You’ve decided to take the plunge…into Plant Parenthood. Congratulations! Caring for plants can be fulfilling. With each new leaf or bud you’ll feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. But where do you start?

We asked our experts what tried and true advice they give to all plant parents.

Adopting:

Know your plant’s living conditions.

Start by taking a look at how much natural light your space has. Does your room have a window? Does the sun shine directly through it? Is there space away from the window that your plant could live?  Answer a few of these questions before heading to the store.

For corners, hallways, bathrooms, or a space without access to natural light, select a low light plant. Plants like ZZ, Pothos and Chinese Evergreen are great options.

Most rooms have medium light. The room has a window, but that plant will live away from it. The good thing is, most plants are suitable for these conditions.

If your plant will be living in front of a window, you’ll want to select a plant that can handle bright light like Palms and Ferns.

Watch our video, Best Plants for Your Home’s Lighting for more information.

Color or Green

Pops of color or variations of greens are your color options for your new plant. If you’re choosing a plant for color, consider Bromeliads, Anthuriums or Orchids.

Variegated plants like Cortons and Calathea come in greens, purples and reds.

Level of care

Be realistic about how much time and energy you have to care for your plant. Some require attention every day, while others thrive on neglect.

Low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants like Pothos and ZZ are very forgiving and will bounce back quickly if they miss getting watered.

Cactus and Succulents are another drought-tolerant option. These require little care and come in a variety of sizes and colors.

Plants like Palms, Ficus and Peace Lilies need a bit more care and should be checked daily and watered more often.

Watch our video, Proper House Plant Care for more information.

Care:

Watering amounts vary depending on the type of plant and your homes conditions, so knowing what to look for will help you be successful. Because plants can’t audibly let you know when they are thirsty or hungry, you’ll need to learn the signs. Some plants start to droop or have saggy leaves when they need water. Others may have lighter soil color or the soil starts to pull away from the pot.

Use the finger test to determine when it’s time to water. Press your finger into the soil about an inch, if the soil is dry, water thoroughly. Water the soil, not the leaves, until water runs out the bottom of the pot.

Watch our video, House Plant Watering Tips for more information.

Know the little things:

Feed it.

Plants need food too, not just water. Using a water-soluble fertilizer every few months will help your plant stay healthy.

Dress it up.

Choosing a decorative pot is a great way to match your décor. Your pot should have drainage holes in the bottom since plants do not like to sit in water.  Drop-in pots or pot covers (when you keep the plant in the original container and drop it in its new pot) are great decorative options. New plants shouldn’t be repotted until they outgrow their current pot. When roots start growing through the bottom of the original it’s time to repot.

Keep it safe.

Keep your plant away from drafty windows or heat vents. Extreme temperatures can prevent them from thriving, and can also affect how much water they need.

Spoil it.

Plants love humidity. Using a humidifier or pebble tray (placing a bowl of pebbles filled with water) near your plants can make a huge difference in their success.

Well-rounded plants are happy plants.

Rotating your plant a quarter turn every week will help it grow more evenly.

Visit any English Gardens location where our experts can answer all your new plant parenting questions and help choose the perfect fit for your growing family