Plant Care Basics

Pots, soil, repotting and the routines that keep plants healthy.

A pair of hands mixes potting soil, white perlite and chunks of pine bark in a large bowl on a newspaper-covered kitchen table, with a plant waiting to be repotted nearby in natural window light.

Potting Soil for Houseplants: What to Use and When to Mix Your Own

Use a light, well-draining potting mix for houseplants, never garden soil. Learn what's in standard mix and how to adjust it for aroids and succulents.

9 min read

A young woman crouches on the floor of a bright apartment living room checking the drainage hole on a newly bought monstera, with empty pots and an unlabeled bag of potting soil beside her in natural window light.

Houseplant Care for Beginners: The 5 Things That Matter Most

Master houseplant care with the 5 things that matter most: light, water, drainage, soil and humidity, plus a weekly routine and beginner mistakes to avoid.

9 min read

Several empty pots in different materials lined up on a wooden table—a terracotta pot, a white glazed ceramic pot, and a plastic nursery pot, with one turned over to show the drainage hole, lit by soft natural side light in a realistic photo.

How to Choose the Right Pot (Size, Material and Drainage)

Pick the right pot for your houseplant: why drainage holes matter, terracotta vs plastic vs ceramic, sizing up only 1-2 inches, and using cachepots safely.

8 min read