level of moisture.
Fertilizer:
Fertilize every 2-weeks during spring and summer, with a more diluted general-purpose fertiliser.
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Trailing Jade (Jade Peperomia)
Easy Hardy/Beginner friendly Plant
Watering:
Hate to be over watered as they are succulents and hold moisture in their leaves.
Water every 2 or 3 weeks but check at least the top 2 inches of topsoil completely dry before watering again.
Light:
Bright, Indirect light. Will tolerate some direct light.
Humidity:
Will be fine with regular indoor humidity levels but could do with an occasional leaf misting.
Heat:
Optimum heat for this plant is between 60 and 80 degrees. Don’t handle cold or consistent
drafts well and cannot survive in temperatures below 40 degrees.
Soil:
Sandy Rich succulent Soil Mix.
Fertilizer:
Does not require fertilizer. At most once or twice a year (summer and spring), with cactus and succulent fertiliser, or when re-potted.
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Umbrella Tree (Schefflera or Heptapleurum)
Easy Low maintenance/Beginner friendly Plant
Watering:
Water thoroughly, till water is draining out of bottom once the soil has
dried out. More tolerant of dry soil than over watering.
Light:
Bright, Indirect light. Will tolerate some direct light, will grow slowly in medium light.
Humidity:
Will be fine with regular indoor humidity levels, however, do thrive in humidity above 60%. May use a humidifier,
as well as regularly misting leaves. Dry conditions encourage pests and mites in this plant.
Heat:
Optimum heat for this plant is between 55 and 75 degrees
Soil:
Like a well-draining, slightly acidic soil. As they are susceptible too root rot, add aeriation too the
roots by adding perlite to a peat based potting mix.
Fertilizer:
Diluted general-purpose fertiliser, once a week during summer, however no during rest of the year.
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Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea Muscipula)
Difficult Sensitive/ Not beginner friendly
Watering:
Water as soon as the soil surface begins to dry, but do not drench. Dies very quickly if
not watered. Do not get any water on leaves as they will also die quickly and are notoriously sensitive and
fussy with their watering routine. This pant needs to be watched.
Light:
Low to Medium light levels. Though also thrives in a sunny window for short periods of time.
Humidity:
Prefers a very humid environment, levels of around 60-70%. Ideal for a terrarium.
However never directly spray or mist the leaves.
Heat:
Optimum temperature is around 70 degrees. Very intolerant of draft and dry air.
Soil:
Prefer a peat-based soil, but also has great results with an African Potting Mix. Sand
can also be mix to soil to keep it nice and loose and aerated around the roots.
Fertilizer:
Fertilise weekly during spring and summer with all purpose,
but dilute to half the recommended amount.
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Walking Iris (Fan Iris)
Somewhat Easy / Beginner friendly Plant
Watering:
When watering, keep an even amount of moisture through pot, whenever top 2 centimetres are
dry during spring and Summer. However, only needs watering around once a month in winter and Autumn, as this flowering plant is dormant during this time.
Light:
Bright, Indirect light or partial sun.
Humidity:
Will be fine with regular indoor humidity levels, however, do thrive in humidity around 40%/50%. May use a humidifier to
encourage healthy growth of tropical pant, but flowers and leaves don’t need misting.
Heat:
Optimum heat for this plant is between 60 and 75 degrees. Not very Cold hardy but can deal with winter temperatures when dormant.
Soil:
It prefers loamy, sandy, or clay soils with acidic pH levels. The rhizomes should be buried 2″ inches deep in the soil and 2′ – 3′ feet apart from each other.
If growing in pots, peat or soil-based mixes are recommended.
Fertilizer:
Feed with general purpose fertilizer every 2 weeks in the summer months. Non needed in Winter and Autumn.
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Xique-Xique Cactus (Philsocereus Gounelli)
Somewhat Easy / Beginner friendly Plant
Watering:
Succulent- allow soil to almost completely dry out before watering.
Light:
Bright, indirect sunlight.
Humidity:
Average household humidity. Avoid any water on leaves.
Heat:
Average to warm household temperatures. Can deal with temperature drops and draft well.
Soil:
Sandy, rich and well-draining soil. Succulent soil mix.
Fertilizer:
Fertilize only needed once every spring with cactus fertilizer.
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Yuca (Spineless Yuca)
Somewhat Easy / Beginner friendly Plant
Watering:
Can be easily over watered, so let completely dry before re-watering. Or just water the top of plant every 2/3 days. Drought tolerant.
Light:
Bright, direct or indirect sunlight.
Humidity:
Will be fine with regular indoor humidity levels, however the leaves like to be occasionally misted.
Heat:
Regular household heat is fine. Cold hardy in winter, but ensure heat increases in summer and spring for plant to grow.
Soil:
Fine with regular all-purpose potting soil, may benefit from adding perlite and sand to promote drainage to prevent root rot.
Fertilizer:
Every 3 months in summer and spring with palm focused fertilizer.
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Zebrina Tradescantia (Wandering Dude)
Easy / Beginner friendly Plant
Watering:
Once a week when top inch of soil is dry.
Light:
Bright, indirect sunlight. You can tell when light Is insufficient quickly as stripes and bright colours begin to fade.
Humidity:
Thrives in high humidity so would benefit from a humidifier or regular misting leaves. Bathroom conditions are great for this plant.
Heat:
Regular household heat is fine but prefers temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees. Not very cold hardy.
Soil:
Fine with regular all-purpose potting soil, however ad peat moss, perlite and sand for the required root aeration and drainage.
Fertilizer:
Once a month from spring right through till Autumn with half diluted fertiliser.
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